Controversy was generated concerning the last four minutes of the original music video. Jackson walks out of the studio as a black panther and then morphs into himself. Then he walks outside to perform some of his most physically complicated dance techniques, in a similar way to "Billie Jean". This part contained sexually suggestive scenes when Jackson starts to grab his crotch, and then zips his pants up.

Two versions of the video were ultimately released. The original "uncut" version featured the dancing women in G-string bikini bottoms (with rotoscoped black squares placed over the women's buttocks) and sport brassieres. The MTV version featured alternate lyrics for the song (to comply with MTV's standards and practices) and alternate footage of the dancers in cycling shorts instead of bikinis. Thanks to @alexlehm for the suggestion.

At the time of its original release, the song caused controversy with its outspoken and blatantly sexual lyrics about the female anatomy, and the video was briefly banned by MTV.

The single is certifed 4X Platinum in the US for sales of over 4,000,000 copies and, despite never reaching number one on the pop chart, was the top song of 1993. "Whoomp! (There It Is)" was commonly used at sporting events, particularly basketball. It was the theme song for the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies baseball team and was featured prominently during the 1993 World Series.

It was popular between 1995 and 1996, although it continues to have a cult following to this day. The song became the second longest running #1 and best selling debut single of all time in the U.S. It was ranked the "#1 Greatest One-Hit Wonder of all Time" by VH1 in 2002. In 1997, the song had sold 11 million copies.

The single had massive success internationally. As of October 21, it has sold 3,977,000 legal digital downloads in the United States. Overall this single sold over 4 million copies.

Houston's version of the song was a massive worldwide success, selling over 15 million copies worldwide. It was certified 4xPlatinum in the U.S. for shipments of over 4 million copies and another six million worldwide, making it the third best-selling single in the world. It remains the biggest selling single by a female artist and the biggest selling non-charity single.

Due to its gradually building crossover appeal, the song has had extremely unusual longevity, not reaching number one on the Mainstream Top 40 until December 2008, ten months after its release and seven months after it debuted on the VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown. Despite weak initial download sales, it has gone onto sell over 4,400,000 paid digital downloads to date in the U.S., becoming the third best selling digital song in the United States.

Don't Be Cruel (A-side) was the flip side of the "Hound Dog" single, released on July 13, 1956. Both sides of the record topped the charts independently, a rare feat. The single also topped all three Billboard charts: pop, country & western, and rhythm & blues, the first record in history to do so. Presley's "Hound Dog" sold over 4 million copies in the United States on its first release. It spent a record eleven weeks at #1.