With Baz Luhrmann’s Austin Butler-starring Elvis biopic set to hit theaters in the U.S. in June, the lead single from its soundtrack has been rolled out.
The track in question, Doja Cat’s “Vegas,” made its initial debut during last month’s Coachella. Listeners will note the utilization here of “Hound Dog,” originally performed by Big Mama Thornton. “Hound Dog” writers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller are credited on the new Doja track, production for which is handled by Yeti Beats and Rogét Chahayed. Several years after Big Mama Thornton’s original version became a hit, Elvis Presley’s take on the twelve-bars classic was released.
Hear “Vegas” below via YouTube. The song is also available via Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, etc.
Following its global premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Elvis is set for a theatrical rollout here in the States on June 24. Joining Butler’s Presley is Tom Hanks as manager Colonel Tom Parker, who was an infamous and complicated presence in the late singer’s career.
The film also features Kelvin Harrison Jr. as B.B. King, Josh McConville as Sun Records founder Sam Phillips, Gary Clark Jr. as Arthur Crudup, and more. Shonka Dukureh, meanwhile, will appear as the aforementioned Big Mama Thornton.
This doesn’t mark the first time Doja Cat has contributed to a soundtrack. In 2020, Doja’s track “Boss Bitch” was included on the Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) soundtrack album. Revisit that below.