[2] Otis Blackwell was more than happy to give up 50% of the royalties and a co-writing credit to Presley to ensure that the "hottest new singer around covered it".

[1] Between them, both songs remained at #1 on the Pop chart for a run of 11 weeks tying it with the 1950 Anton Karas hit "The Third Man Theme" and the 1951–1952 Johnnie Ray hit "Cry" for the longest stay at number one by a single record from late 1950 onward until 1992's smash "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men.

Presley performed "Don't Be Cruel" during all three of his appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show in September 1956 and January 1957.

[1] It became a regular feature of his live sets until his death in 1977, and was often coupled with "Jailhouse Rock" or "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear" during performances from 1969.

Many other artists including Connie Francis (1959, Rock 'n' Roll Million Sellers), Annette Peacock, Barbara Lynn (1963, Jamie #1244 45 RPM, #93 on the Hot 100),[8] Bill Black's Combo, Billy Swan, Devo, The Residents, Cheap Trick, Daffy Duck,[9] Merle Haggard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Neil Diamond, and Jackie Wilson have recorded the song.

[1] Debbie Harry of the new wave group Blondie recorded the song for the Otis Blackwell tribute album Brace Yourself!

[11] Cheap Trick's version of this song, the second single released from the band's tenth studio album Lap of Luxury, reached No.