"Hound Dog" is a twelve-bar blues song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Recorded originally by Big Mama Thornton on August 13, 1952, in Los Angeles and released by Peacock Records in late February 1953!
Thornton's "Hound Dog" was so popular that it spawned at least ten cover versions of the original before Elvis Presley recorded it in July 1956.[40] One of the earliest covers of Thornton's original was that of Little Esther, who recorded an R&B cover on March 11, 1953 (b/w "Sweet Lips") on Federal Records (Federal 12126) that was released by April. While Federal's trade ads touted this release as the greatest record ever made by Little Esther,[73] in its review on April 11, 1953, Billboard opined: "It fails to build the same excitement of the original."[74]

Within a month of the release of Thornton's "Hound Dog", the following six country cover versions of the song—all credited erroneously to Leiber-Stoller (or Stroller [sic])-Otis—were released on several different labels by white artists:[12]

Jack Turner & his Granger County Gang (RCA 20–5267; 47–5267)[75] (actually Henry D. Haynes on vocals, with his Homer and Jethro partner Kenneth C. Burns on mandolin, with Chet Atkins on lead guitar, Charles Green on bass, and Jerry Byrd on steel guitar),[76] recorded a Rockabilly Boogie or hillbilly Country-Western version[42][77][78] on March 20, 1953, in New York City. After the success of Patti Page's version of the Bob Merrill-penned (How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?, as Homer and Jethro they recorded a parody version, "(How Much Is) That Hound Dog in the Window" (RCA Victor 47–5280) in March that went to number two on the US Country charts, and number 17 on the Billboard national charts.[79][80][81] Billboard noted: "By coincidence or intent, the use of 'hound dog' also recognizes the top r&b record of the moment."[82] After Elvis Presley released his version of "Hound Dog" in 1956, by early November Homer & Jethro released a parody version, "Houn' Dawg" (RCA Victor 6706).[83]
Billy Starr (Imperial 8186)[84][85] This version is described as "a juke joint-honed blend of country and pre-rockabilly raunch".[86]
Eddie Hazelwood (Intro 6069)[87][42] His version "two-steps in honky-tonk style."[12]
Former Hollywood child actress and 1946 National Yodeling champion Betsy Gay (Intro 6070) recorded a hillbilly version with Joe Maphis and Merle Travis at Radio Recorders studio in Los Angeles on March 18, 1953.[88][89][90] Billboard described her recording: "She sings it well, shouting out the lyrics with occasional excitement, tho without the power the tune needs."[91]
Former Texas Playboy band Western swing vocalist Tommy Duncan and the Miller Bros. (Intro 6071)[92] Duncan's version is described as "a smoother, jazzy reading featuring fine guitar and piano contributions."[93]
Cleve Jackson (Jackson Cleveland Toombs) & His Hound Dogs (Herald 6000),[94]
On February 24, 1954, The Cozy Cole All Stars recorded an instrumental version, "Hound Dog