Big Mama Thornton — Hound Dog
Album: Hound Dog - Peacock RecordingsAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2540
Length: 2:48
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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You ain't nothing but a hound dog
Been snoopin' 'round the door
You ain't nothing but a hound dog
Been snoopin' 'round my door
You can wag your tail
But I ain't gonna feed you no more
You told me you was high class
But I could see through that
Yes, you told me you was high class
But I could see through that
And daddy I know
You ain't no real cool cat
You ain't nothing but a hound dog
Been snoopin' 'round the door
You're just an old hound dog
Been snoopin' 'round my door
You can wag your tail
But I ain't gonna feed you no more
You made me feel so blue
You made me weep and moan
You made me feel so blue
Well you made me weep and moan
'Cause you ain't looking for a woman
All you're lookin' for is a home
You ain't nothing but a hound dog
Been snoopin' 'round the door
You ain't nothing but a hound dog
Been snoopin' 'round my door
You can wag your tail
But I ain't gonna feed you no more
Been snoopin' 'round the door
You ain't nothing but a hound dog
Been snoopin' 'round my door
You can wag your tail
But I ain't gonna feed you no more
You told me you was high class
But I could see through that
Yes, you told me you was high class
But I could see through that
And daddy I know
You ain't no real cool cat
You ain't nothing but a hound dog
Been snoopin' 'round the door
You're just an old hound dog
Been snoopin' 'round my door
You can wag your tail
But I ain't gonna feed you no more
You made me feel so blue
You made me weep and moan
You made me feel so blue
Well you made me weep and moan
'Cause you ain't looking for a woman
All you're lookin' for is a home
You ain't nothing but a hound dog
Been snoopin' 'round the door
You ain't nothing but a hound dog
Been snoopin' 'round my door
You can wag your tail
But I ain't gonna feed you no more
Comments (189)add comment
This kicks the shit out of Elvis's rendition!
Mmm, hmm. Big Mama!
vincent7771lebert wrote:
SARCASM? ...eh?
Nice cover!
Mouahaha
SARCASM? ...eh?
haresfur wrote:
To be fair, Elvis was a pasty weak white boy
"Pecunia non olet". But we must whitening this wild N* Music - the born of Rock'n'Roll. Fucking racism.
To be fair, Elvis was a pasty weak white boy
"Pecunia non olet". But we must whitening this wild N* Music - the born of Rock'n'Roll. Fucking racism.
haresfur wrote:
To be fair, Elvis was a pasty weak white boy
White yes. Not sure about weak. At least not the voice. This version is still better.
To be fair, Elvis was a pasty weak white boy
White yes. Not sure about weak. At least not the voice. This version is still better.
Nice cover!
Mouahaha
Mouahaha
Can we have a thought for the 46 people that this was a '1'
We wont talk about the others who gave it less than '5'
They have a different 'hell' to me
We wont talk about the others who gave it less than '5'
They have a different 'hell' to me
You said you was high class, but I seen through that! Amen! 10 nuthin' else!
sqqqrly wrote:
Old blues can be full of understated lines sometimes. One of my favorite ones I read in a Leadbelly songbook is from the song The Water Is Wide (originally an old folksong):
“I leaned my back up against some young oak,
Thinking he was a trusty tree.
But first he bended, and then he broke,
And thus did my false love to me.”
"You can wag your tail
But I ain't gonna feed you no more"
Great line....
Old blues can be full of understated lines sometimes. One of my favorite ones I read in a Leadbelly songbook is from the song The Water Is Wide (originally an old folksong):
“I leaned my back up against some young oak,
Thinking he was a trusty tree.
But first he bended, and then he broke,
And thus did my false love to me.”
I'll say this for all the Elvis haters, and anyone accusing White artists of "appropriating" music. I am thankful these songs were "appropriated' because if they weren't, no one today would have any idea who Big Mama Thornton and her contemporaries were.
Would that be preferable to all you insufferable virtue signalers?
Would that be preferable to all you insufferable virtue signalers?
