Falling in Love Again (Can't Help It)
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"Falling in Love Again (Can't Help It)" is the English language name for a 1930 song composed by Frederick Hollander as "Ich bin von Kopf bis Fuß auf Liebe eingestellt." The song was introduced, and popularized, by Marlene Dietrich in the film Der Blaue Engel. The English language words were written by Sammy Lerner, but are in no way a direct translation of the original.
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[edit] The original German is as follows:
Ein rätselhafter Schimmer, ein "je ne sais-pas-quoi"
Liegt in den Augen immer bei einer schönen Frau.
Doch wenn sich meine Augen bei einem vis-à-vis
Ganz tief in seine saugen was sprechen dann sie?
Ich bin von Kopf bis Fuß auf Liebe eingestellt,
Denn das ist meine Welt – und sonst gar nichts.
Das ist, was soll ich machen, meine Natur.
Ich kann halt lieben nur – und sonst gar nichts.
Männer umschwirr‘n mich wie Motten um das Licht
Und wenn sie verbrennen, ja dafür kann ich nichts.
Was bebt in meinen Händen, In ihrem heißen Druck?
Sie möchten sich verschwenden - sie haben nie genug.
Ihr werdet mir verzeihen, Ihr müßt' es halt versteh'n,
Es lockt mich stets von neuem - Ich find' es so schön!
[edit] A rough English translation:
A mysterious glow, a "je ne sais-pas-quoi"
Lies always in the eyes of a beautiful woman.
But if my eyes connect with yours and
Dive in them too deeply, then what do they say?
I am designed for love from head to toe,
That is my world - and nothing else.
That is, what can I do, my nature.
I can only love - and nothing else.
Men flit around me, like moths to the flame.
And if they burn, I can do nothing.
What trembles in my hands, in their hot grip?
They want to squander themselves - they never get enough.
You will forgive me; you must understand.
It tempts me always - I find it so wonderful!
[edit] The English version as published:
Falling in love again,
Never wanted to.
What am I to do?
Can't help it
Love's always been my game
Play it how I may
I was made that way
Can't help it
Men cluster to me like moths around a flame
And if their wings burn, I know I'm not to blame
Falling in love again
Never wanted to
What am I to do?
Can't help it
[edit] Covers
The song has also been recorded by Doris Day (1961), Nina Simone (1966), Kevin Ayers (1976), Klaus Nomi (1982), Linda Ronstadt (1984), Marianne Faithfull (1997), Bryan Ferry (1999), The Puppini Sisters (2006) and Michael Lutzeier (2008). It featured in the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band's 40th anniversary tour of 2006
Madonna also sang a few lines of the song during The Girlie Show Tour in 1993. It is also sung by Lieutenant Gruber in an episode of the hit sitcom 'Allo 'Allo!
A parody of the song, "I'm Tired," can be heard in the Mel Brooks film Blazing Saddles.
Marlene Dietrich's version of the song was used in a 1997 Mercedes-Benz commercial, that Car and Driver listed as the number 3 top car commercials of all time.[1]
