You Ain’t Nothing But a Hound Dog
Many people believe Elvis was the one who sung the song first, but he wasn’t. A black woman by the named Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton originally sung the song. I got to hear this version of the song while in my African-American Arts class. And, I have to say that I found this version better than the watered-down version that Elvis sung. ‘Big Mama’ sung the song with such heart and that you feel it.
Sadly, like many black singers of that time period, white singers covered songs that black singers established. Big Mama’s version didn’t become the hit that the Elvis song became.
Doesn't surprise me at all, considering the influence gospel had on Elvis' style.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, plus Elvis when around many black churches and studied the style.
ReplyDeleteTo give Elvis credit, he did have a more soulful style when he performed for concert, but was forced to tone it down for TV.