Dont' piss her off 
cc_rider wrote:
Thank You for the info!
For some interesting historical context, check this out:
https://www.amazon.com/Chitlin...
There are at least two surviving Chitlin' Circuit venues in our county. It is likely Ms. Thornton performed at both.
c.
Thank You for the info!
h8rhater wrote:
I'll never understand the need to slag one artist whilst praising another.
I Agree! Very well stated!
I'll never understand the need to slag one artist whilst praising another.
I Agree! Very well stated!
whatsupdude wrote:
Sure but Elvis is more famous in every country on this earth than anybody. Wonder why that is?
Elvis (and I'm not a big fan) was a terrific singer and oozed charisma onstage. That second aspect can't be underestimated.
Sure but Elvis is more famous in every country on this earth than anybody. Wonder why that is?
Elvis (and I'm not a big fan) was a terrific singer and oozed charisma onstage. That second aspect can't be underestimated.
jgrosch wrote:
I'll never understand the need to slag one artist whilst praising another.
Damn! I think I'm in love. This version makes Elvis look like a pasty, weak white boy.
I'll never understand the need to slag one artist whilst praising another.
For some interesting historical context, check this out:
https://www.amazon.com/Chitlin...
There are at least two surviving Chitlin' Circuit venues in our county. It is likely Ms. Thornton performed at both.
c.
https://www.amazon.com/Chitlin...
There are at least two surviving Chitlin' Circuit venues in our county. It is likely Ms. Thornton performed at both.
c.
Tippster wrote:
No doubt. The anger is what makes it genuine. Elvis' cover was so Vanilla.
I prefer this version as well - it was written for her - but I wouldn't call the Elvis version "vanilla". By today's standards perhaps, it could seem tame, but it was a pretty rocking record in 1956.
No doubt. The anger is what makes it genuine. Elvis' cover was so Vanilla.
I prefer this version as well - it was written for her - but I wouldn't call the Elvis version "vanilla". By today's standards perhaps, it could seem tame, but it was a pretty rocking record in 1956.
ice-9 wrote:
Because it was easier to get rich selling Elvis than Big Mama Thornton. Don't overthink it.
It's easier to make money with Britney Spears than with Renee Fleming too. Wonder why that is?
If I was 30 years younger, I'd had said most people have shitty taste and can't tell a mudslide from a masterpiece. Now I say there's no accounting for taste.
Because it was easier to get rich selling Elvis than Big Mama Thornton. Don't overthink it.
It's easier to make money with Britney Spears than with Renee Fleming too. Wonder why that is?
If I was 30 years younger, I'd had said most people have shitty taste and can't tell a mudslide from a masterpiece. Now I say there's no accounting for taste.
Nineteen and fifty-fucken-one! Wow. Can someone help me out and identify the guitar player on this track. 1951 he was way ahead of the curve.
ExpatLarry wrote:
You bet!
Great record because it has that swing.
You bet!
Great record because it has that swing.
ice-9 wrote:
Because it was easier to get rich selling Elvis than Big Mama Thornton. Don't overthink it.
It's easier to make money with Britney Spears than with Renee Fleming too. Wonder why that is?
You bet!! Unfortunately, too true!!
Because it was easier to get rich selling Elvis than Big Mama Thornton. Don't overthink it.
It's easier to make money with Britney Spears than with Renee Fleming too. Wonder why that is?
You bet!! Unfortunately, too true!!
70+ years on? Damn!
whatsupdude wrote:
Sure but Elvis is more famous in every country on this earth than anybody. Wonder why that is?
Because it was easier to get rich selling Elvis than Big Mama Thornton. Don't overthink it.
It's easier to make money with Britney Spears than with Renee Fleming too. Wonder why that is?
Sure but Elvis is more famous in every country on this earth than anybody. Wonder why that is?
Because it was easier to get rich selling Elvis than Big Mama Thornton. Don't overthink it.
It's easier to make money with Britney Spears than with Renee Fleming too. Wonder why that is?
