Elvis' third single on RCA Victor was released on July 13, 1956. "Don't Be Cruel" was awarded with a Tripple Crown, because the song reached the number one on the "Hot 100", the "Country Best Seller Chart" and the "R&B Best Seller Chart". The other song, "Hound Dog", peaked at number 2 of the "Hot 100" and at number 1 of the "R&B Best Seller Chart". In 1992 the RIAA honored the domestic sales with a Tripple Platinum Award, seven years later the status was updated to Quadruple Platinum. In Europe the single hit the top10s and top20s of many countries, in total RCA Victor sold more than eight million copies. According to the RIAA this amount of physical sales can be translated to 1.2 billion paid streams. Back in 1956 the demand was so huge, that RCA rented the pressing plants of MGM and Decca to meet the orders on time. Today "Don't Be Cruel" / "Hound Dog" is said to be best selling single release of the 1950s. Today both songs remain quite popular and accumulate 270 million (Hound Dog) and 180 million (Don't Be Cruel) streams on Spotify.

After having sold the first two Presley singles in RCA standard sleeves the label now decided to create individual picture sleeves. Because the release was regarded a double a-side some of them read "Don't Be Cruel c/w Hound Dog" and others "Hound Dog c/w Don't Be Cruel". The back cover of both editions was the same.

On the streaming platforms the single is not available, but both songs are featured on the album "Elvis' Golden Records" (1958).

On July 2, 1956 Elvis recorded "Don't Be Cruel" at RCA Studio 1 in New York City/New York. He worked hard on the track and needed 28 takes before he reached a satisfactory result. The song was written by Otis Blackwell, but Colonel Parker was able to deal out a 50% share of the royalties for his client. Therefore Elvis was also listed as composer. Mr. Blackwell obviously wanted to write a hit and so he took many bits and pieces of other popular songs. But regardless the authenticity "Don't Be Cruel" is one of the best recordings of the "early" Elvis and a highlight of his catalogue. RCA Victor also released the track on the extended player "The Real Elvis" (1956), the albums "Elvis' Golden Records" (1958), "A Legendary Performer" (1974) and Pure Gold (1975) as well as on the boxed set "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits - Volume 1" (1970). Live performances can be found on "Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden" (1972) and "Elvis In Concert" (1977).

"Hound Dog" was also recorded on July 2nd, but this time the rock'n'roll king needed 31 attempts to get it right. At first the song was credited to Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller and Johnny Otis, but after a legal dispute it became just Leiber/Stoller. Originally "Hound Dog" was recorded and released in 1952 by Willie Mea "Big Mama" Thornton, later Jack Turner and Eddie Hazelwood also recorded the song. Elvis performed it much faster and harder than his predecessors and turned it into an iconic rock'n'roll song. RCA Victor also released it on the ep "The Real Elvis" (1956), on the album "Elvis' Golden Records" (1958) and the boxed set "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits - Volume 1" (1970). Live versions can be found on "Elvis" (1968),  "From Vegas To Memphis / From Memphis To Vegas" (1969), "Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden" (1972), "Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite" (1973). "Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis" (1974) and "Elvis In Concert" (1977). However, the king never even came close to the greatness of his original recording.