About the song
Few songs in the vast catalogue of **Elvis Presley** are as evocative, commanding, and deeply romantic as **“It’s Now or Never.”** Released in 1960 during a critical juncture in Presley’s career—shortly after his return from military service—this song signaled not just a continuation but a rebirth of his artistic identity. While many remember him as the swiveling rock-and-roll provocateur of the 1950s, **“It’s Now or Never”** showcased a more mature, vocally sophisticated Elvis—one deeply rooted in pop balladry and international influence.
What makes **“It’s Now or Never”** particularly striking is its origin. It was adapted from the classic Italian song **“’O Sole Mio,”** a Neapolitan standard known for its soaring melody and emotive pull. With new English lyrics written by Aaron Schroeder and Wally Gold, the track transformed into a passionate plea—urgent, dramatic, and beautifully melodic. Presley’s vocal delivery is nothing short of masterful: tender yet commanding, polished but still full of feeling. He holds each note with grace, giving the impression that this isn’t just a love song, but a matter of life and death. Indeed, the title itself—**“It’s Now or Never”**—suggests the emotional high stakes of romance at its most vulnerable and immediate.
Musically, the arrangement is lush and orchestral, a far cry from Presley’s earlier, more stripped-down rockabilly hits. This shift wasn’t accidental. It was a deliberate effort to reach a broader audience, particularly older listeners who may have initially viewed rock and roll with skepticism. And it worked—**“It’s Now or Never”** became one of Elvis’s biggest global hits, topping charts in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Ultimately, **“It’s Now or Never”** is more than just a song. It represents a key moment in **Elvis Presley’s** evolution—proof that he was not merely a fad or a teenage sensation, but a versatile vocalist capable of interpreting timeless melodies with depth and elegance. For many older listeners, it remains a golden standard of romantic pop, where memory, melody, and emotion blend into something enduringly powerful.
Video
Lyrics
As the snow flies
On a cold and gray Chicago mornin’
A poor little baby child is born
In the ghetto
(In the ghetto)
And his mama cries
‘Cause if there’s one thing that she don’t need
It is another hungry mouth to feed
In the ghetto
(In the ghetto)
People, don’t you understand
The child needs a helping hand
Or he’ll grow to be an angry young man some day
Take a look at you and me
Are we too blind to see?
Do we simply turn our heads
And look the other way
Well, the world turns
And a hungry little boy with a runny nose
Plays in the street as the cold wind blows
In the ghetto
(In the ghetto)
And his hunger burns
So he starts to roam the streets at night
And he learns how to steal
And he learns how to fight
In the ghetto
(In the ghetto)
Then one night in desperation
The young man breaks away
He buys a gun, steals a car
Tries to run, but he don’t get far
And his mama cries
As a crowd gathers ’round an angry young man
Face down on the street with a gun in his hand
In the ghetto
(In the ghetto)
And as her young man dies
(In the ghetto)
On a cold and gray Chicago mornin’
Another little baby child is born
In the ghetto
(In the ghetto)
And his mama cries
(In the ghetto)
(In the ghetto)
(Ah)