GREAT!!!
whatsupdude wrote:
Sure but Elvis is more famous in every country on this earth than anybody. Wonder why that is?
I would say racism against black people was a significant factor.
Sure but Elvis is more famous in every country on this earth than anybody. Wonder why that is?
I would say racism against black people was a significant factor.
and 1951 is where it should stay?
GREAT TUNE! Classic! Iconic!
dig a lil deeper on Big Mama
her stuff with Mississippi Fred McDowell is unreal
her stuff with Mississippi Fred McDowell is unreal
kingart wrote:
Sure but Elvis is more famous in every country on this earth than anybody. Wonder why that is?
Sorry, the Elvis cover is no match for this.
Sure but Elvis is more famous in every country on this earth than anybody. Wonder why that is?
The One and Only Big Mama Thornton. Sing it!
jgrosch wrote:
Applies here: "Was it her sweet love or the way that she could sing?"
Damn! I think I'm in love. This version makes Elvis look like a pasty, weak white boy.
Applies here: "Was it her sweet love or the way that she could sing?"
This is so much better than the more famous version (and I like that version too)
Woof!!
Wow. Wow. Wow. So powerful.
Bat wrote:
It just works better with a woman singing about a philandering man - the hound.
Not that philandering doesn't happen in the opposite direction, but the term just seems masculine.
The Elvis version has all of the sex stripped out. "You ain't nothing but a hound dog crying all the time. You ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine". Is there sexual innuendo in there? Only if you say there's sexual innuendo in virtually everything.
Well, all I can say to that is... if you've never had your rabbit caught, then you've no idea how enjoyable it can be!
It just works better with a woman singing about a philandering man - the hound.
Not that philandering doesn't happen in the opposite direction, but the term just seems masculine.
The Elvis version has all of the sex stripped out. "You ain't nothing but a hound dog crying all the time. You ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine". Is there sexual innuendo in there? Only if you say there's sexual innuendo in virtually everything.
Well, all I can say to that is... if you've never had your rabbit caught, then you've no idea how enjoyable it can be!
Bat wrote:
It just works better with a woman singing about a philandering man - the hound.
Not that philandering doesn't happen in the opposite direction, but the term just seems masculine.
The Elvis version has all of the sex stripped out. "You ain't nothing but a hound dog crying all the time. You ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine". Is there sexual innuendo in there? Only if you say there's sexual innuendo in virtually everything.
Yes, and no :) Robert Palmer's version of "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On" was originally recorded by a woman. Palmer wrote in the liner notes of his hits CD vol.2 that he thought it would be more interesting to have the song sung my a man, and his version was really cool for the way the tables were turned in the song.
I always thought of Elvis's "Hound Dog" as an utterly failed seduction, more a song lamenting rejection by the woman he's singing about, a kind of hurt response to it. Never thought of it as particularly sexy for that reason.
It just works better with a woman singing about a philandering man - the hound.
Not that philandering doesn't happen in the opposite direction, but the term just seems masculine.
The Elvis version has all of the sex stripped out. "You ain't nothing but a hound dog crying all the time. You ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine". Is there sexual innuendo in there? Only if you say there's sexual innuendo in virtually everything.
Yes, and no :) Robert Palmer's version of "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On" was originally recorded by a woman. Palmer wrote in the liner notes of his hits CD vol.2 that he thought it would be more interesting to have the song sung my a man, and his version was really cool for the way the tables were turned in the song.
I always thought of Elvis's "Hound Dog" as an utterly failed seduction, more a song lamenting rejection by the woman he's singing about, a kind of hurt response to it. Never thought of it as particularly sexy for that reason.
Bat wrote:
It just works better with a woman singing about a philandering man - the hound.
Not that philandering doesn't happen in the opposite direction, but the term just seems masculine. . . .
Agreed. Good point.
(All due respect to Elvis.)
It just works better with a woman singing about a philandering man - the hound.
Not that philandering doesn't happen in the opposite direction, but the term just seems masculine. . . .
Agreed. Good point.
(All due respect to Elvis.)
