Early in his career, Elvis Presley released the most commercially successful double-sided hit record in pop music history. What were the titles of the two songs on the flip sides of this single record?

In 1956, Elvis Presley released a single that would etch its place in music history as the most commercially successful double-sided hit in pop music. The two iconic songs that shared this record were "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel." This single became a monumental success, with both sides achieving remarkable chart performance. "Don't Be Cruel" notably spent eleven weeks at number one on the Billboard Best Sellers chart, while "Hound Dog" also reached the top spot on various charts, and number two on others, giving Elvis an "unbeatable chart record" by having both sides of the same single in the top two positions. The combined chart run of these two tracks saw them spend an incredible 55 weeks in the Top 100 during 1956 and 1957.

The impact of this single was immense, solidifying Elvis's status as a burgeoning rock and roll icon. "Don't Be Cruel" alone sold over three million copies by October 1956 and surpassed four million by the end of that year, with total sales reaching an estimated six million. Both songs were recorded on July 2, 1956, at RCA studios in New York City. "Hound Dog" was originally an R&B hit for Big Mama Thornton in 1953, and Elvis's electrifying television performances of the song on shows like The Milton Berle Show and The Steve Allen Show fueled public demand for its release. Conversely, "Don't Be Cruel" was penned by Otis Blackwell, a prolific songwriter who would later contribute other hits to Presley's repertoire, such as "All Shook Up."

The phenomenon of a "double-sided hit" was a unique aspect of the vinyl record era, where both the designated "A" side and the "B" or "flip" side of a single could achieve independent chart success. "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel" stand as a testament to this era, with their unparalleled success. The single's lasting legacy is further underscored by both songs being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002, recognizing their historical significance and enduring quality in American music.