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Sexual innuendo, blues euphemisms, mature relationship themes
Detailed Analysis
These are the original lyrics to 'Hound Dog' as recorded by Big Mama Thornton in 1952, written by Leiber and Stoller. Unlike Elvis Presley's more sanitized pop version, these original lyrics carry stronger blues undertones with sexually suggestive metaphors. The 'hound dog' is a metaphor for a promiscuous, freeloading man who is sniffing around looking for sexual opportunity and a free place to stay ('all you lookin' is for a home'). Phrases like 'feed you no more,' 'snoopin' round my door,' and 'wag your tail' function as double entendres in the blues tradition. The line 'do the mess around' is a known blues euphemism for sexual activity. The theme of a man seeking a woman purely for sexual access and material comfort, and the woman rejecting him, carries clear adult relationship and sexual undertones. There is no explicit language, violence, or drug references, but the innuendo and mature relational themes place this above content suitable for young children or pre-teens.
Themes
sexual innuendo
rejection
infidelity
manipulation
blues metaphor
independence
Lyrics
You ain't nothing but a hound dog Been snoopin' 'round the door You ain't nothing but a hound dog Been snoopin' 'round my door You can wag your tail But I ain't gonna feed you no more You told me you was high-class But I could see through that Yes, you told me you was high-class But I could see through that And daddy, I know You ain't no real cool cat You ain't nothing but a hound dog Been snoopin' 'round the door You're just an old hound dog Been snoopin' 'round my door You can wag your tail But I ain't gonna feed you no more, oh play it on Sam, oh! Aw, listen to that there old hound dog Oh, play it, it s'all right in here Oh, listen to that there old hound dog holler Oh, play it boy, play it Oh, you make me feel good Oh, do the mess around right now, yeah Now wag your tail Oh, get it now Oh, get it now, get it, get it, get it Oh, go, holler boy You made me feel so blue You made me weep and moan You made me feel so blue Well you made me weep and moan 'Cause you ain't looking for a woman All you lookin' is for a home You ain't nothing but a hound dog Quit snoopin' 'round the door You ain't nothing but a hound dog Quit snoopin' 'round my door You can wag your tail But I ain't gonna feed you no more, oh!
Remember: You know your child best. Use LyricsRay as a tool to inform your decisions, but always trust your parental instincts and family values when determining what's right for your children.
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Analysis performed on September 10, 2026