I remember her at Mariposa in the early 70s. I'd never heard of her before. I think we were all gobsmacked.
Elvis Presley. Classic, all-time, (would you say timeless?) irreplaceable, American rock and roll. And: a southern white fellow singing (predominantly) African American r & b with often romantic/sexual pelvic and mildly rebellious connotations to a (predominatly) white and female audience, making many millions for his handlers, Ed Sullivan, himself and others but not inspiring riots. HIs cover of this is bleached and almost bland by comparison. And 1951? Beat Rock Around the Clock by years. Someone was running late.
"You can wag your tail
But I ain't gonna feed you no more"
Great line....
But I ain't gonna feed you no more"
Great line....
For your amusing consideration:
http://www.cc.com/video-clips/rtkelu/the-daily-show-with-trevor-noah-shafted--willie-mae-thornton-s--hound-dog-
http://www.cc.com/video-clips/rtkelu/the-daily-show-with-trevor-noah-shafted--willie-mae-thornton-s--hound-dog-
jgrosch wrote:
Precisely why I recognize Elvis as a great cultural icon and full of charisma. But a harmless vanilla white dude singing like a harmless vanilla white dude never enthralled me.
Damn! I think I'm in love. This version makes Elvis look like a pasty, weak white boy.
Precisely why I recognize Elvis as a great cultural icon and full of charisma. But a harmless vanilla white dude singing like a harmless vanilla white dude never enthralled me.
jgrosch wrote:
To be fair, Elvis was a pasty weak white boy
Damn! I think I'm in love. This version makes Elvis look like a pasty, weak white boy.
To be fair, Elvis was a pasty weak white boy
Bat wrote:
It just works better with a woman singing about a philandering man - the hound.
Not that philandering doesn't happen in the opposite direction, but the term just seems masculine.
The Elvis version has all of the sex stripped out. "You ain't nothing but a hound dog crying all the time. You ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine". Is there sexual innuendo in there? Only if you say there's sexual innuendo in virtually everything.
Uh hound dogs come in two sexes.
It just works better with a woman singing about a philandering man - the hound.
Not that philandering doesn't happen in the opposite direction, but the term just seems masculine.
The Elvis version has all of the sex stripped out. "You ain't nothing but a hound dog crying all the time. You ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine". Is there sexual innuendo in there? Only if you say there's sexual innuendo in virtually everything.
Uh hound dogs come in two sexes.
How could anyone rate this less than 10?
Isabeau wrote:
No doubt. The anger is what makes it genuine. Elvis' cover was so Vanilla.
Oh baby bettah than Elvis! 
No doubt. The anger is what makes it genuine. Elvis' cover was so Vanilla.
OH YEAH!!! 
10 for me
Oh baby bettah than Elvis!
HECK YEAH!!! 
kingart wrote:
Lieber and Stoller wrote it specifically for her. In an interview with them, they said when they gave it to her, she sang it like a dirge at first. Wha? Once they got her rockin' it, well, you know the rest.
I'm sure Colonel Parker insisted it be cleaned up before Elvis recorded it. Couldn't risk further alienating white parents, who were already terrified of what 'The Devil's Music' was doing to their kids...
c.
Sorry, the Elvis cover is no match for this.
Lieber and Stoller wrote it specifically for her. In an interview with them, they said when they gave it to her, she sang it like a dirge at first. Wha? Once they got her rockin' it, well, you know the rest.
I'm sure Colonel Parker insisted it be cleaned up before Elvis recorded it. Couldn't risk further alienating white parents, who were already terrified of what 'The Devil's Music' was doing to their kids...
c.
HOWLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
kingart wrote:
It just works better with a woman singing about a philandering man - the hound.
Not that philandering doesn't happen in the opposite direction, but the term just seems masculine.
The Elvis version has all of the sex stripped out. "You ain't nothing but a hound dog crying all the time. You ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine". Is there sexual innuendo in there? Only if you say there's sexual innuendo in virtually everything.
Sorry, the Elvis cover is no match for this.
It just works better with a woman singing about a philandering man - the hound.
