About The Song
“I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still in Love with You)” is a song written and originally recorded by Hank Williams on MGM Records. It hit number two on the Billboard country singles chart in 1951. In his autobiography, George Jones printed the first six lines of the song and stated, “Its lyrics couldn’t be more simple – or profound.”
According to Colin Escott’s 2004 book Hank Williams: The Biography, fiddler Jerry Rivers always claimed that Hank wrote the song in the touring sedan, and when he came up with the opening line, “Today I passed you on the street,” and then asked for suggestions, steel guitarist Don Helms replied, “And I smelled your rotten feet.” The song was recorded at Castle Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 16, 1951, and issued as MGM catalog No. 10961.
Williams was backed on the session by members of his Drifting Cowboys band, including: Rivers, Helms, Sammy Pruett (electric guitar), Jack Shook (rhythm guitar), Ernie Newton or “Cedric Rainwater” aka Howard Watts (bass), and either Owen Bradley or producer Fred Rose on piano. It was released as the B-side of “Howlin’ at the Moon”, but on the strength of its simple language and passionate singing, soared to number two on the Billboard Country Singles chart.
Williams sang the song with Anita Carter on the Kate Smith Evening Hour on April 23, 1952. The rare television appearance is one of the few film clips of Williams in performance.
Video
Lyrics
Well, I ain’t in such good shape to title this first
And as I just can’t it, if I could I would but I can’t, so therefore
I can’t help it, huh? Here we go
Today I passed you on the street
And my heart fell at your feet
I can’t help it if I’m still in love with you
Somebody else stood by your side
And he looked so satisfied
I can’t help it if I’m still in love with you
A picture from the past came slowly stealin’
As I brushed your arm and walked so close to you
Then suddenly I got that old time feelin’
I can’t help it if I’m still in love with you
It’s hard to know another’s lips will kiss you
And hold you just the way I used to do
Oh, heaven only knows how much I miss you
I can’t help it if I’m still in love with you
Ain’t no need for us to say that’s a good hymn
‘Cause about five million people already said it
I can’t help it