The No. 1 Song On August 24, 1960 Sounds Even More Passionate Today
Elvis Presley had his biggest year ever in 1960, with hits like "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" and "Stuck on You" topping the charts and going on to become classics. However, the year is also known for producing the King of Rock 'n' Roll's most successful single, "It's Now or Never." The passionate bop reigned supreme at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 on August 24, 1960, spending a total of five weeks there.
"It's Now or Never" is based on "O Sole mio," an Italian classic originally written and composed by Giovanni Capurro, Eduardo di Capua, and Alfredo Mazzucchi in 1898. Presley discovered the song while he was on U.S. military duty in Europe, and he asked Aaron Schroeder and Wally Gold to write lyrics around the song's catchy melody after he returned to the entertainment business in 1960. The rest is, as they say, history.
At the time of this writing, "It's Now Or Never" is estimated to have sold over 25 million copies, making it one of the most successful singles ever recorded. The song has also stood the test of time, as it's impossible not to feel smitten by its infectious melody, waltzy tempo, and romantic lyrics.
Elvis Presley had instantaneous love on his mind in It's Now or Never
"It's Now or Never" is one of the songs from 1960 that encapsulates being young and full of love. In this one, Elvis Presley sings about courting a lover and craving an instant connection. He fears that leaving it any longer will lead to missed opportunities, so they must seize the day while the temperature's hot. "It's now or never," he sings. "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."
The track is pretty upfront, but it's also open to interpretation. For some listeners, "It's Now or Never" is a wholesome '60s classic that will make boomers think of their early crushes, as the lyrics are quite sweet and relatively innocent. That said, they boast slightly more intimate undertones, so the song can be heard as Elvis' plea for a night of passion with the lover he desires. Nevertheless, "It's Now or Never" is a timeless number that still hits the sweet spot almost 70 years after its release — and people will probably still dance to it for decades to come.