Not that philandering doesn't happen in the opposite direction, but the term just seems masculine.
The Elvis version has all of the sex stripped out. "You ain't nothing but a hound dog crying all the time. You ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine". Is there sexual innuendo in there? Only if you say there's sexual innuendo in virtually everything.
kingart wrote:
must say I agree. grabs you by the throat from the first note.
Sorry, the Elvis cover is no match for this.
must say I agree. grabs you by the throat from the first note.
Sorry, the Elvis cover is no match for this.
1951! Hell ya!
Bat wrote:
"Otis...my man!"
I believe that this is Johnny Otis and his band backing. How about a song or two by Otis himself?
"Otis...my man!"
Sweet groove and sweet guitar playing.
AAAAAAA-WOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH!!! Godlike R+R : )
I believe that this is Johnny Otis and his band backing. How about a song or two by Otis himself?
Billie Jean
This is why I like Radio paradise!
PSD gods smiled on me, i'm here from Dave Matthews
the Elvis version of this never made sense to me
the Elvis version of this never made sense to me
Damn! I think I'm in love. This version makes Elvis look like a pasty, weak white boy.
Big Mama beats Elvis anyday........even Fat Elvis.
Love it!Nothing against Big Mama, I just like Elvis' rendition much better.
Big Mama's great voice makes me remember the after-hours joint in "Devil in a Blue Dress", Franklin captures that wicked spirit, Aaawooooo!!!
Devil in a Blue Dress is a 1995 American noir detective film directed by Carl Franklin andphotographed by Tak Fujimoto. The film is based on Walter Mosley's novel of the same nameand features Denzel Washington, Tom Sizemore, Jennifer Beals, and Don Cheadle.
Devil in a Blue Dress is a 1995 American noir detective film directed by Carl Franklin andphotographed by Tak Fujimoto. The film is based on Walter Mosley's novel of the same nameand features Denzel Washington, Tom Sizemore, Jennifer Beals, and Don Cheadle.
BBBBLLLLEEEECCCHHHH!!!!
Love it! This is the first time I've heard it and she rocks the song! Her original interpretation is far better than the rockabilly version covered by that now-departed gentleman. An 8 right out of the box.
Don't get me wrong. Elvis has been my idol ever since I (as a young and impressionable teenager) saw him before a concert he did in Daytona Beach in '57 (or thereabouts, my memory is getting hazy). He stayed in a beachfront motel right across the street from my good boyhood chum's parents' restaurant. My pal and I got to sit in the same booth and have hamburgers and Cokes with him the afternoon before the concert.
Don't get me wrong. Elvis has been my idol ever since I (as a young and impressionable teenager) saw him before a concert he did in Daytona Beach in '57 (or thereabouts, my memory is getting hazy). He stayed in a beachfront motel right across the street from my good boyhood chum's parents' restaurant. My pal and I got to sit in the same booth and have hamburgers and Cokes with him the afternoon before the concert.
oldfart48 wrote:
That's mainly a function of performing at concerts and building a following, it is a lot of work. Just because you write something does not mean you deserve ALL the money made from the song.
This is the one Elvis covered.....made HIM rich......
That's mainly a function of performing at concerts and building a following, it is a lot of work. Just because you write something does not mean you deserve ALL the money made from the song.
........ luv it - must be "Outstanding" AndyJ wrote:
Isn't that how this was recorded?
Sounds like friends or at least friendly strangers playing and drinking in a makeshift bar on a sultry afternoon...
Just walk in and get a beer and maybe borrow a guitar from behind the bar...
good place to be while the heat of the day passes
Just walk in and get a beer and maybe borrow a guitar from behind the bar...
good place to be while the heat of the day passes
Isn't that how this was recorded?
AndyJ wrote:
..and maybe a little barefoot shimmying thrown in there. Sing it, Mama, sing it!
Sounds like friends or at least friendly strangers playing and drinking in a makeshift bar on a sultry afternoon...
