“I Can’t Stop Loving You“ is a popular song written and composed by country singer, songwriter and musician Don Gibson….who first recorded it on December 30, 1957, for RCA Victor Records….which was released in 1958 as the B-side of “Oh, Lonesome Me”….and thus becoming a double-sided country hit single….whereas aAt the time of Gibson’s death in 2003…..the song had been recorded by more than 700 artists.
The song was covered by Ray Charles in 1962….while being featured on Charles’ Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music….and released as a single….as Charles’ version reached # 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962 for five weeks….as well as this version went to # 1 on the U.S. R&B and Adult Contemporary charts…..while Billboard has ranked it as the # 2 song for 1962….plus, Charles’ version reached # 1 in the UK Singles Chart in July 1962….where it stayed for two weeks.
The Ray Charles version is noted for his saying the words before the last five lines of the song on the final chorus….”Sing the Song, Children”…..with choral backing was provided by The Randy Van Horne Singers….which was ranked # 164 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time….. and # 49 on CMT’s “100 Greatest Songs in Country Music”.
