Introduction
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” is one of Elvis Presley’s most enduring ballads, first introduced in his 1961 film Blue Hawaii. The song was penned by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss, drawing inspiration from the 1784 French love song “Plaisir d’amour” by Jean-Paul-Égide Martini. Initially written from a woman’s perspective as “Can’t Help Falling in Love with Him,” the lyrics were later adapted to suit a male vocalist.
Elvis recorded the track on March 23, 1961, at Radio Recorders in Hollywood. The recording session featured his regular band members, including Scotty Moore on guitar, D.J. Fontana on drums, Bob Moore on bass, Floyd Cramer on piano, and The Jordanaires providing backing vocals . Despite initial reservations about the song’s slow tempo and soft style, Elvis was captivated by its melody and insisted on including it in the film’s soundtrack.
Released as a single on November 21, 1961, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” achieved significant commercial success. It reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the UK Singles Chart. The song’s popularity contributed to the success of the Blue Hawaii soundtrack, which remained at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart for 20 weeks and sold over 2 million copies.
Over the years, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” has been covered by numerous artists across various genres, including UB40, whose reggae version topped the charts in 1993. The song’s timeless appeal endures, resonating with audiences worldwide and solidifying its place in the pantheon of classic love songs.