Introduction
Here’s a 300‑word introduction to “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley, based entirely on verified information:
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” was penned in 1961 by songwriting trio Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss for Elvis Presley’s film Blue Hawaii. Its melody is elegantly adapted from the 1784 French classical love ballad “Plaisir d’amour”, composed by Jean-Paul-Égide Martini with lyrics by Jean-Pierre Claris de Florian . Originally written from a woman’s perspective—“Can’t Help Falling in Love with Him”—the lyrics retain vestiges of that original viewpoint in their phrasing .
Elvis recorded the track on March 23, 1961, at Hollywood’s Radio Recorders studio. The session featured notable musicians: Scotty Moore and Hank Garland on guitars, Floyd Cramer on piano, Bob Moore on upright bass, D.J. Fontana on drums, Hal Blaine on percussion, Boots Randolph on sax, Alvino Rey on pedal steel, George Fields on harmonica, Freddie Tavares on ukulele, Dudley Brooks on celesta, with backup vocals by The Jordanaires . Notably, Presley insisted on perfection, reportedly completing 29 takes to capture the ideal vocal performance .
In Blue Hawaii, Elvis serenades his character’s girlfriend’s grandmother—over a music-box rendition before swelling to a full orchestral arrangement . Released as a single on November 21, 1961 (paired with “Rock‑A‑Hula Baby”), it became more popular than its A‑side, charting at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Adult Contemporary chart for six weeks; it also reached No. 1 in the UK
The song evolved into a live staple: used to close concerts and featured in televised shows like Aloha from Hawaii (1973) and Elvis’s ’68 Comeback Special . Remarkably, it was the final song he performed in his last live concert on June 26, 1977, in Indianapolis .
Over the decades, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” has blossomed into a global classic—covered by a myriad of artists across genres, including Perry Como, Andy Williams, The Stylistics, UB40 (whose 1993 reggae-pop version topped the U.S. and UK charts), Dylan, Bassey, and more recently Kacey Musgraves for the 2022 Elvis biopic soundtrack .
I hope this accurately captures the song’s rich history. Let me know if you’d like to explore its cultural legacy, cover versions, or relevance in modern media!