Don't Be Cruel

...in other words, “Ne légy kegyetlen!” in Hungarian. This is a great rock-and-roll song by Elvis, recorded in a New York studio in 1956 together with another excellent song, Hound Dog. The latter immediately shot to the top of the charts, but after a while Don't Be Cruel overtook Hound Dog. In fact, the two songs occupied first and second place for many weeks.

Don't Be Cruel was also released separately, sold more than six million copies, and became an indispensable part of Elvis's live performances. The Beatles also added it to their repertoire and reportedly played it live frequently between 1959 and 1961, although unfortunately no recording has survived.

Besides the Beatles, of course, countless famous performers have covered it, and I do not think there is a rock-and-roll band that does not play this song. That is hardly surprising: it has a catchy, simple melody and an accompaniment built from only four chords. I would like to teach it to you now. The original recording is in D major, and I like to keep it there, but anyone who finds D major uncomfortable to play—or whose singing voice does not suit the key—can easily transpose it. In D major we need these chords:

For beginners, I suggest following the lyrics and chords and playing the accompaniment along with the original recording. This becomes easier if you memorize the song's structure (verses and bridge). More advanced players can also try the fingerstyle arrangement. The chord shapes contain much of the melody, so that is not impossibly difficult either; I demonstrate both approaches in the video.

[Verse 1]
[D]You know I can be found, sitting home all alone,
[G]If you can't come around, at [D]least please telephone.
A don't be [Em]cruel [A]to a heart that's [D]true

[Verse 2]
[D]Baby, if I made you mad, for something I might have said,
[G]Please, let's forget the past, the [D]future looks bright ahead
A don't be [Em]cruel [A]to a heart that's [D]true

[Bridge]
I don't [G]want no other [A]love, [G]baby it's just [A]you I'm thinking [D]of

[Verse 3]
[D]Don't stop thinking of me, don't make me feel this way,
[G]Come on over here and love me, you [D]know what I want you to say
A don't be [Em]cruel [A]to a heart that's [D]true

[Bridge]
Why [G]should we be a[A]part, [G]I really love you [A]baby, cross my [D]heart

[Verse 4]
[D]Let's walk up to the preacher, and let us say I do,
[G]Then you'll know you'll have me, and [D]I'll know that I'll have you
A don't be [Em]cruel [A]to a heart that's [D]true

[Verse 5]
I don't [G]want no other [A]love, [G]baby it's just [A]you I'm thinking [D]of
A don't be [Em]cruel [A]to a heart that's [D]true
A don't be [Em]cruel [A]to a heart that's [D]true
I don't [G]want no other [A]love, [G]baby it's just [A]you I'm thinking [D]of