Just walk in and get a beer and maybe borrow a guitar from behind the bar...
good place to be while the heat of the day passes
Just walk in and get a beer and maybe borrow a guitar from behind the bar...
good place to be while the heat of the day passes
..and maybe a little barefoot shimmying thrown in there. Sing it, Mama, sing it!
Clark_Novato wrote:
welcome to the real world......
Great rendition. First time I heard it. This is what I love about RP.
welcome to the real world......
This is the one Elvis covered.....made HIM rich......
sending good vibe your way Sharon - beat this shit!
Sounds like friends or at least friendly strangers playing and drinking in a makeshift bar on a sultry afternoon...
Just walk in and get a beer and maybe borrow a guitar from behind the bar...
good place to be while the heat of the day passes
Just walk in and get a beer and maybe borrow a guitar from behind the bar...
good place to be while the heat of the day passes
gallardo wrote:
I wonder how many know that Elvis sung a cover, not his own composition. I for sure didn't until I heard this, and IMO it's a definite improvement on Elvis's cover. Plus the lyrics make a heck of a lot more sense when sung by a woman about a man. Thanks for digging out this gem and enlightening me, RP. 8 from the Nottingham jury.
Oh yeah! The very best! Like it better that Elvis version,
I wonder how many know that Elvis sung a cover, not his own composition. I for sure didn't until I heard this, and IMO it's a definite improvement on Elvis's cover. Plus the lyrics make a heck of a lot more sense when sung by a woman about a man. Thanks for digging out this gem and enlightening me, RP. 8 from the Nottingham jury.
Oh yeah! The very best! Like it better that Elvis version,
Respectfully speaking
Clark_Novato wrote:
Maybe the best. I think Lieber and Stoller wrote it with her in mind. Everybody else is a pale imitation.
Get it? Pale? Elvis was white.
Great rendition. First time I heard it. This is what I love about RP.
Maybe the best. I think Lieber and Stoller wrote it with her in mind. Everybody else is a pale imitation.
Get it? Pale? Elvis was white.
Wonderful. In retrospect, as I get older, I learn to like lots of artist I summarily dismissed at a younger age: Elvis isn't one of them. He didn't touch Big Mama with his version.
Great rendition. First time I heard it. This is what I love about RP.
bam23 wrote:
Exactly. I never rated Elvis and never could understand the fuss. However I will concede he opened the door through to rock and roll. . .
Truly, whatever one thinks about Elvis, his attempt at this song is so much less authentic.
Exactly. I never rated Elvis and never could understand the fuss. However I will concede he opened the door through to rock and roll. . .
Makes Elivis sound like a white guy.
Absofrickinlutely amazing. Love the little barkin' and howlin' tucked inside.
nagsheadlocal wrote:
This is SO good....
The real thing. The whole cloth. The well from which all else springs.
Man, imagine seeing this live at about 2 am in a roadhouse somewhere in the South, the whole place shaking.
Man, imagine seeing this live at about 2 am in a roadhouse somewhere in the South, the whole place shaking.
This is SO good....Volume up... WAY up!
They should have added this song to the "A Soldier's Story " soundtrack.
lmic wrote:
Boy, this song makes a lot more sense when sung by a woman!
True that! this is smokin' - love it
Boy, this song makes a lot more sense when sung by a woman!
True that! this is smokin' - love it
If this song were recorded today by any good blues band, the drumming would be heavy on the 4/4 time and the backbeat. What I love about this version is the rolling drum line—something Greg Elmore adopted with Quicksilver's Bo Diddly remakes ("Mona," "Who Do You Love"). Mick Fleetwood's early work also incorporates this style. Very cool.
The real thing. The whole cloth. The well from which all else springs.
Man, imagine seeing this live at about 2 am in a roadhouse somewhere in the South, the whole place shaking.
Man, imagine seeing this live at about 2 am in a roadhouse somewhere in the South, the whole place shaking.
Yassss! Loving this version!
Love this. It's got real guts. Anyone heard the Etta James version? Same style, but the rhythm has a little more swing.
