Introduction
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” is a timeless ballad by Elvis Presley, featured in his 1961 film Blue Hawaii. Written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss, the song’s melody is based on the 1784 French love song “Plaisir d’Amour” by Jean-Paul-Égide Martini. Initially penned from a woman’s perspective, the lyrics were adapted to suit Presley’s performance .
Elvis recorded the track on March 23, 1961, at Radio Recorders in Hollywood. The recording session featured his regular band members, including Scotty Moore on guitar, D.J. Fontana on drums, Bob Moore on bass, Floyd Cramer on piano, and The Jordanaires providing backing vocals . The song was released as a single on November 21, 1961, with “Rock-A-Hula Baby” as the B-side.
Upon its release, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” achieved significant commercial success. In the United States, it peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, where it remained for six weeks. The single sold over a million copies in the U.S., earning a gold certification from the RIAA .
Internationally, the song topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks in 1962. Its enduring popularity has led to numerous covers by artists across various genres, including UB40’s reggae version in 1993, which also achieved global chart success . Elvis’s rendition remains a classic, often featured in weddings and romantic settings, solidifying its place in music history.