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."
Silver Bells
Paul Anka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas
Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you'll hear
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas Day
Strings of streetlights even stop lights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush home
With their treasures
Hear the snow crunch
See the kids bunch
This is Santa's big scene
And above all this bustle you'll hear
Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas Day
Silver bells, silver bells
Soon it will be Christmas Day
Soon it will be Christmas Day
The lyrics of Paul Anka's "Silver Bells" paint a picture of a bustling city during the holiday season. The city sidewalks and streets are adorned in holiday decorations and there's a palpable feeling of Christmas in the air. Children are laughing and people are passing by each other, greeting one another with smiles. The chorus of the song reminds us of the quintessential sound of Christmas bells ringing, with the lyrics "Silver bells, silver bells, it's Christmas time in the city, ring-a-ling, hear them ring, soon it will be Christmas Day."
The second verse describes the city's streetlights, stop lights, and the general hustle and bustle of shoppers rushing home with their treasures. We can almost hear the snow crunching underfoot and see the children gathering together in awe of Santa's "big scene." Despite all the noise and excitement of the city, the chorus reminds us that the ultimate reminder of the holiday season is the ringing of silver bells.
Overall, the lyrics of "Silver Bells" evoke feelings of warmth, joy, and anticipation for the coming Christmas holiday. The song is a classic reminder of the magic of the season and how even amidst the chaos of a busy city, the bells can still bring us back to center.
Line by Line Meaning
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
The sidewalks of the city are crowded and lively with people doing their holiday shopping.
Dressed in holiday style
The city has been decorated in Christmas decorations to make it feel festive and merry.
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas
There is a seasonal atmosphere in the city, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation for the upcoming holiday.
Children laughing, people passing
As people walk down the busy streets, they are greeted by the sound of children excited for Christmas and people rushing around with their shopping bags.
Meeting smile after smile
The frenzied and busy ambiance of the city is infused with happiness and cheer as people exchange smiles with each other to spread the holiday spirit.
And on every street corner you'll hear
No matter which street you're on, you can hear the sound of Christmas coming from every corner.
Silver bells, silver bells
The sound of silver bells has become ubiquitous in the city during the holiday season.
It's Christmas time in the city
The entire city has been transformed to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
The sound of the bells ringing is a joyous and festive reminder that the holiday season is here.
Soon it will be Christmas Day
The anticipation for Christmas is building as it gets closer and closer.
Strings of streetlights even stop lights
Every kind of light on the street is decorated for the season in bright, festive colors.
Blink a bright red and green
The streets are adorned with bright and eye-catching Christmas lights, mainly in red and green hues.
As the shoppers rush home
The shoppers are in a hurry to buy presents and return home to celebrate the holiday with their loved ones.
With their treasures
The shoppers have their shopping bags filled with gifts and presents for their family and friends.
Hear the snow crunch
The sound of fresh fluffy snow being trampled underfoot is audible in the cold crisp air of the winter night.
See the kids bunch
You can see groups of kids playing in the snow and enjoying their Christmas break from school.
This is Santa's big scene
This scene of children playing in the snow and the busy city streets is the epitome of the Christmas experience that Santa Claus himself would enjoy.
And above all this bustle you'll hear
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, the sound of the silver bells still rings clearly, reminding everyone that it's the holiday season.
Soon it will be Christmas Day
As the holiday draws nearer, the excitement and anticipation for Christmas only grows more intense.
Silver bells, silver bells
The sound of the silver bells will continue to resonate throughout the city until Christmas Day finally arrives.
Soon it will be Christmas Day
Everyone is eagerly counting down the days until the most thrilling and delightful day of the year finally arrives - Christmas Day.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ray Evans, Jay Livingston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind