He began singing as a child, first starting in the St Elijah Syrian Orthodox Church choir in Ottawa. As a student at Ottawa's Fisher Park High School he was part of a trio called the Bobby Soxers.
Encouraged by his parents, at age 14 he recorded his first single, I Confess. In 1957 he went to New York City where he auditioned for ABC, singing a lovestruck verse he had written to a former babysitter, Diana Ayoub. The song, Diana, brought Anka instant stardom as it rocketed to number one on the charts. Diana is one of the best selling 45s in music history. He followed up with four songs that made it into the Top 20 in 1958, making him one of the biggest teen idols of the time. He toured Britain and then, with Buddy Holly, toured Australia.
His talent went beyond singing, writing Buddy Holly's giant hit, It Doesn't Matter Anymore, the theme for Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, Tom Jones' biggest hit record, She's A Lady, and the English lyrics for My Way, Frank Sinatra's signature song and sung by many well known artists, including Greta Keller, for whom the words were very fitting.
In the 1960s, Anka would begin acting in motion pictures as well as writing songs for them, most notably the theme for the hit movie The Longest Day. From his movie work, he wrote and recorded his monster hit, Lonely Boy. He then went on to become one of the first pop singers to perform at the Las Vegas casinos.
After more than ten years without a hit record, in 1974 he teamed up with Odia Coates to record the number 1 hit, Having My Baby. They would record two more duets that both made it into the Top 10. In 1975, he wrote a jingle for Kodak called The Times of Your Life. The jingle became so popular, he recorded it as a full song, The Times of Your Life, and it became a hit a year later.
By the 1970s, Anka's career centered around adult contemporary and big-band standards, played regularly in Las Vegas. On September 6, 1990, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States. He returned to his home town to buy a part of the Ottawa Senators hockey team.
In 1999 he visited Lebanon for sell-out performances at the Forum de Beyrouth (The Beirut Forum).
Paul Anka was elected to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1980. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6840 Hollywood Blvd. In 1991, the Government of France honored him with the title "Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters". He was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada in 2005.
On the WB show Gilmore Girls, Lorelai named her new dog Paul Anka. He also made a guest appearance as himself in the episode "The Real Paul Anka", which aired April 11, 2006.
Paul Anka recently did a live session on Live @ The Orange Lounge playing songs from his new cover-CD Rock Swings.
Notable rap artist Jay-Z featured his vocals on the track I Did it my Way on The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse in 2002.
He became infamous amongst musicians (and more recently to internet users) for a mid-70's after-show tirade which was secretly recorded by a "snake we later fired" (Anka: Fresh Air interview). The diatribe, in which Anka berates his crew and band members, has spawned a number of in-joke references and quotations, the main ones being: "The guys get shirts", "Where's Joe?", and "Slice like a hammer."
Cinderella
Paul Anka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's late now
While your lips were kissin' mine
I forgot to watch the time
And I'm sorry
Cinderella cinderella, pretty pretty pretty cinderella
I promise
I bet cha done think
It was just a line
Cinderella
Twelve o'clock, twelve o'clock
Was what we bargained for
What are we gonna tell your mom and dad
When we're at your front door
Cinderella cinderella, pretty pretty pretty cinderella
Have faith now
I am sure the one above
Will preserve our lasting love
Cinderella
It's late now
I promise
Twelve o'clock, twelve o'clock
Was what we bargained for
Now what do I tell
Your mother and dad
When were at your front door
Oh cinderella cindrella, pretty pretty cinderella
Have faith now
I am sure the one above
Will preserve our lasting love
Cinderella
Whoa such a oretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty cinderella
The song Cinderella by Paul Anka tells the story of a young couple who loses track of time while they were together. The singer, presumably a young man, apologizes to his girlfriend, Cinderella, for not taking her home on time. He talks about his promise to her to return home on time but forgot to watch the time while their lips were locked. He assures her that he will do whatever takes to preserve their love. The song refers to the well-known fairytale of Cinderella who has to return home from the ball by midnight, which underpins the importance of time in the song. The singer also contemplates what to tell Cinderella's parents when they arrive late, as if he is worried about their disapproval.
Furthermore, the song appears to praise Cinderella's beauty, emphasizing that the female protagonist is "pretty pretty pretty Cinderella." She seems to be the center of attention throughout the song, with the singer remorseful for anything that could have gone wrong, blaming himself for losing track of time with such a mesmerizing woman. The song's lyrics are a reminder of the innocence and naivety of first love, with the two protagonists believing that their preserved love will conquer everything else.
Line by Line Meaning
Cinderella cinderella, pretty pretty pretty cinderella
The singer addresses Cinderella and admires her beauty.
It's late now
The singer realizes that time has passed and they are running late.
While your lips were kissin' mine, I forgot to watch the time
The singer was distracted by Cinderella's affection and did not monitor the time properly.
And I'm sorry
The artist expresses remorse for causing Cinderella to be late.
I promise, Promised we'd be home on time
The artist assures Cinderella that they will arrive home on schedule.
I bet cha done think, It was just a line
The singer acknowledges that Cinderella may have doubted their earlier promise.
Twelve o'clock, twelve o'clock, Was what we bargained for
The agreed upon curfew was midnight.
What are we gonna tell your mom and dad, When we're at your front door
The artist is concerned about facing Cinderella's parents after arriving home late.
Have faith now, I am sure the one above, Will preserve our lasting love
The artist encourages Cinderella to trust in a higher power to protect their love.
Now what do I tell, Your mother and dad, When were at your front door
The artist repeats their worry about facing Cinderella's parents.
Oh cinderella cindrella, pretty pretty cinderella
The singer continues to praise Cinderella's physical beauty.
Whoa such a oretty pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty cinderella
The artist reiterates their admiration for Cinderella's appearance.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PAUL ANKA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind