Hound Dog – The Sound of One Hand Typing

So, in my last Battle of the Bands, I chose Lieber and Stoller’s “Hound Dog” as the song and two artists, Big Mama Thornton and Elvis Presley, who had #1 hits with it. Big Mama’s version topped the R&B chart in 1953, Elvis topped the Pop chart in 1956.

No surprise on the final tally:

Elvis Presley: 11
Big Mama Thornton: 6

The vote tally includes my vote, for Big Mama Thornton. I had never heard her version of the song before my Lieber & Stoller post, and as great as Elvis’s version is, I thought hers was more fun to listen to.

Anyway, congratulations to Elvis, and I’m sure both these artists will be contestants in a future battle.

The next battle is Tuesday, September 1, and it will mark one year since I started doing Battle of the Bands. Be sure to join me then.

I’m writing this on Sunday, right after putting together my Two for Tuesday featuring the music of Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller.

Both Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton and Elvis Presley had #1 hits with Lieber & Stoller’s “Hound Dog.” Big Mama’s reached #1 on the R&B chart in 1953; Elvis’s reached #1 on both the pop and R&B charts in 1956. I know you’ve heard Elvis, but you might not have heard Big Mama’s, so… your challenge is to tell me which of the two artists did a better job.

CONTESTANT #1: Big Mama Thornton

CONTESTANT #2: Elvis Presley

Now, time to vote…

So, did you like Big Mama’s version of this better, or Elvis’s? Let me know in the comments which you liked better, and why. They’re both outstanding, I think, but let’s hear it from you.

And, when you’ve voted in this battle, how about visiting some of the other people running battles this week as well?

Tossing It Out
Far Away Series
StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands
Your Daily Dose
Mike’s Ramblings
Curious as a Cathy
DC Relief – Battle of the Bands
This Belle Rocks
Book Lover
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Shady Dell Music & Memories
Debbie D. at The Doglady’s Den
Angels Bark
Jingle Jangle Jungle
Women: We Shall Overcome
Cherdo on the Flipside
Holli’s Hoots ‘n’ Hollers
J. A. Scott
Quiet Laughter
NovelBrews