"Don't Be Cruel" was released on July 13, 1956, backed with "Hound Dog". It was the first song that Presley's song publishers, Hill & Range, brought to him to record. He recorded the song on July 2, 1956, during an exhaustive recording session at RCA Victor Studios in New York City. During this session he also recorded "Hound Dog", and "Any Way You Want Me". It featured Presley's band of Scotty Moore on lead guitar (with Presley usually providing rhythm guitar), Bill Black on double bass, D.J.Fontana on drums, Shorty Long on piano, and backing vocals from the Jordanaires. "Don't Be Cruel" reached no.1 in the United States and as the B-side of "Hound Dog" no.2 in United Kingdom. "Don't Be Cruel" landed at no.2 on Year-End Chart 1956 with 8,032,000 points, one spot behind bowed "Hound Dog" with 6,513,000 points.