Can’t Help Falling in Love: Elvis versus JVKV
October 17, 2008
Elvis versus JVKV
Can’t Help Falling in Love: Elvis versus JVKV
Examples of different versions of 'Can't Help Falling in Love'
“Songs need new voices to sing them in places they’ve never been sung in order to stay alive. (Emmylou Harris, qtd. in Griffith)” (Plasketes, 2005, p.137). This seems to be the case with Elvis’ ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ and JVKV. Although this song has not been lacking in coverage, covered many times by the likes of UB40 to U2, and Andrea Bocelli to Bon Jovi, JVKV is notable in their version as they appeal to a different audience. Cusic affirms, “the cover version of the song reached a new audience who never heard the “original” version. The “new” audience was separated by a generation or by musical taste (Cusic, 2005, p.173).
Elvis’ ‘original’ version of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ in the movie ‘Blue Hawaii‘
JVKV’s version of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’
Which version appeals more to you?
Not only does JVKV bring ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ to a new generation with a different musical taste, but to a new area of the world through the adaptation of the lyrics to accommodate the Chinese audience. By adapting the lyrics, the song has been transformed into an original creation, differing majorly from the original. In JVKV’s version, it starts with an English rap, “Who’s that? At the door? One time, let’s go” (http://www.lyricsbox.com/f4-lyrics-can’t-help-falling-in-love-v5v4jzj.html) that does not appear in the Elvis’, and that is just the beginning of the song. The rest of the lyrics are indistinguishable to the previous audience, with only the song’s title phrase remaining, “coz I can’t help falling in love with you” (http://www.lyricsbox.com/f4-lyrics-can’t-help-falling-in-love-v5v4jzj.html). This change in language gives JVKV’s cover significant precedence, not only appealing to a now obtainable audience, but by transforming the lyrics, the appeal increases, as a mere translation would not necessarily suit the audience’s culture.
JVKV realise the significance of their cover as evident in an interview. Vanness Wu declares, “We’ll do our best to make this song a hit for our generation” (JVKV, 2002) recognising the importance to keep the song alive. Vic Zhou remarks on the differences to Elvis’ original recording, “Compared to the original, our version is a bit different. We’re changing the beat and the melody slightly so that it’s more contemporary” (JVKV, 2002). This signifies the adaptation necessary to appeal to the new audience, a transformation that should also be of value. Ken Chu’s comment, “Re-recording this classic hit from Elvis, I hope we don’t let him down” (JVKV, 2002) highlights another notable aspect of covers; paying homage or commemorating an artist (Homan, 2006, p.3). Lastly, Jerry Yan’s insight, “I hope that we can deliver a fresh new feel to the song” (JVKV, 2002), affirms their aim to creatively interpret the song innovatively.
Lilo and Stitch Exclusive F4 (JVKV) Interview
JVKV’s cover of ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ was released not only as part of their album, Fantasy 4ever, but also as part of Disney’s Lilo and Stitch movie. Thus, another argument for the cover’s importance rests on it filling the demand in Asia for Disney movie soundtracks spurred on by Beauty and the Beast’s Chinese language original soundtrack released in the 90s, which sparked the call for songs understandable for Chinese youths (Ho, 2003, p.16).
JVKV for Lilo and Stitch
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