On the Record - July 24
By Casey Gillis on Jul. 23, 2008
By Bradford Brady and John Maron
Q: I heard the foreign song, “O Sole Mio,” recently, and I’m positive that I’ve heard the melody before in another song. It has been stuck in my head ever since I heard it, and I cannot think of the other song. Can you help me?
A: The song you’re thinking of is “It’s Now or Never” by Elvis Presley. “O Sole Mio” is an old European song that was written in 1898 in the Neapolitan language of southern Italy. The great tenor Enrico Caruso helped popularize the song in the early 20th century. In 1949, singer Tony Martin used the melody of “O Sole Mio” in a song called “There’s No Tomorrow.” Ten years later, while stationed in Germany, Elvis heard Martin’s song and asked his music publisher to find someone to rewrite the song with new lyrics. Aaron Schroeder and Wally Gold were given the task and came up with “It’s Now or Never.” The duo also wrote the Presley hit, “Good Luck Charm.” Two other Presley hits, “Surrender” and “Love Me Tender,” were also rewrites of older Italian songs. “It’s Now or Never” became a No. 1 hit for five weeks in the U.S. in 1960. It also became one of his biggest international hits, selling more than 20 million copies worldwide.
Q: I recently heard “Solsbury Hill” by Peter Gabriel and have always wondered about the significance of Solsbury Hill to the song. Can you tell me?
A: “Solsbury Hill” is the second song on Gabriel’s first eponymously titled solo album following his exit from the Genesis, the progressive rock band he co-founded while in school. It was also his first solo single. Solsbury Hill itself is a 625-foot high, flat-topped hill in Somerset, England, that overlooks the town of Bath in southwest England. Reportedly, Gabriel wrote the song after climbing the hill and taking in the sweeping panorama it offers. By brilliantly and succinctly explaining why he left Genesis (“which connection I should cut”), the song is ultimately a testament about finding one’s courage to take the risk of possibly giving up everything in order to achieve something greater. Gabriel is quoted as saying the song is about letting go. There has been much speculation about the line in the song that describes an eagle flying out of the night. Some see it as a metaphor for Jesus, especially since the eagle is later quoted as saying, “Son, grab my hand I’ve come to take you home.” It has been reported that the eagle represented Bruce Springsteen. Gabriel was said to have seen Springsteen in concert around this time and was impressed with the Boss’ energy, so much so that it inspired Gabriel to leave Genesis. While this might be true, we can find no evidence that Gabriel has actually confirmed this story.
Q: What is the name of the song featured in JC Penney’s “American Living” ad in which children are playing on a bed in the woods?
A: The song featured in the ad is “Killing the Blues” by Robert Plant and Allison Krauss. Originally written and recorded by Rowland Salley in 1977, the song has been recorded by artists like John Prine and Shawn Colvin. Plant and Krauss’ version can be found on their critically-acclaimed album “Raising Sand.”
What’s the name of that song? Where are they now? What does that lyric mean? Send questions to or visit http://www.music
ontherecord.com. Brady and Maron are freelance music writers based in Raleigh, N.C.
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