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.

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Elvis Presley Lyrics

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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

The famous song "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley is a romantic ballad that speaks of the inevitability of love. The opening line of the song, "Wise men say only fools rush in," suggests that the singer is aware that falling in love too quickly can sometimes lead to heartbreak. However, despite this cautionary bit of advice, the singer cannot resist the pull of his/her emotions and falls in love with someone. The chorus repeats the line "take my hand, take my whole life too" suggesting that the singer is willing to commit fully to this love, despite the potential risks involved.

The second stanza compares the singer's love to a river flowing "surely to the sea," emphasizing the idea that some things are simply meant to be, and that love is one of those things. The repetition of "darling so it goes" further adds to this sense of inevitability. The constant reassurance of commitment in the song, "take my whole life too" expresses the singer's readiness to surrender themselves to the love they feel.

Overall, the song's message is simple: sometimes falling in love feels like it's entirely beyond our control, but we still can't help ourselves from going all in.

Line by Line Meaning

Wise men say only fools rush in
It is said that wise people think rushing into love is foolish.

But I can't help falling in love with you
Despite what wise people say, I cannot control the strong feelings I have for you.

Shall I stay?
I wonder if I should continue being with you or not.

Would it be a sin
Is it wrong or against morality to keep falling in love with you?

If I can't help falling in love with you?
I have no control over the intense emotions I have for you.

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Just like a river is destined to flow towards the sea, our love is also destined to happen.

Darling so it goes
This is how love is, my dear.

Some things are meant to be
Certain things in life happen for a reason and are meant to be.

Take my hand, take my whole life too
Accept me and all that I am, for I surrender everything to you.

For I can't help falling in love with you
I have no control over the strong feelings of love I have for you.

Lyrics © RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: George David Weiss, Hugo E Peretti, Luigi Creatore

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind