Neil Leslie Diamond (born January 24, 1941) is an American singer and songw… Read Full Bio ↴Neil Leslie Diamond (born January 24, 1941) is an American singer and songwriter, born in Brooklyn, NY.

From the 1960s to the 1980s, Diamond was one of the more successful pop music performers, scoring a number of hits. As critic William Ruhlmann writes, "as of 2001, he claimed worldwide record sales of 115 million copies, and as of 2002 he was ranked third, behind only Elton John and Barbra Streisand, on the list of the most successful adult contemporary artists in the history of the Billboard chart."[1] As of May 2005 he has sold 120 million records worldwide, including 48 million records in the U.S.[2]

Though his record sales declined somewhat after the 1980s, Diamond continues to tour successfully, and maintains a very loyal following. Diamond's songs have been recorded by a vast array of performers from many different musical genres.

Diamond was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984, and then in 2000 was given its Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the early part of 2011.

In 2008 Neil Diamond scored his first ever Billboard number one album with "Home Before Dark", the album also became his first studio album to get to number one in the UK.

Can't Help Falling in Love
Neil Diamond 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

No, I can't help
Falling in love with you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Neil Diamond's "Can't Help Falling In Love" depict the singer's inner turmoil and deep affection for someone. The song addresses the common notion that love rushes into, stating "Wise men say only fools rush in," yet the singer declares that they cannot restrain themselves from falling in love with the person they are addressing. They question if staying and falling in love would be considered a sin, indicating the singer's concern over the moral implications of their love.

The metaphor of a river flowing to the sea is prevalent throughout the song, symbolizing fate and an inevitable connection between two people. The line, "Darling so it goes, some things are meant to be," highlights the idea that some things are beyond our control, and love is one of those things. The singer finally reaches out to their love interest, taking their hand and offering their entire life, acknowledging the intensity and depth of their love. The repetition of the chorus at the end of the song emphasizes the singer's inability to protect themselves from the intense, all-consuming emotion of falling in love with the person addressed in the song.

Line by Line Meaning

Wise men say
Those who are knowledgeable opine

Only fools rush in
Only the naive take impulsive actions

But I can't help
However, I am unable to control

Falling in love with you
My emotions of affection towards you are strong and irresistible

Shall I stay
Should I remain by your side

Would it be a sin
Is it morally wrong

If I can't help falling in love with you
To be overwhelmed with feelings towards you as to be unable to resist, would it be an act of immorality

Like a river flows
Much like the uncontrolled course of a water body

Surely to the sea
Towards its inevitable destination

Darling so it goes
My emotions proceed similarly

Some things are meant to be
Some things are predestined