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Elvis Presley — Its Now Or Never
Album: #1 Hits
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 795









Released: 1959
Length: 3:13
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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 spent 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

It's now or never, my love won't wait
It's now or never, my love won't wait

It's now or never, my love won't wait
Comments (61)add comment
How is this only a 7.2?
“You can fool some of the people part of the time in a rock and roll song, fifty million Elvis Presley fans can’t be all wrong.” - John Prine
I live in a city where you can't throw a rock without hitting an Elvis impersonator. Regardless of your opinion of Elvis' work, how many artists can claim this title.
It’s never I’m afraid, despite the enormous and undeniable impact. 
As close as The King got to operatic.  
Superb voice.  The final verse!
You gotta love a bit of the King, stunning voice!
 kcar wrote:



Ever see Viva Las Vegas.... Him and Ann Margaret were magic...
 SmackDaddy wrote:

Did Dean Martin write this?




Gold, Schroeder, and di Capua
Did Dean Martin write this?
Can no longer here this and not think of David Lynch (not necessarily a bad thing).


Extremely clever lyrics. Brilliant rhyming and simplicity without being trite.
Thanks for playing this. I'm sixty-two and I'm sure I haven't actually listened all the way through that many Elvis songs. Listening to this makes it easy to understand all the fuss. :-)
Thought this was Roy Orbison when it started - never noticed how similar the styles and voices were. Nice.
 latrippa wrote:
Omigosh...I didn't know Elvis sung something over "O' Sole Mio" melody.
Funny indeed! 

 
ha ha...yeah, it almost sounds more like Roy Orbison than Elvis.
 jonno_norton wrote:

I think the argument could easily be made that his music does not translate to a modern audience and he is a forgotten relic of the 50s. However, I agree that he is definitely NOT the "most overhyped artist of his generation." I'm surprised to come to these forums so often and see so many ignorant people making such broad statements about the artists that helped inspire the music we enjoy today. 

I digress. I came here to mention that this song just doesn't fit into the rotation for me. Again with his music not translating to a modern audience, I really felt like I was listening to a Golden Oldies station there for a minute while this song was playing. Living in a small town in Arkansas, we have radio stations that play that style of music 24/7. Not that it isn't valuable, but I don't think it translates for young people, or that it pairs well with the rest of the tunes we listen to here on RP.

I would have recommended the Elvis song "In the Ghetto." It probably would get the same arguments I gave above from others, but I think similarly to the DJs comments, this song just speaks to me personally because of the feeling it gave me the first time I heard it. 

I truly think Elvis would have become something to the effect of a Michael Jackson if he had lived long enough for his music style to progress a little further, and thus solidified himself with future generations like the Beatles were able to do.  

 
I think that this song does fit into this rotation, although it's a bit on the older side. Heck, my guess is that back in the day his younger fans who wanted "Hound Dog" didn't exactly love this song. But the guy could rock, do tragic ballads like "In the Ghetto" and even sing gospel. But you're also right, jonno_norton: if a song resonates with you when you first hear it, you're likely to still love it years later. 

My guess is that Elvis's influence comes and goes. His songs, when remixed or covered, are often big hits. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOoKzw3JSCM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx1_6F-nCaw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyxe-IcFsGg

Three things come immediately to mind to explain why Elvis isn't a bigger influence today. One, Elvis died at only 42 and had frittered away a lot of his pop music appeal by doing 27 mostly crappy movies during the 60s. That 1968 TV show: "Elvis: The Comeback Special" was done because he was considered a has-been at that point. He hadn't changed with the times even during the 60s. I'm not sure that he even had the chance to find his own musical identity outside of the conventions of established music styles. 

Two, compared to Michael Jackson, Elvis died a long time ago (1977). Let's see how many people remember Michael Jackson 37 years after his death. Despite time's passage, Wikipedia states that Elvis is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music and Forbes named Elvis Presley as the 2nd top earning dead celebrity with $55 million as of 2011. 

