Can't Stop Fallin' into Love explained

Can't Stop Fallin' into Love
Cover:Cheap_Trick-cant_stop_fallin_into_love.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Cheap Trick
Album:Busted
B-Side:You Drive, I'll Steer
Released:July 1990
Genre:Rock
Length:3:49
Label:Epic
Producer:Richie Zito
Prev Title:Let Go
Prev Year:1989
Next Title:Wherever Would I Be
Next Year:1990

"Can't Stop Fallin' into Love" is a song by the American rock band Cheap Trick, which was released in 1990 as the lead single from their eleventh studio album Busted. It was written by guitarist Rick Nielsen, lead singer Robin Zander and bassist Tom Petersson, and Fred Nesbit,[1] and was produced by Richie Zito.[2]

Following the band's commercial comeback with Lap of Luxury in 1988, "Can't Stop Fallin' into Love" and its parent album Busted attempted to capitalize on the previous album's success. The song reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, which was considered disappointing to Epic. It would be Cheap Trick's last single to reach the Top 40.[3]

Background

"Can't Stop Fallin' into Love" was originally written as an instrumental track in early 1987.[4] Once the band had added lyrics, the song was demoed in Milwaukee, with blues singer/songwriter Harvey Scales on vocals. Soon after, Zander presented a copy of the demo to Rod Stewart and although the singer expressed interest in recording the song for his upcoming album, Epic blocked the deal as they felt Cheap Trick should record and release their own version instead.[5]

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Nigel Dick and produced by Lisa Hollinshead.[6]

Release

"Can't Stop Fallin' into Love" was released by Epic on 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl and CD. The 12" vinyl and a limited edition CD single were released in the UK only, with a 12" vinyl also released for the Netherlands.[7] For its release as a single, the song had a "Radio Mix" produced.[8] The single's B-side, "You Drive, I'll Steer", was taken from Busted.[9] The 12" vinyl released in the Netherlands featured the extra track "I Can't Understand It", also from Busted.[10] On the 12" vinyl released in the UK, the "LP Version" of the song was used, along with "You Drive, I'll Steer" and the band's 1988 US chart-topper "The Flame". The UK CD single used the same track listing but the A-side was the "Radio Mix".

Critical reception

Upon release, Billboard commented: "Strumming guitar rocker should easily build upon the momentum started by group's career-resuscitating project last year."[11] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote: "A grandiose ballad from the reformed rockers. Hook-heavy music full of ringing guitars and macho lyrics."[12]

In a review of the single, AllMusic gave three out of five stars and wrote: ""Can't Stop Fallin' into Love" began life as an instrumental, but the worthless words make the piece shine. Zander pouts and preens in prime peacock fashion, quoting trashy Rod Stewart and grimy greats the Troggs. High on the platinum fumes of the glistening Lap of Luxury, the charismatic quartet seems happy and comfortable (temporarily) back on top. Slipping love letters and suicide notes under a "Stone Free" bassline and glossy adult contemporary sheen, this track is positively Cheap Trick at their subversive best."[13]

Track listing

7" Single
  1. "Can't Stop Fallin' into Love (Radio Mix)" - 3:49
  2. "You Drive, I'll Steer" - 4:33
12" Single (UK release)
  1. "Can't Stop Fallin' into Love (LP Version)" - 3:49
  2. "The Flame" - 4:33
  3. "You Drive, I'll Steer" - 4:33
12" Single (Dutch release)
  1. "Can't Stop Fallin' into Love" - 3:49
  2. "You Drive, I'll Steer" - 4:33
  3. "I Can't Understand It" - 3:29
CD Single (UK Limited Edition release)
  1. "Can't Stop Fallin' into Love (Radio Mix)" - 3:49
  2. "The Flame" - 4:30
  3. "You Drive, I'll Steer" - 4:33

Charts

Chart (1990)Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart[14] 26
Canadian RPM Top Singles[15] 6
US Billboard Hot 100[16] 12
US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks[17] 4

Personnel

Cheap Trick
Additional personnel

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Songview Search: Can't Stop Fallin' into Love . . March 10, 2024.
  2. Web site: Cheap Trick - Busted. .
  3. Cheap Trick. .
  4. Billboard magazine - Talent: Cheap Trick offers new audio treat - Ed Christman - October 6, 1990 - page 32
  5. Book: Reputation Is a Fragile Thing. Hayes, M. . Sharp, K.. 164. 1998. Poptastic. 978-0-9662081-0-8.
  6. Billboard magazine - New videoclips - August 18, 1990 - page 64
  7. Web site: Cheap Trick - Can't Stop Fallin' Into Love at Discogs . Discogs.com . 2012-03-11.
  8. Web site: Cheap Trick - Can't Stop Fallin' Into Love (Vinyl) at Discogs . Discogs.com . 2012-03-11.
  9. Web site: Cheap Trick - Busted at Discogs . Discogs.com . 2012-03-11.
  10. Web site: Cheap Trick - Can't Stop Fallin' Into Love (Vinyl) at Discogs . Discogs.com . 2012-03-11.
  11. Billboard magazine - Single reviews - July 21, 1990 - page 75
  12. Music & Media magazine - Previews: Singles - August 25, 1990 - page 11
  13. Web site: Can't Stop Fallin' into Love - Cheap Trick | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic. .
  14. Web site: Steffen Hung . Cheap Trick - Can't Stop Fallin' Into Love . australian-charts.com . 2012-03-11 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121113022037/http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Cheap+Trick&titel=Can%27t+Stop+Fallin%27+Into+Love&cat=s . 2012-11-13 .
  15. Web site: Results - RPM - Library and Archives Canada . https://archive.today/20120723212602/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=11jq1uuicfbth860997u8p11q4&q1=Cheap+Trick+Stop+Fallin&q2=Top+Singles&interval=20 . dead . 2012-07-23 . Collectionscanada.gc.ca . 2012-03-11 .
  16. Web site: [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=cheap trick|chart=all}} Cheap Trick US chart history ]. . 2010-08-28.
  17. Web site: Cheap Trick . AllMusic . 2012-03-11.