Can't Help Falling in Love
The Stylistics 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

The Stylistics's hit song, Can't Help Falling in Love, is a romantic ballad that speaks of two people leaning into the possibility of falling in love, despite many possible obstacles in between them. The chorus and opening lines begin with the juxtaposition of wise men advising against rushing into love and the lyrical protagonist who cannot help but fall in love. The song speaks to the idea of love being inevitable, like a river flowing to the sea. The lyrics are relatively simple, but they are wrapped in a beautiful melody that lends an emotional depth to the words.

The song's imagery of a river flowing towards a sea reinforces that some things are just destined to happen. The use of the word "Darling" in the lyrics adds a touch of endearment to the song. The lyrics suggest that while the singer is surrendering and allowing themselves to be vulnerable, they are also inviting the other person to do the same. The line, "Take my hand, take my whole life too/For I can't help falling in love with you," is very powerful, as it expresses the idea of full surrender and a willingness to share all aspects of life with a loved one.

Line by Line Meaning

Wise men say only fools rush in
Experienced or wise people suggest that only reckless or unwise individuals hastily jump into love without much thought.

But I can't help falling in love with you
Despite the advice of caution, the singer confesses their inability to control their emotions and feelings of love towards the person addressed in the song.

Shall I stay
The singer addresses a rhetorical question, pondering whether it is worth sticking around or leaving the person of their affection.

Would it be a sin
The singer wonders if their attraction and emotions are wrong or immoral in any way, possibly due to outside influences or societal norms.

If I can't help falling in love with you
The singer reaffirms that they have no choice but to fall in love with the person addressed in the song, as their feelings are too strong to ignore.

Like a river flows surely to the sea
The singer compares their love to a natural and unstoppable force, much like how water from a river inevitably flows towards the ocean.

Darling so it goes
The singer acknowledges the inevitability of their love, as if to say that it is simply a part of life's journey and cannot be avoided.

Some things are meant to be
The singer affirms that certain events or feelings are fated or predetermined, and that their love may fall into this category.

Take my hand, take my whole life too
The singer offers their entire being, including their life and existence, to the person they love, showing the depth and sincerity of their emotions.

For I can't help falling in love with you
The song ends by restating the singer's inability to resist their feelings of love towards the person they address, emphasizing the strength and depth of their emotions.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: George Weiss, Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS