Written by: Otis Blackwell, Elvis Presley
Recorded: 20-31 May 1991
Producer: Jeff Lynne
Released: 22 May 1992 (US), 29 June 1992 (UK)
Available on:
Time Takes Time
Personnel
Ringo Starr: vocals, drums
Jeff Lynne: guitar, bass, piano, vocals
‘Don’t Be Cruel’ was a bonus track on the Japanese edition of Ringo Starr’s tenth solo album, 1992’s Time Takes Time.
It was produced by ELO’s Jeff Lynne, who also played the bulk of the instruments.
‘Don’t Be Cruel’ was written by Otis Blackwell, who gave up 50% of the music publishing to have it recorded by Elvis Presley. It was recorded by Presley at RCA Victor Studios in New York City on 2 July 1956, and released as a single on 13 July.
The single, with ‘Hound Dog’ on the b-side, was an instant hit, topping the Pop, Country, and R&B charts in the US, and selling more than four million copies by the end of 1956.
In the UK it was the b-side of the ‘Hound Dog’ single, which peaked at number two on the singles chart. It was released as a single in 1978 following Presley’s death.
The Beatles performed ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ live between 1959 and 1961, although it was never recorded in the studio. They did, however, improvise a version during the Get Back/Let It Be sessions at Twickenham on 10 January 1969.
In addition to being a bonus album track in Japan, Starr’s version was included on the ‘Weight Of The World’ CD single, which was released in the UK on 4 May 1992 and peaked at number 74 on the singles chart.