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."
Papa
Paul Anka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To try to make ends meet
To see that we would eat
Keep those shoes upon my feet
Every night my papa would take me
And tuck me in my bed
Kiss me on my head
And there were years
Of sadness and of tears
Through it all
Together we were strong
We were strong
Times were rough
But Papa he was tough
Mama stood beside him all along
Growing up with them was easy
The time had flew on by
The years began to fly
They aged and so did I
And I could tell
That mama she wasn't well
Papa knew and deep down so did she
So did she
When she died
Papa broke down and he cried
And all he could say was, "God, why her? Take me!"
Everyday he sat there sleeping in a rocking chair
He never went upstais
Because she wasn't there
Then one day my Papa said,
"Son, I'm proud of how you've grown"
He said, "Go out and make it on your own.
Don't worry. I'm O.K. alone."
He said, "There are things that you must do"
He said, "There's places you must see"
And his eyes were sad as he
As he said goodbye to me
Every time I kess my children
Papa's words ring true
He said, "Children live through you.
Let them grow! They'll leave you, too"
I remember every word Papa used to say
I kiss my kids and pray
That they'll think of me
Oh how I pray
They will think of me
That way
Someday
The song "Papa" by Paul Anka is a touching dedication from the singer to his father. The song tells of the struggles his father went through to provide for the family, painting a picture of a hardworking man who sacrificed everything to ensure that his children lived a good life. Anka mentions the long working hours his father underwent daily, and the care he took to ensure that his children had food to eat and shoes to wear. Every night, Anka's dad would take him to bed and pray with him, showing a compassionate and loving nature.
The lyrics also mention the sadness and tears that the family went through, but how they emerged stronger for it. Anka talks of his mother's death, and how his father, who was heartbroken, could not bear to be away from his rocking chair where he would spend hours reminiscing about their life together. Despite the heartbreak, Anka's father urged him to go out into the world and experience things for himself, a sign of his unwavering support and love.
In conclusion, the song "Papa" is a touching tribute to a hardworking father who did everything to ensure his family's happiness. The song highlights the love, support, and encouragement that Anka received from his father as he grew up and went into the world to make his mark.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyday my papa would work
My dad would work every day to provide for us
To try to make ends meet
He works hard to balance the family budget
To see that we would eat
He made sure we always had enough food to eat
Keep those shoes upon my feet
He provided for my basic needs, including clothing and shoes
Every night my papa would take me
Every night, my dad would take me to bed
And tuck me in my bed
He would make sure I was comfortable and ready to sleep
Kiss me on my head
He would show his love by kissing me goodnight
After all my prayers were said
He would wait until I finished my prayers before leaving my room
And there were years
We went through many years together
Of sadness and of tears
We faced difficult times together and shed many tears
Through it all
Despite our struggles
Together we were strong
We were a strong family unit
We were strong
We were resilient and able to overcome challenges
Times were rough
Our situation was difficult
But Papa he was tough
My dad was strong and did his best to take care of us
Mama stood beside him all along
My mom supported my dad and was always there for us
Growing up with them was easy
Despite the challenges we faced, growing up with my parents was easy for me
The time had flew on by
Time passed quickly
The years began to fly
As I got older, time seemed to move faster
They aged and so did I
My parents got older and so did I
And I could tell
I could see
That mama she wasn't well
My mom's health was declining
Papa knew and deep down so did she
My dad and mom were aware of her declining health
When she died
After my mom passed away
Papa broke down and he cried
My dad was devastated and cried after my mom's death
And all he could say was, "God, why her? Take me!"
He was questioning why my mom had to die and wished it had been him instead
Everyday he sat there sleeping in a rocking chair
After my mom's death, my dad would sit in a rocking chair and sleep
He never went upstais
He would never go upstairs because my mom was no longer there
Because she wasn't there
My mom was no longer alive
Then one day my Papa said,
After some time had passed, my dad said to me
"Son, I'm proud of how you've grown"
He was proud of my development and how I had matured
He said, "Go out and make it on your own.
He encouraged me to become independent
Don't worry. I'm O.K. alone."
He assured me that he was okay being alone
He said, "There are things that you must do"
He said that I had important tasks to accomplish
He said, "There's places you must see"
He wanted me to experience new places and things
And his eyes were sad as he
He had a hint of sadness in his eyes
As he said goodbye to me
When he said goodbye to me
Every time I kess my children
Every time I kiss my own children
Papa's words ring true
My dad's advice and wisdom remain important to me
He said, "Children live through you.
He told me that my children experience life through me
Let them grow! They'll leave you, too"
He advised me to let my children grow and become independent, just as I had.
I remember every word Papa used to say
I have vivid memories of my dad's wise words and guidance
I kiss my kids and pray
I kiss my own children and say a prayer, much like my dad did with me
That they'll think of me
I hope my children will remember me fondly and think of me often
Oh how I pray
I pray each day for my children's well-being and happiness
They will think of me
I hope that my children will always remember how much I love them
That way
In a positive and loving way
Someday
In the future
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PAUL ANKA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Luis Gerardo Amador Espino
Every day my papa would work
To help to make ends meet
To see that we would eat
Keep those shoes upon my feet
Every night my papa would take and
Tuck me in my bed
Kiss me on my head
After all my prayers were said
Growing up with him was easy
Time just flew on by
The years began to fly
He aged and so did I
I could tell that mama wasn't well
Papa knew and deep down so did she, so did she
When she died, Papa broke down and cried
All he said was, "God, why not take me?"
Every night he sat there sleepin'
In his walkin' chair
He never went upstairs
All because she wasn't there
Then one day my papa said
"Son, I'm proud the way you've grown
Make it on your own
Oh, I'll be ok alone"
Every time I kiss my children
Papa's words ring true
Your children live through you
They'll grow and leave you, too
I remember every word
My papa used to say
I live that every day
He taught me well that way
Every night, my papa would take me
And tuck me in my bed
Kiss me on my head
All my prayers were said
Every night, my papa would take me
And tuck me in my bed
Tuck me in my bed
All my prayers were said
THE LOVELY BOY
Every day my papa would work to
help to make ends meet
To see that we would eat
Keep those shoes upon my feet
Every night my papa would take me
And tuck me in my bed
Kiss me on my head
After all prayers were said
Growing up with him was easy
Time just flew on by
The years began to fly
He aged and so did I
I could tell
That mama wasn’t well
Papa know and deep down so did she
So did she
When she died
Papa broke down and cried
All he said was, “God, why not take me
Everynight he sat there
sleeping in his walking chair
He never want upstairs
All because she wasn’t there
Then one day my papa said
Son,now you have the way you’re grown
Make it on your own
I ‘ll be O.K. alone. “
Every time I kiss my children
Papa’s words ring true
You Children live through you
Then, grow and leave you, too.”
I remember every word
My papa used to say
I live them everyday
He taught me what I feel
Every night my papa would take me
And tuck me in my bed
Kiss me on my head
After all my prayers were said
Ramón Edgardo Sarmiento Matute
I used to listen this song when my father was alive, now he passed away two weeks ago, I am missing him. God bless my dad forever!
Dara_mehr
😔
Tan An Nguyen
God bless him rest in the heaven!
Ramón Edgardo Sarmiento Matute
@Tan An Nguyen Thanks
Ramón Edgardo Sarmiento Matute
@Dara_mehr Thanks
Ramón Edgardo Sarmiento Matute
Hanapi Hamdan Thanks. Best regards
Саарт Кутрашева
Часто слушаю, очень приятный голос, такие нежные слова про отца, вспоминая своего отца, слёзы на глазах. Спасибо.
Pouya Hafezpour
I am sorry for your loss my friend 😔.
A S8
my dad passed way more than 20 ago, cancer. but damn it still hurts.. thanks to Paul for this song, really touches soul
Luis Gerardo Amador Espino
Every day my papa would work
To help to make ends meet
To see that we would eat
Keep those shoes upon my feet
Every night my papa would take and
Tuck me in my bed
Kiss me on my head
After all my prayers were said
Growing up with him was easy
Time just flew on by
The years began to fly
He aged and so did I
I could tell that mama wasn't well
Papa knew and deep down so did she, so did she
When she died, Papa broke down and cried
All he said was, "God, why not take me?"
Every night he sat there sleepin'
In his walkin' chair
He never went upstairs
All because she wasn't there
Then one day my papa said
"Son, I'm proud the way you've grown
Make it on your own
Oh, I'll be ok alone"
Every time I kiss my children
Papa's words ring true
Your children live through you
They'll grow and leave you, too
I remember every word
My papa used to say
I live that every day
He taught me well that way
Every night, my papa would take me
And tuck me in my bed
Kiss me on my head
All my prayers were said
Every night, my papa would take me
And tuck me in my bed
Tuck me in my bed
All my prayers were said