Elvis Presley’s Timeless Hit: The Story Behind ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ (1956)

– The single was released on July 13, 1956, just 11 days after it was recorded. It took just a month to reach #1 in America, topping the chart on August 18. This was a spectacular rise at a time when nationwide distribution was slow, and a signal that Elvis was going to be a sensation. Indeed, for the rest of 1956, Elvis songs were all over the radio and he made numerous TV appearances, doing all the big variety shows. He even made his first movie that year: Love Me Tender.

About The Song

– This song was released as a single with “Hound Dog”. It is the only single in history to have both sides reach number one in the US.
– Otis Blackwell, a writer of this track, came up with many of hits for Elvis Presley including “Return to Sender” “All Shook Up” and “One Broken Heart for Sale”.
– This song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it number 197 on its list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004.

Video

Lyric

You know I can be found,
Sitting home all alone,
If you can’t come around,
At least please telephone.
Don’t be cruel to a heart that’s true.Baby, if I made you mad
For something I might have said,
Please, let’s forget my past,
The future looks bright ahead,
Don’t be cruel to a heart that’s true.
I don’t want no other love,
Baby it’s just you I’m thinking of.

Don’t stop thinking of me,
Don’t make me feel this way,
Come on over here and love me,
You know what I want you to say.
Don’t be cruel to a heart that’s true.
Why should we be apart?
I really love you baby, cross my heart.

Let’s walk up to the preacher
And let us say I do,
Then you’ll know you’ll have me,
And I’ll know that I’ll have you,
Don’t be cruel to a heart that’s true.
I don’t want no other love,
Baby it’s just you I’m thinking of.

Don’t be cruel to a heart that’s true.
Don’t be cruel to a heart that’s true.
I don’t want no other love,
Baby it’s just you I’m thinking of.