The melody of “It’s Now or Never” was borrowed from “O Sole Mio,” a Neapolitan standard. Influenced by an English-language version of the song sung by Tony Martin, “There’s No Tomorrow,” Elvis Presley, then in the Army in Germany, decided to record his own interpretation.
Presley told the idea to his music publisher, Freddy Bienstock, who was visiting him in Germany, according to the book “Behind the Hits” (1986) by Bob Shannon and John Javna. Mr. Bienstock, who many times found songwriters for Presley, returned to his New York office, where he found two songwriters, Mr. Schroeder, and Wally Gold, the only people in that day.
The two wrote the lyrics in half an hour. Selling more than 20 million records, the song became No. 1 in countries all over the world and was Presley’s best-selling single ever.
lyrics
It's now or never,
Come hold me tight
Kiss me my darling,
Be mine tonight
Tomorrow will be too late,
It's now or never
My love won't wait.
When I first saw you
With your smile so tender
My heart was captured,
My soul surrendered
I'd spend a lifetime
Waiting for the right time
Now that your near
The time is here at last.
It's now or never,
Come hold me tight
Kiss me my darling,
Be mine tonight
Tomorrow will be too late,
It's now or never
My love won't wait.
Just like a willow,
We would cry an ocean
If we lost true love
And sweet devotion
Your lips excite me,
Let your arms invite me
For who knows when
We'll meet again this way
It's now or never,
Come hold me tight
Kiss me my darling,
Be mine tonight
Tomorrow will be too late,
It's now or never
My love won't wait.
Former punk rock lead singer from 90s underground band Twisted Nixon (1996-2002) Johnny Punish is now pushing his artistic
boundaries into the 21st century creating diverse music that matters. In addition, he's also engaging around the world as a global social justice political activist, eco-activist, socially responsible businessman, and syndicated writer.....more
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