It’s Now or Never is one of the most famous songs ever recorded and instantly recognisable with that almost classic Italian style guitar intro. The song was based on the Italian sing O Sole Mio and the melody was given English lyrics for Elvis’ recording. For more information and background into the song and the studio recording see the description under the song’s entry in The First Take to the Master series. [ Ссылка ]
Elvis’ first set list on returning to live performing was heavily weighted with classic hits but strangely, considering how big a hit it had been, was excluded. It was not until the closing show of his second Las Vegas season that it found itself performed, with Elvis on electric guitar and you can hear that version here: [ Ссылка ].
The song would come and go from Elvis’ live show over the following six years or so and it was not until December 1975 before it became anything resembling a regular on the set list. Performed over one hundred and fifty times, the song’s evolution can be heard in it’s entry in The Live Comparison Series : [ Ссылка ].
Among those renditions is this fine version during the second of three quite wonderful tour ending shows in Asheville’s Civic Center.
As with all of these videos, to get the most out of the re-edited audio, I highly recommend you use ear /headphones and turn the volume up as much as you dare!
