Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley, A Romantic Classic with Island Roots

How Elvis embraced Hawaiian culture, why this ukulele favorite endures, and where today’s players find aloha in a modern Maui ukulele shop

Few songs are as instantly recognizable — or emotionally moving — as Can’t Help Falling in Love. Recorded by Elvis Presley in 1961 for the film Blue Hawaii, it’s since become a wedding standard, lullaby, and ukulele favorite for players around the world.

But there’s more Hawaiian influence in the song than most people realize — and a long legacy connecting this tune to the islands, ukuleles, and the laid-back spirit of Maui.

🌺 The Hawaiian Soundtrack to Elvis’s Life

Can’t Help Falling in Love was featured in Blue Hawaii, one of several films Elvis shot in the islands during the early ‘60s. That era marked his deepening connection to Hawaiian music, people, and culture — which often included the use of ukulele in arrangements and film scenes.

In fact, Blue Hawaii’s soundtrack spent 20 weeks at #1 on the Billboard chart and helped solidify the uke as the sound of paradise in the public imagination.

Pro tip: The song’s melody is loosely based on a French love song, “Plaisir d’Amour” — giving it that timeless, romantic quality.

🎶 A Favorite for Beginner and Intermediate Uke Players

The song is ideal for players learning dynamics and expression — and thanks to its slow pace and predictable chord changes (C, Em, Am, F, G, etc.), it’s both approachable and deeply satisfying to play.

Whether strummed softly or fingerpicked, it’s the kind of tune that sounds even sweeter on a warm-sounding Hawaiian uke.

🎸 Want that island romance sound? Explore a beautifully crafted Handcrafted Hawaiian Ukulele — the kind you might find in a true Maui ukulele shop, right here at Island Bazaar.

🏝️ The Spirit of the Maui Ukulele Shop

Maui’s music scene remains deeply tied to tradition and craft — where ukulele shops don’t just sell instruments; they share stories, culture, and aloha.

At Island Bazaar, we channel that same spirit — curating exceptional Hawaiian-made ukuleles with care, just like you’d find in a beloved Lahaina music shop.

🔗 Sources

• Elvis Presley – “Can’t Help Falling in Love” History

• Blue Hawaii Soundtrack Info – AllMusic

• Ukulele Chords & Tabs – Ultimate Guitar

• About “Plaisir d’Amour” – Smithsonian Folkways