B-side You Drive, I'll Steer Genre Rock Label Epic | Released July 1990 Length 3:49 | |
Format 7" Single, 12" single, CD single | ||
"Can't Stop Fallin' into Love" is a song recorded by American rock band Cheap Trick which appeared as the lead single on the album Busted. It was written by lead singer Robin Zander, guitarist Rick Nielson and bassist Tom Petersson. The single was released in 1990 and peaked at number 12 in the US.
Contents
Background
The single and "Busted" album was an attempt to capitalize on the success of the similar style found on the band's previous album Lap of Luxury. Epic Records were disappointed in the peak position of the record. This would be Cheap Trick's last single to peak in the top 40.
The song was demoed in Milwaukee, and featured blues singer/songwriter Harvey Scales on vocals. Soon after, Zander took a copy of the demo to Rod Stewart. Although Stewart expressed interest in recording the song for his upcoming album, Epic Records blocked the deal after expressing their wish for the band to record their own version.
A music video was created for the single, featuring regularly on MTV.
A live version was recorded for the 2001 live set "Silver".
Release
The single was released on 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl and CD single. The 12" vinyl and a limited edition CD single were released in the UK only, with a 12" vinyl also for the Netherlands. The single was titled "Radio Mix" with the mix being the same length as the album version, although especially adapted from the album version for radio/the single.
The b-side "You Drive, I'll Steer" was featured as on the same album, written by Rick Nielsen and Robin Zander.
The 12" vinyl released in the Netherlands featured the extra track "I Can't Understand It", also from the "Busted" album, written by Rick Nielsen and Robin Zander. On the 12" vinyl released in the UK, the "LP Version" of the song was used, along with the b-side and the band's 1988 American chart-topper "The Flame", written by Nick Graham and Robert Mitchell. The UK CD single used the same track listing but the a-side was titled "Radio Mix".
Both tracks were produced by Richie Zito who had previously produced the band's 1988 album "Lap of Luxury" as well as the entire "Busted" album.
Track listing
- "Can't Stop Fallin' into Love (Radio Mix)" - 3:49
- "You Drive, I'll Steer" - 4:33
- "Can't Stop Fallin' into Love (LP Version)" - 3:49
- "The Flame" - 4:33
- "You Drive, I'll Steer" - 4:33
- "Can't Stop Fallin' into Love" - 3:49
- "You Drive, I'll Steer" - 4:33
- "I Can't Understand It" - 3:29
- "Can't Stop Fallin' into Love (Radio Mix)" - 3:49
- "The Flame" - 4:30
- "You Drive, I'll Steer" - 4:33
Critical reception
In a review of the single, Allmusic.com gave three out of five stars, writing "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; "Can't Stop Fallin' Into Love" also ranks as one of the band's biggest (actually reaching number 12 on the Billboard charts) but least remembered (erroneously condemned as a "Flame" retread).
The same review mentions the single's b-side, writing "Uber-overseer Richie Zito overstuffs B-side "You Drive, I'll Steer" with annoyingly horny keys. Cheap Trick nonetheless enjoys coughing up this glib hairball, a nutty left-fielder whose limited high points include references to Cheap Trick's golden period and Fleetwood Mac. Sometimes it seems the zany Cheap Trick gets off on the flip more than the front."
Allmusic.com picks the track as an AMG recommended track.