Hound Dog example essay topic

Memphis, Tennessee is known for its music. It brought great artists such as Elvis Presley, Isaac Hayes, and Otis Redman. However, one of that artist that does not get the attention that he deserves is Rufus Thomas. Many people say that he gave Memphis the "Memphis Sound". In 1953 Rufus Thomas wrote Sun Record's first hit "Bear Cat", a song that attracted attention because of its similarities to the prior version "Hound Dog" and its sexual content. Many people try to argue that the song has a deeper meaning than what it literally says.

However, the song is clearly about a female. 'Big' Mama Thornton's "Hound Dog" lyrics, Thomas's lyrics, and the way Thomas portrayed himself to the public help to support this statement. 'Big' Mama Thornton's "Hound Dog" talks about a hound dog that will not leave her alone. It reads, "You ain't nothing' but a hound dog, quit snooping round my door".

She is talking about a man that does not do anything for her, but always wants her to take care of him. 'Big" Mama also implies that he has come back more than once before acting the same way. The song also talks about how the hound dog still comes around wagging his tail, but she is not letting him in". You can wag your tail, but I ain't gonna love you know more", are the exact words used.

This means that this man can come back to her as much as he wants but she is not letting him back into her life. When Thomas heard this song he thought it would be a good idea to write a response to the song. Rufus Thomas's "Bear Cat" starts off stating", You know what you said about me, don't you woman?" and continues on to talk about a cat that keeps scratching at his door. The song reads, "Well, you ain't nothing but a bear cat, been scratch in' at my door". Thomas is clearly responding to the original song "Hound Dog". Thomas basically says the same thing 'Big' Mama said about her ex-lover.

However, "Bear Cat" has more sexual references. The song says", Whoa, rub you! Whoa, get with it now, Git it, git it, git it, git it! Listen to that old cat Me. .. scat!" This kind of language was very uncut for the censorship levels in music, in the 50's. People may argue that he is talking about a cat, literally, or that this has deeper meaning.

However, that statement can easily be challenged with the first line of the song or the way he portrayed himself to the public. According to Jon Paroles at the New Jersey Times, Thomas billed himself "worlds oldest teenager". Thomas still wanted the public to think he was young at heart even though he was old in age. In one of his shows he announced, "I'm young and loose and full of juice / I got the goose so what's the use?" He was basically saying that he was young, energetic and trying to have fun. This might have come off as "cool" to the young viewers, but as trouble to the more mature crowd. It was statements like these which lead people to believe that "Bear Cat" was about a woman.

Thomas went on to make other hit songs such as "Do The Funky Chicken" and "Walking The Dog". None of which had the same publicity or confused as many listeners at "Bear Cat". The fact that Thomas was responding to 'Big' Mama's "Hound Dog" should be enough proof that the song was indeed about a woman. However, if that doesn't persuade the listeners, the first line of "Hound Dog", "You know what you said about me, don't you woman?" should.

No matter what the song was about, the song will always be remembered as one of Sun Records first hit singles and Rufus Thomas will be recognized as a Memphis legend.