Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American sin… Read Full Bio ↴Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King".

Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family when he was 13 years old. His music career began there in 1954, recording at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African American music to a wider audience. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was a pioneer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. In 1955, drummer D. J. Fontana joined to complete the lineup of Presley's classic quartet and RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage the singer for more than two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", was released in January 1956 and became a number one hit in the United States. With a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records, he became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, made him enormously popular—and controversial.

In November 1956, Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender. Drafted into military service in 1958, Presley relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. He held few concerts however, and guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. In 1968, following a seven-year break from live performances, he returned to the stage in the acclaimed television comeback special Elvis, which led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of highly profitable tours. In 1973, Presley gave the first concert by a solo artist to be broadcast around the world, Aloha from Hawaii. Years of prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health, and he died suddenly in 1977 at his Graceland estate, just 42 years of age.

Presley is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century. Commercially successful in many genres, including pop, country, blues, and gospel, he is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music. He won three competitive Grammys, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.

Can't Help Falling in Love / Closing Vamp
Elvis Presley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Wise men say only fools rush in
but I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay
would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes

some things are meant to be
take my hand, take my whole life too
for I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes
some things are meant to be
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

Overall Meaning

Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" is a captivating and romantic tune that has a sentimental and lovable message. The song speaks about the wisdom of the wise, who say that only foolish people rush into love. However, the singer cannot help but fall in love with the person they are singing to, regardless of the potential risks involved. The singer asks if it would be a sin to stay since their heart is racing with affection. The song's theme of inevitable love is further heightened by the use of water imagery, as the singer likens their love to that of a river that flows surely to the sea. The lyrics are powerful and expressive, conveying the singer's unbridled emotions and commitment to the one they love.

Furthermore, the use of the chorus in the song's structure makes it more memorable and engaging, with its repetition adding to its romantic intensity. The song was written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss, and is said to be inspired by a French ballad called "Plaisir d'Amour." The ballad had a similar theme of how love is uncontrollable and bound to happen, much like how a river finds its way to the sea.

Overall, "Can't Help Falling in Love" remains an iconic song that continues to be celebrated today. It embodies timeless love that transcends time and generations. It presents the idea that despite the risks love may bring, it is still worth pursuing and treasuring.

Line by Line Meaning

Wise men say only fools rush in
According to common perception, only impulsive people dive into love without thinking.

But I can't help falling in love with you
Despite the risk of making a hasty decision, I cannot resist falling in love with you.

Shall I stay
Should I stick around?

Would it be a sin
Is it immoral or wrong?

If I can't help falling in love with you
If I cannot control my feelings for you.

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Just as a river seamlessly flows towards the ocean.

Darling so it goes
My dear, that's just how life works.

Some things are meant to be
Certain things happen in life because they are meant to happen.

Take my hand, take my whole life too
Come with me, and I'll give you everything I have, including my life.

For I can't help falling in love with you
I cannot control my emotions because I have fallen deeply in love with you.

Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC
Written by: GEORGE WEISS, HUGO PERETTI, LUIGI CREATORE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind