I Can't Help It
Ricky Nelson Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Today I passed you on the street
And my heart fell at your feet
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you

Somebody else stood by your side
And he looked so satisfied
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
A picture from the past came slowly stealin'
As I brushed your arm and walked so close to you
The-en suddenly I got that old-time feelin'
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you (still in love with you)

(Today I passed you on the street)
Today I passed you on the street
(And my heart fell at your feet)
And my heart fell at your feet

I can't help it if I'm still in love with you

(Somebody else stood by your side)
Somebody else stood by your side
(And he looked so satisfied)
And, ya know, he looked so satisfied

I can't help it if I'm still in love with you

Oh, it hurts to know another's lips will kiss you
And hold ya just the way I used to do
Oh-oh-oh-oh heaven only knows how much I miss, how much that I miss ya
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you





(Still in love with you)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ricky Nelson's song "I Can't Help It" express the pain and frustration of still being in love with someone even though they have moved on with someone else. The singer describes passing the person on the street and having their heart "fall" at their feet, indicating a powerful emotional reaction. When they see the person with someone else who looks satisfied, they can't help but feel envious and yearn for what they once had. The singer then describes a moment where they brush against the person and memories come flooding back, causing them to feel the same old-time feeling of being in love with this person despite everything that has happened.


This song taps into a universal human emotion - the pain of unrequited love. The lyrics are poignant and heartfelt, and the melody is simple yet powerful. Nelson's voice adds to the emotion, conveying the sadness and longing that the lyrics express. Throughout the song, the singer knows that their love is unrequited and that they cannot change the situation - they "can't help it" if they are still in love with this person.


Overall, "I Can't Help It" is a beautiful and relatable song that captures the feeling of unrequited love in a powerful and poetic way.


Line by Line Meaning

Today I passed you on the street
As I walked down the street, I saw you passing by


And my heart fell at your feet
My heart started to ache as I saw you


I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
I cannot control my emotions because I still love you


Somebody else stood by your side
I saw you with someone else walking beside you


And, ya know, he looked so satisfied
He seemed content being with you


Oh, it hurts to know another's lips will kiss you
It pains me to think of someone else kissing you


And hold ya just the way I used to do
Holding you the way I used to hold you brings back memories


Oh-oh-oh-oh heaven only knows how much I miss, how much that I miss ya
I miss you deeply and I do not know how to deal with it


I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
No matter how hard I try, I still have feelings for you




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hank Williams

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Huong Bui

Today I passed you on the street
And my heart fell at your feet
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
Somebody else stood by your side
And he looked so satisfied
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you

A picture from the past came slowly stealing
As I brushed your arm and walked so close to you
Then suddenly I got that old time feeling
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you

It's hard to know another's lips will kiss you
And hold you just the way I used to do
Oh heaven only knows how much I miss you
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you



All comments from YouTube:

Nina Garcia

LOve to see this live version of this song, so far the best version. Elvis also sang this in his concert but did not make a formal recording.

catman916

This song appeared on the album Ricky Sings Again released in 1959. As with many of his songs at the time, The Jordanaires were the background singers and the great James Burton played guitar.

Eric Crowder

What I like about these old ricky songs is they are live!. Ricky sings, Jame Burton is just a boy wonder then .Watch him playing as he looks to Ricky and keeps up the time, the rhythm. he does all this without ever need ing to look at his fretboard for finger placement. He was a pro B4 his time just like a concert pianist doesnt need to look at the whole piano. He really is/ was a perfect accompianist to Ricky and later Elvis Truly magnificent plectrum and finger guitarist. Quite different from say a classical player but equally brilliant. And his boyhood smile showing how much he loved his musicianship without bling.

Huong Bui

Today I passed you on the street
And my heart fell at your feet
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
Somebody else stood by your side
And he looked so satisfied
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you

A picture from the past came slowly stealing
As I brushed your arm and walked so close to you
Then suddenly I got that old time feeling
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you

It's hard to know another's lips will kiss you
And hold you just the way I used to do
Oh heaven only knows how much I miss you
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you

Val Dudfield

Rick and the great James Burton, brilliant combination ❤️👍

Peter Jason

Dont think Elvis sang it in concert just a recording at his home wen off duty in the Army..Those home recordings of Elvis and the Early sun ones I Really love..nice version from ricky there👍

John Burkardt

The banner says "service to the community" Ricky is serving the community by rocking out! You're welcome for the school of rock reference! Lol! Love this! <3

fenderblaster21

Great video. That's the first time I've see James Burton playing a Rickenbacker guitar instead of a Fender.

deniel edwards

USED IT A LOT

sunsetgurl1

Beautiful! 

More Comments

More Versions