9 Comments
Jan 12Liked by Songs That Saved Your Life

FWIW, Sam Phillips much preferred Big Mama’s original to Elvis’ cover, according to biographer Peter Guralnick. (Elvis’ Hound Dog was released by RCA, not Sun.)

Expand full comment
author

Great point Marcus! The Sam Phillips/Sun Records debacle over this song could be a whole separate post. This song almost made Sun Records go bankrupt!

"Sun Records owner Sam Phillips, after hearing the Thornton hit, quickly re-wrote the lyrics to “Hound Dog.” Phillips’ new lyrics were written from a male perspective. Without changing the melody or chord structure, Phillips called local disc jockey Rufus Thomas to see if he’d be interested in singing the song. Using an arrangement based on the Thornton record, the Rufus Thomas song was a virtual copy, complete with cat meowing and hissing sounds to mimic the barking in the original. “Bear Cat” was also an immediate hit. Released just weeks after the Thornton’s “Hound Dog,” “Bear Cat” raced to the number three spot on the R&B charts.

Peacock Records owner Don Robey was also the owner of Lion Music Publishing Company, with whom Leiber and Stoller signed. Robey originally registered “Hound Dog” listing himself and Thornton as authors, then amended the copyright to credit Leiber, Stoller, and Otis. This was because Otis had falsely told Robey he was a writer of the song and that he had power of attorney for Leiber and Stoller. Leiber and Stoller, who were still in their late teens, had to have their mothers sign the contracts with Lion Music. Robey, like most publishing company owners at the time, had already retained legal services to protect his works; he was quick to contact Phillips regarding the licensing of the song that now belonged to his publishing company. When Phillips refused to respond, Robey filed a lawsuit against Sun Records and Sam Phillips for copyright infringement, requesting royalties and damages. Robey and his company prevailed, and Phillips was required to pay. Sun Records, already in a financially unstable position, could have gone under. It is reported that Phillips was required to pay to Lion 2% of royalties for “Bear Cat” as well as court costs. It is no coincidence that Phillips subsequently decided to sell the Elvis Presley contract to RCA Victor for an estimated $35,000."

Expand full comment

Nobody sang it better than Mama Thornton. Thanks for the video of her singing it. Hit replay. Again.

Expand full comment

Wow. 🤩

Expand full comment

Thank you for restacking this post, Adam. That’s how I found it. What a singer!

Expand full comment

I know! What a find. I'd heard of her, but didn't know a thing about her.

Expand full comment

I just noticed that there is a recent book about her: https://utpress.utexas.edu/9781477321188/

Expand full comment

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Expand full comment

Honestly, this is the best version of this song I've ever heard. It really makes me FEEL something. I've never felt anything with Elvis' version.

Expand full comment