" "Hound Dog" is a twelve-bar blues written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and originally recorded by Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton in 1952. Other early versions illustrate the differences among blues, country, and rock and roll in the mid 1950s. The 1956 remake by Elvis Presley is the best known version. This is the version that is #19 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time"
"Hound Dog"
" Actually, it was Big Mama Thornton's song before it was anybody else's. Lieber and Stoller wrote it.
Love Lennon's response when he was pressed for a quote when Elvis died: "He died when he went into the army."
right own.......right own......right own!!!
Great—another weird cover.
Kidding! 9 from me.
Kidding! 9 from me.
I like this! Keeps me moving !!!Rated it a 7 but i am going to 8, i guess!
Yeow!
oh yeah!!!I just kicked myself for having rated this a 7. It is clearly NOT a 7. 
9
9
Truly, whatever one thinks about Elvis, his attempt at this song is so much less authentic.
another reason to love RP! i had never heard this before,(much to my chagrin) and it is a much better song sung by a woman....drink up big mama!
solid 8 the roots of rock and roll.....are so deepLearn about the blues.
zipper wrote:
zipper wrote:
I cannot comprehend how this was ranked by anyone anywhere from 1 to 6.
WTF is wrong with you people?
WTF is wrong with you people?
Love this version!! The style of music & Big Mama's style of singing fits it better than Elvis's version, IMO.
Alifreckles50 wrote:
Boy, this song makes a lot more sense when sung by a woman!
Elvis who?
Boy, this song makes a lot more sense when sung by a woman!
Elvis who?
that sucked
cc_rider wrote:
Story about Willie Mae:
A buddy of mine, now deceased, was one of the unofficial chauffers for The Armadillo. He picked up Big Mama at the airport and took her around town all weekend. Made dinner at his house, etc.
She drank up every drop of alcohol in his house: first the liquor and beer, then the cough medicine, then the vanilla extract, then the Lavoris. He had to restock the entire house after she left. Said she was a wonderful woman though; loved his home cooking even though he was a scrawny little white boy.
His penmanship appears on the cover of 'Mighty Crazy' with Big Mama and Lightin' Hopkins. Lightin' was a big fan of his victuals as well.
c.
Cool story.
peyotecoyote wrote:
Oh, yeah, her voice alone just makes me quiver and shake...SO GOOD! This is why I love RP!
Me too. Sensational!
Darlington wrote:
I wouldn't really call Elvis a "nice lilly white" singer nor would I put him in the same class as Pat Boone. For a great insight into the early Elvis, Peter Guralnick's two volume biography of Elvis, especially the first volume, is very insightful/educational. A very good read.
You're right, Elvis and Pat were different. I haven't read the book you mention, but I do know that Elvis grew up as poor white in the South, which put him socially closer to Blacks of the day, thus he was able to articulate Black music much more truthfully. Boone was just a product devised by the record industry.
Heard an interview with Lieber (or was it Stoller?) a few years ago. Said when they took Big Mama the song, she started to sing it slow and low, like a funeral dirge or something. They said no, it needed to be hot and uptempo. One of them got on the piano and started it up, and she jumped in full force. Instant Classic.
Nothing better than Willie Mae's version. All the covers are pale imitations (pun intended). I would consider Robert Palmer's version an 'homage' rather than 'cover'. A rather fine distinction though...
c.
mesham wrote:
Yep. Leiber and Stoller could barely recognize Elvis's version of the lyrics, which itself was a cop of the cover by Freddie Bell and the Bellboys, who kinda garbled the words up themselves. Only Big Mama sang the song as written.
Wow, I've never heard this original before, but this song suddenly makes so much more sense.
Yep. Leiber and Stoller could barely recognize Elvis's version of the lyrics, which itself was a cop of the cover by Freddie Bell and the Bellboys, who kinda garbled the words up themselves. Only Big Mama sang the song as written.
I cannot comprehend how this was ranked by anyone anywhere from 1 to 6.
WTF is wrong with you people?
This kicks the shit out of Elvis's rendition!
It is very different. Glad we have BOTH!