“Can’t Help Falling in Love” is a song sung by Elvis Presley for the album Blue Hawaii in 1961. It was written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss and published by Gladys Music, Inc.
The tune is based on “Plaisir d’amour,” a famous French love song composed in 1784 by Jean-Paul-Égide Martini. Originally, the song was written as “Can’t Help Falling in Love with Him,” which is why the first and third lines end with “in” and “sin” instead of rhyming with “you.”
However, after some changes, it became a sweet song about a man who can’t resist falling in love with someone he wants to spend his whole life with.
In this article, we’ll delve into the meaning of the lyrics.
Table of Contents
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Wise men say
“Only fools rush in”
But I can’t help
Falling in love with you
In Verse 1, Elvis Presley acknowledges the advice of wise people who caution against rushing into love.
However, he confesses that he cannot resist falling in love with the girl he’s addressing.
[Verse 2]
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin
If I can’t help
Falling in love with you?
In Verse 2, Elvis Presley is contemplating whether he should stay with the girl he loves.
He wonders if it would be considered wrong or a “sin” to continue loving her.
[Chorus]
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
In the chorus, Elvis Presley uses a metaphor comparing their love to the flow of a river to the sea, implying that their love is natural and destined to be.
He addresses the girl as “Darling,” emphasizing their deep connection and how some things are meant to happen.
[Verse 3]
Take my hand
Take my whole life, too
For I can’t help
Falling in love with you
In Verse 3, Elvis Presley is extending a heartfelt offer to the girl he loves.
He invites her to take his hand and his entire life, symbolizing his commitment and devotion.
[Outro]
Take my hand
Take my whole life, too
For I can’t help
Falling in love with you
For I can’t help
Falling in love with you
In the Outro, Elvis Presley reiterates his willingness to offer his hand and his whole life to the girl he loves.
He repeats his inability to help falling in love with her, emphasizing the strength and sincerity of his feelings.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Can’t Help Falling in Love”
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” is a love ballad that celebrates the depth of human emotions and the beauty of giving oneself fully to another person. It tells us that love is a powerful and uncontrollable force that can lead us to take risks and make commitments we might not have anticipated.
The lyrics express the singer’s hesitations about falling in love too quickly, acknowledging the wisdom that “only fools rush in.” But the singer can’t resist love’s allure and wonders if it’s a sin to give in. This resonates with us all, as we’ve all felt our hearts overrule our minds in matters of love.
The song beautifully uses the metaphor of a river flowing to the sea, mirroring the pull of love. The singer feels caught in this current, swept away by uncontrollable emotions, ultimately believing it’s “meant to be.”
The repeated invitation to “take my hand” and “take my whole life” underscores the idea of complete devotion and commitment to the person one loves.
The title “Can’t Help Falling in Love” suggests that falling in love is not a deliberate choice but rather an involuntary and natural response to one’s emotions. It conveys the idea that love is something that happens beyond our control, as if we are helpless in the face of its power.
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He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.