Three, music today is dramatically different from the 60s; all the groups and musicians that audiences adored in the late 60s, when Elvis was considered old hat, are themselves considered relics now. Hell, the entire music industry is on life support. It could be that too much has changed for young people today to have strong emotional connections with his music. 

Omigosh...I didn't know Elvis sung something over "O' Sole Mio" melody.
Funny indeed! 
 Poacher wrote:
Elv1s - so I gave it a 1. 

In fact 24% of (discerning RP) voters gave this a 5 or less. 

I regard this 'song' as a comedy interlude Bill plays to clear the air.

 
As long as he doesn't play Malaguena Salerosa next I will survive....
 what a voice he had..{#Angel}
There's only one king by Firnadi

There's only one king by Firnadi
©2011-2014 Firnadi


One of my favs from the King. {#Kiss}
My choice?  Never.
Some people are just way too young to appreciate the yearlings of R&R/Country.
Elv1s - so I gave it a 1. 

In fact 24% of (discerning RP) voters gave this a 5 or less. 

I regard this 'song' as a comedy interlude Bill plays to clear the air.
What a voice, what a true talent.

ELVIS IS THE KING

 WonderLizard wrote:
. Or opera--tho' this one comes close. Nobody's perfect.




 

O Solo Mio!
 Shmelo wrote:
Elvis is gross. The first cardboard pop star / product of a record label. If it wasn't for nostalgia people wouldn't listen to this tripe at all.

 
I can agree that late in life, he became a grossly distorted cartoon of his former self. Even so, we're only discussing his appearance and lifestyle. Similarly, the manipulation of his image/life by RCA can also be acknowledged. But OMG what a voice. He could and did sing anything and everything. Okay, maybe not show tunes. Or opera--tho' this one comes close. Nobody's perfect.



Funny ...

All recorded music is from the past as soon as they hit the stop button in the studio.
Lovely song, less of the brash Elvis, very Tom Jones-esque. Great choice!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGhmn2i4DBU


Nice to hear some Elvis, although I prefer "Cold Kentucky Rain...." When I was a kid, the local oldies radio station would play the performance in which Elvis changes the words to "Are You Lonesome Tonight,"  loses it, and starts laughing. I always figured the backup singer got huge points for finishing the song.    
Yes, the memories of listening to the radio under cover of the bedclothes! Not in the USA though, Radio Luxenbourg and then Radio Caroline!
However, I still think he has a wonderful voice!
 
Bill, Your comment about his voice made me think of this:

Why does my mind blow to bits 
Every time they play that song?
It's just the way that he sings, 
Not the words that he says, or the band.
{#Group-hug}
 bendame wrote:
One of the most over rated artist of his generation. 
 
 
I checked out the other comments from this person and he's obviously a troll. Check it out:

https://www.radioparadise.com/rp_2.php?#name=Members&file=userinfo&showdata=song_comments&u=98458

Dude has nothing nice to say about any song or to anyone here. It would be nice if a moderator would notice stuff like this and tell people to stop being such assholes. There are a lot of people who actually like music and like discussing it here and people like this detract from that whole environment.  
 kcar wrote:

If that were true the hype would have died a long time ago and Elvis today would be a forgotten relic of the 50s. Unfortunately his talent got buried in Vegas and dozens of awful movies and drugs, but his success was not all hype. 

The guy had It. The Beatles saw It and I trust their judgment as musicians.  The bluesmen he idolized and hung out with saw his talent too. 
 
I think the argument could easily be made that his music does not translate to a modern audience and he is a forgotten relic of the 50s. However, I agree that he is definitely NOT the "most overhyped artist of his generation." I'm surprised to come to these forums so often and see so many ignorant people making such broad statements about the artists that helped inspire the music we enjoy today. 

