In 1956 The Four Lovers (Four Seasons) were recording "Don't Be Cruel" (Blackwell) when the composer asked to take it back as a potential Elvis hit. RCA executive Steve Sholes played a demo of Otis Blackwell's "Don't Be Cruel" and Elvis decided to record it as soon as possible. Otis never met Elvis in person!

"Don't Be Cruel" (Blackwell - Presley) was the B side to "Hound Dog" yet became the biggest selling rock single ever at that time. It was the first of many Otis Blackwell tunes Elvis Presley recorded. The tune was sold to Shalimar Music in 1956 for the sum of $25.00 in the year it was written.