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MUHL 2622: Popular Music in America Worksheet #2

DUE: by 5:00 p.m. 2/15/18

Read SW pp. 231-234, 247-254, and 268-274. Study the lyrics and listen to the recordings of “Hound Dog” by Big Mama Thornton (1953) and Elvis Presley (1956). Answer the following questions. Complete lyrics to each version can be found after the questions. - “Hound Dog,” written by Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller; performed by Big Mama Thornton (1953) Dashboard; https://youtu.be/yoHDrzw-RPg - “Hound Dog,” performed by Elvis Presley (1956) https://youtu.be/-eHJ12Vhpyc 1. Describe the form of the basic musical unit of both versions of this song. In Thornton’s version, this unit covers the text from “You ain’t nothing…” to “feed you no more” and is repeated for each stanza. Presley’s version uses the same basic unit. What traits help you to identify this form? (3 points) The form used for both versions of this song is 12-bar blues. Some traits that help me to identify this form are: first line takes four bars, as well as the remaining two lines, for a total of twelve bars and the lead phrases – which come in threes, do not coincide with the above three lines or sections. 2. Compare and contrast the form of each song as a whole. How does Presley’s version alter the form of the original and what effect do those changes have? (3 points) Both songs are in a 12-bar blues format. Thornton's "Hound Dog" had none of the honking saxophone solos or pounding piano flourishes that were typical of the R&B sound. Thornton created her version that was supported by guitar, bass and drums. Presley’s version alters the form of the original by using Bell's vocal arrangement, which changes the emotional effect by also including his own blues version, at half speed. 3. In what ways do the lyrics of Thornton’s version reflect the song’s rhythm & blues roots? How do the lyrics portray the role of the woman in this relationship? (3 points) Thornton’s lyrics reflect the songs included in the R&B roots because it had a 12-bar format. Thornton maintains a confident attitude, bringing the blues tradition of outspoken women into the R&B roots.

4. Besides the formal elements discussed above, what musical traits help identify Thornton’s version as an example of rhythm & blues? (Consider instruments, vocal style, performance style, etc.) (3 points) Thornton created her version that was supported by guitar, bass and drums, her vocal style was having a confident attitude bringing the blues tradition of outspoken women into the R&B world. 5. HOW and WHY does Presley’s version of “Hound Dog” change the lyrics of the original? (3 points) Presley’s version alters the form of the original by using Bell's vocal arrangement, which changes the emotional effect by also including his own blues version, at half speed.

6. Musically, how does Presley’s version reflect the song’s R&B roots while also tempering or changing those traits to create a mainstream rock 'n' roll hit? (3 points) The instruments Presley chose to use changed it from R&B to rock ‘n’ roll! Also, his portrayal in the way he sand the lyrics. 7. Based on what you’ve heard here, how would you briefly summarize the difference between rhythm & blues and rock 'n' roll? (3 points) I would define R&B as jazz music predominantly marketed to the African American audience. I would define rock ‘n’ roll as jazz music predominantly marked to the whites. 8. Define “cover song” or “cover version.” (2 points) I would define “cover song” as a recording of a song that was previously performed by someone else. Like a repeat of a song in your own artisitic way. 9. Describe how Presley’s version of “Hound Dog” fits your definition of a cover song. (2 points) Presley’s version of “Hound Dog” fits my definition of a cover song because he did repeat Thornton’s version in his own artistic way.

LYRICS Original Version, Big Mama Thornton (1953) You ain't nothing but a hound dog Been snoopin' 'round my 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

Version recorded by Elvis Presley (1956) You ain't nothing but a hound dog Crying all the time You ain't nothing but a hound dog Crying all the time Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit And you ain't no friend of mine

You told me you was high class But I could see through that She told me you was high class But I could see through that And daddy I know You ain't no real cool cat

When they said you was high classed Well, that was just a lie When they said you was high classed Well, that was just a lie You ain't never caught a rabbit And you ain't no friend of mine

You ain't nothing but a hound dog Been snoopin' 'round my 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 ain't nothing but a hound dog Crying all the time You ain't nothing but a hound dog Crying all the time Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit And you ain't no friend of mine

You made me feel so blue You made me weep and moan You made me feel so blue You made me weep and moan Cause you ain't looking for a woman All you're lookin' is for a home

Ahhhhhhhhhh…

You ain't nothing but a hound dog Been snoopin' 'round my 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

When they said you was high classed Well, that was just a lie When they said you was high classed Well, that was just a lie You ain't never caught a rabbit And you ain't no friend of mine Ahhhhhhhhhh… When they said you was high classed Well, that was just a lie You know they said you was high classed Well, that was just a lie You ain't never caught a rabbit And you ain't no friend of mine You ain't nothing but a hound dog Crying all the time You ain't nothing but a hound dog Crying all the time Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit And you ain't no friend of mine...