I digress. I came here to mention that this song just doesn't fit into the rotation for me. Again with his music not translating to a modern audience, I really felt like I was listening to a Golden Oldies station there for a minute while this song was playing. Living in a small town in Arkansas, we have radio stations that play that style of music 24/7. Not that it isn't valuable, but I don't think it translates for young people, or that it pairs well with the rest of the tunes we listen to here on RP.

I would have recommended the Elvis song "In the Ghetto." It probably would get the same arguments I gave above from others, but I think similarly to the DJs comments, this song just speaks to me personally because of the feeling it gave me the first time I heard it. 

I truly think Elvis would have become something to the effect of a Michael Jackson if he had lived long enough for his music style to progress a little further, and thus solidified himself with future generations like the Beatles were able to do.  


It is always so wonderful to hear my father since such a fine song...  it is good to be loved...
 
 bendame wrote:
One of the most over rated artist of his generation. 
 
 
If that were true the hype would have died a long time ago and Elvis today would be a forgotten relic of the 50s. Unfortunately his talent got buried in Vegas and dozens of awful movies and drugs, but his success was not all hype. 

The guy had It. The Beatles saw It and I trust their judgment as musicians.  The bluesmen he idolized and hung out with saw his talent too. 

I've actually heard people say Elvis couldn't sing...

1wolfy wrote:
Great depth vocals even with an obsolete mic
 


One of the most over rated artist of his generation. 
 


Miss you, dad...  love this song...

 
Who's this guy? He's awesome, he's going places!
Kinda cheesy... tasty!
Shmelo wrote:
Elvis is gross. The first cardboard pop star / product of a record label. If it wasn't for nostalgia people wouldn't listen to this tripe at all.
 Proclivities wrote:

No, he's not the "first cardboard pop star / product of a record label", but you need not concern yourself with the history.  Anyhow, if it weren't for Nostalgia, no one would listen to any music which was recorded in the past.
 
 
Disagree with the first cardboard pop star comment. Just wanted to point out that any recorded music was recorded in the past.
That said: Pop music is all about nostalgia!
 Shmelo wrote:
Elvis is gross. The first cardboard pop star / product of a record label. If it wasn't for nostalgia people wouldn't listen to this tripe at all.
 
I agree. This just does not stand up to the test of time other than nostalgia and comedy value. 
Great depth vocals even with an obsolete mic
 Shmelo wrote:
Elvis is gross. The first cardboard pop star / product of a record label. If it wasn't for nostalgia people wouldn't listen to this tripe at all.
 
No, he's not the "first cardboard pop star / product of a record label", but you need not concern yourself with the history.  Anyhow, if it weren't for Nostalgia, no one would listen to any music which was recorded in the past.
ahhh. love it.

never noticed the o sole mio...but yes!
Elvis is so great! If it wasn't for him, rock wouldn't exist today.
 Shmelo wrote:
Elvis is gross. The first cardboard pop star / product of a record label. If it wasn't for nostalgia people wouldn't listen to this tripe at all.
 
I totally agree...probably the few rock n' rollers who can't stand him. Poser...
A beautiful classic song. Unfortunately fame did him in, as well as to so many others and will continue to happen. Regardless, I think he was a great singer and performer. I'm glad I got to see him perform twice in my life. 
My favorite Elvis song.  It's basically an Italian song called "O Sole Mio" with changed lyrics.
Elvis is gross. The first cardboard pop star / product of a record label. If it wasn't for nostalgia people wouldn't listen to this tripe at all.
Moving from Radiohead to Bloat-o-Boy almost made me more the 2 rating down to a 1.  But that wouldn't be fair.
The ultimate pressure song. Many a young girl's resolve surely crumbled with this playing on the car radio...
"I'm all shook up and on drugs. . ."
{#Jump}  Instant 10.
 Zep wrote:
C'mon Bill play this thing, now or never.

 
There you go, Zep - a little over 4 years. Good tune.


Mmmm hmmmm, momma.
C'mon Bill play this thing, now or never.