Don’t Be Cruel – Elvis Presley | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1), Country (#1), and R&B (#1); 1956
Story Behind The Song By Harris Sterling
In 1956, Elvis Presley released Don’t Be Cruel as part of a historic double-sided single paired with Hound Dog. Written by Otis Blackwell, the song became one of Presley’s most successful early recordings.
Produced by Steve Sholes, the recording featured a steady rhythm, background harmonies by The Jordanaires, and Elvis’ confident vocal delivery. Released in the summer of 1956, Don’t Be Cruel reached #1 on the Billboard Pop, Country, and R&B charts.
The lyric centers on reconciliation and reassurance. Rather than dramatic heartbreak, the narrator asks his partner to remain loyal and avoid unnecessary conflict.
Don’t Be Cruel helped solidify Elvis Presley’s dominance in 1956 and remains one of the signature hits of his early rock and roll era.
This content was created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Harris Sterling. © 2026 Harris Sterling. All rights reserved.
Produced by:
Steve Sholes
Lyrics Written by:
Otis Blackwell
Awards:
No Grammy Awards were awarded at the time of its release.
Harris Sterling
Independent music label executive Harris Sterling has worked in the music industry for most of his career.
As Executive Vice President for independent music label Madacy Entertainment, he led the strategic marketing and business development for the label, negotiating agreements with the major record labels to release custom music compilations under license with major brands, such as Ford Motor Company, Crayola, Care Bears and Elvis Presley Enterprises.
Harris also led Madacy’s strategy for the licensing of its entire music catalogue to Apple for their launch of the IPOD.
In 2011, Harris co-founded Starting Five Media, a company that specializes in recording and licensing custom renditions of popular songs as well as clearing the rights to the music composition for use by their clients in media projects.
Harris has negotiated publishing and master recording rights for many Top 40 songs for use in various media projects, TV Commercials and more.