"Can't Help Falling in Love" was written for Elvis Presley’s 1961 movie, “Blue Hawaii.” The melody was taken from the French love song, "Plaisir d'amour.” which was written in 1784 by Jean-Paul-Égide Martini. Elvis’ tune soon topped the charts and has become one of the most popular songs of all time. Early covers include those by Perry Como, the Lennon Sisters, Doris Day, Patti Page, Andy Williams, Al Martino, Marty Robbins, Bob Dylan, The Stylistics, Shirley Bassey, and Engelbert Humperdinck.
"Can't Help Falling in Love" is performed at a moderately slow tempo. Like the earlier tune, it is normally performed in 6/8 or even 12/8 time (four sets of three). I have put it in 4/4, here. You may place a capo at the second fret if you wish to match the original key. My cockatoo, Nicky, likes it in “C.” I will follow up with a complete arrangement which transitions from 4/4 to 12/8 soon.
Elvis is known as the “King of Rock and Roll.” His early performances caused such a sensation that TV stations wouldn’t film him from the waist down. Fevered teenagers would go wild. He was more than a heart throb, though. His records have sold more than 500 million copies, worldwide. Almost fifty years after his passing, his residence, “Graceland,” is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists each year.
The score above covers the video, but the full arrangement is available to paid subscribers.
