The five greatest covers of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’
Decades ago, in 1961, Elvis Presley headed into the studio to record ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’. History was made, as what was arguably the greatest love song of all time was brought to life.
Funny thing is, Elvis’ version of the song wasn’t even the original. Like a lot of tunes from the 1950s and ’60s, it was a cover – but he properly made it his own. What’s curious is how he tackled it, though: instead of belting out the big notes (which we all know he could), he kept it dead low-key. Barely raised his voice. It’s like he was whispering the words to someone sitting right next to him, all soft and sincere.
Since Elvis’ sweet-sounding rendition, we have been treated to a range of different interpretations of the track. Plenty of different singers and bands have taken the classic and put their own spin on it. Some covers turn out great, others come out as… less so. Today, on the anniversary of the most famous rendition recording, we’re going to celebrate the best.
This list will comprise the five artists who have taken these sweet, timeless words and made them their own.
The five best covers of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’
Elvis Presley
It seems like a bit of a cheat code putting this version on the list, but we must remember the classic by Presley which we all know and love wasn’t an original offering.
The original song was put together by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore and George David Weiss. A number of different inspirations from various time periods helped with the song’s creation, but one of the most prominent factors was Jean-Paul-Égide Martini and a track he wrote in France in 1784.
It was recorded by Elvis Presley on October 1st, 1961, and while accounts of what happened in the studio are sparse, you can bet there will have been a mutual feeling that Elvis had tapped into something special. The sweet way in which he sings is unlike any other variation of the song, it’s effortless in its simple beauty, creating a sound which is still considered timeless to this day.
Beck
A lot of people criticise TV series when their soundtracks are just modern artists performing old covers, and while these efforts can often feel a little forced and boring, Beck’s rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’, which he recorded for the series The Man In The High Castle, is an exception.
His approach to the song, you could say, is comparable to Elvis’s. The music uses the same chord structure, the strings remain subtle, and Beck’s vocals are subdued and sweet. It’s not how we’re used to hearing the anti-folk icon, but this cover really celebrates his range.
UB40
When you cover a song, you can either stay true to the original and make your version an homage to it, or you can give the track a new kind of spin which separates it from other versions. UB40 chose the latter approach, and their reggae infused version of the song, despite dividing audiences, in this writer’s opinion, is a classic.
The sweetness of the track remains, it continues to be a love song, and that love is delicately handled throughout the track. Additionally, though, the song is given a new bounce to it, one that allows you to dance with that loved one rather than just sit there and serenade them.
Spiritualized
Alright, so it’s not technically a cover – but come on, how could Spiritualized’s ‘Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space’ not make the cut? It’s an absolute beauty. Properly layered and full of atmosphere, but still manages to feel raw and honest, like it’s coming straight from the heart.
The way it weaves in the lyrics from ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ gives the track that extra bit of heart. That soft, aching “wise men say, only fools rush in” running quietly underneath feels less like a lyric and more like a quiet nudge – a plea, almost. Like a note scribbled on someone’s palm, telling them to take it slow… even though, by that point, they’re already falling headfirst.
Haley Reinhart
UB40 and Spiritualized take a classic song and make it something new, it’s incredibly exciting to hear artists do that. However, when it comes to covers, there is also something inherently brilliant about just having an artist take the original song and perform it beautifully. There are plenty of people who have done this with ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’, but one of the best is Haley Reinhart.
Her voice glides in between the two overwhelming feelings that tend to surround love, one of which is being absolutely certain in what you’re doing, the second of which is constantly questioning the current situation. Reinhart really delivers with this cover, one of the most beautiful renditions of the song out there.
