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."
Mr Brightside
Paul Anka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I gotta, gotta be down, I'm wanting it all
It started out with a kiss, how did it end up like this?
Only a kiss, it was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep and she's calling a cab
He's having a smoke and she's taking a drag
They're going to bed and my stomach is sick
She's touching his chest
Now, he takes off her dress, now, let me, let me go
I just can't look because it's killing me
And it's taking control
[Chorus]
Jealousy turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibis
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
I'm Mr. Brightside
I'm Mr. Brightside
Mr Brightside
Now I'm falling asleep and she's calling a cab
He's having a smoke and she's taking a drag
They're going to bed and my stomach is sick
It's all in my head
[Chorus]
I'm Mr. Brightside
I'm Mr. Brightside
I'm Mr. Brightside
I am Mr. Brightside
Brightside, you can call me Brightside
The song "Mr Brightside" by Paul Anka is about a man's struggle with jealousy and suspicion in his relationship. The song describes the singer's frustration with his own insecurity as he watches his significant other interact with another man. The lyrics "Coming out of my cage, I'm doing just fine" convey the singer's attempt to put up a front of being okay with the situation. However, the lyrics "It started out with a kiss, how did it end up like this? Only a kiss, it was only a kiss" reveal that the singer is bothered by the fact that the relationship took a turn for the worse after a single innocent kiss.
As the song progresses, the singer experiences intense emotions as he imagines his significant other being intimate with the other man. The lyrics "She's touching his chest/Now, he takes off her dress, now, let me, let me go/I just can't look because it's killing me/And it's taking control" reveal the singer's intense jealousy and frustration as he struggles to come to terms with the fact that his relationship may be coming to an end. The chorus, "Jealousy turning saints into the sea/Swimming through sick lullabies/Choking on your alibis/But it's just the price I pay/Destiny is calling me/Open up my eager eyes/I'm Mr. Brightside" conveys the message that the singer is trying to push himself to be optimistic, even in the face of intense feelings of jealousy and heartbreak.
Overall, "Mr Brightside" is a deeply emotional song that explores themes of jealousy, suspicion, and heartbreak in a relationship. The song taps into the complex emotions that come with being in a relationship and provides a moving commentary on the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Coming out of my cage, I'm doing just fine
I am finally free from my previous relationship and moving on. It's not easy, but I am trying to stay positive.
And I gotta, gotta be down, I'm wanting it all
I am fully committed to moving forward and experiencing everything the world has to offer. This includes new opportunities and relationships.
It started out with a kiss, how did it end up like this?
Things were great in the beginning of the relationship, but somehow it all fell apart and I can't figure out why.
Only a kiss, it was only a kiss
The relationship didn't necessarily end because of the kiss, but it was a turning point that led to the downfall.
Now I'm falling asleep and she's calling a cab
I am alone and she has moved on, going out for the night, perhaps with someone new.
He's having a smoke and she's taking a drag
My ex and her new partner are indulging in vices as they enjoy their night out together.
They're going to bed and my stomach is sick
The thought of them being intimate together is upsetting and makes me physically ill.
It's all in my head
These thoughts and feelings are all self-generated and not necessarily reflective of reality.
She's touching his chest
The intimacy between them is further confirmed and causes me emotional pain.
Now, he takes off her dress, now, let me, let me go
The lyrics suggest the artist is watching this take place, and it's hard for him to keep watching, he wants to walk away.
I just can't look because it's killing me
The pain and anguish of watching his ex with someone else is unbearable and causing great emotional harm.
And it's taking control
These thoughts and feelings are consuming him and he is losing control of his own mind and emotions.
Jealousy turning saints into the sea
The powerful emotion of jealousy can cause even the most morally-upstanding individuals to act irrationally and in ways that are damaging to themselves and others.
Swimming through sick lullabies
Jealousy can be all-consuming and distracting, like a sickening lullaby that never ends.
Choking on your alibis
The grief and anger caused by jealousy can make it hard to accept any excuses or justifications given by the subject of jealousy.
But it's just the price I pay
The emotional toll of jealousy is a burden that the artist must bear alone and is part of the cost of moving on from the end of a relationship.
Destiny is calling me
The artist feels a sense of fate or purpose calling him towards something greater than just this singular relationship and its demise.
Open up my eager eyes
The singer is ready and willing to accept new opportunities and experiences with an open mind and heart.
I'm Mr. Brightside
Despite the pain and difficulty of moving on, the singer is optimistic and hopeful for the future.
Brightside, you can call me Brightside
The artist is fully embracing their new identity and outlook, one of hope and positivity, and is ready to let go of the past.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brandon Flowers, Dave Brent Keuning, Mark August Stoermer, Ronnie Jr. Vannucci
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind