About The Song
Elvis Presley’s “It’s Now or Never” is a beautiful and passionate ballad about the importance of seizing the moment and embracing true love. The song’s opening lines, “When I first saw you / With your smile so tender / My heart was captured / My soul surrendered,” set the stage for a story of intense longing and desire.
In the first verse, Presley sings about how he has spent a lifetime waiting for the right person, and now that she is here, he is determined to not let her slip away. He pleads with her to “come hold me tight” and “kiss me, my darling” before it’s too late.
The chorus is a simple but powerful declaration of love and commitment: “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.”
In the second verse, Presley compares their love to a willow tree, which is known for its weeping branches. He suggests that if they were to lose their chance to be together, they would both cry an ocean of tears. He then pleads with her to let their lips and arms invite each other, for who knows when they will meet again in this way.
The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing Presley’s urgency and determination to win the love of his life.
“It’s Now or Never” was released as a single in 1960 and quickly became one of Presley’s biggest hits. It topped the charts in the United States, the United Kingdom, and several other countries. The song has since become a classic love ballad and is still performed by artists all over the world.
It is said that Presley was inspired to record “It’s Now or Never” after seeing the Italian film “O Sole Mio” (1959). The film’s theme song, “Torna a Surriento,” was a passionate ballad that Presley loved very much. He asked his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, to find him an English translation of the song, and Parker eventually came up with “It’s Now or Never.”
Presley recorded the song at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 3, 1960. The song was produced by Chet Atkins and featured a lush orchestral arrangement by Bill Porter. Presley’s vocals on the song are passionate and heartfelt, and he perfectly conveys the urgency and longing of the lyrics.
“It’s Now or Never” is one of Elvis Presley’s most beloved and enduring songs. It is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with listeners of all ages.
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Lyric
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 waitWhen 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 you’re near
The time is here at lastIt’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 waitJust 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 wayIt’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 waitIt’s now or never
My love won’t waitIt’s now or never
My love won’t waitIt’s now or never
My love won’t wait