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."
Teen Commandments
Paul Anka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
1, Stop and think before you drink.
2, Don't let your parents down, they brought you up.
3. Be humble enough to obey.
You will be giving orders yourself someday.
4, At the first moment,
turn away from unclean thinking at the first moment.
5, Don't show off driving.
If you want to race, go to Indianapolis.
6, Choose a date who would make a good mate.
7, Go to church faithfully.
The Creator gives you the week, give Him back an hour.
8, Choose your companions carefully. You are what they are.
9, Avoid following the crowd.
Be an engine, not a caboose.
10, Or even better keep the original Ten Commandments.
"The Teen Commandments" is a song sung by Paul Anka, released in 1959. This song contains wise advice for teenagers in the form of ten commandments. The first commandment tells the teenagers to be careful about drinking alcohol, and to think before they do so. The second commandment emphasizes on the importance of not disappointing one's parents and respecting their upbringing. The third commandment tells the teenagers to be humble and obey the authority figures in their life, understanding that one day they will have to give orders themselves. The fourth commandment tells the teenagers to turn away from unclean thoughts at the very first moment.
The fifth commandment warns teenagers not to show off their driving skills and not to be influenced by popular culture or peer pressure. The sixth commandment tells them to be mindful when choosing a potential date and to choose someone who will be a good partner in the future. The seventh commandment advises them to go to church regularly and to remember to give back to the creator who has given them the entire week. The eighth commandment asks teenagers to be mindful of those they spend the majority of their time with - this is because you become a product of those with whom you associate. The ninth commandment points out how vital it is not to follow the crowd mindlessly, but rather to be a leader rather than a follower. The tenth commandment reminds teenagers to stay true to the original Ten Commandments and to always remember to make the right choices.
The song is not just a collection of orders suited towards teenagers; it also provides them with the necessary guidance, support, and encouragement they need to help them navigate through adolescence. It is a song about making good choices that will last a lifetime.
Line by Line Meaning
1, Stop and think before you drink.
Before consuming any alcoholic beverage, take a moment to reflect on the potential consequences of your actions.
2, Don't let your parents down, they brought you up.
Your parents have invested significant time and effort in raising you, so don't disappoint them with your choices and behavior.
3. Be humble enough to obey. You will be giving orders yourself someday.
Learning to follow instructions and heed the advice of others will serve you well in life, especially as you advance in your career and may be responsible for leading others.
4, At the first moment, turn away from unclean thinking at the first moment.
Avoid engaging in impure or inappropriate thought patterns, and do your best to redirect your attention to more positive and constructive thinking.
5, Don't show off driving. If you want to race, go to Indianapolis.
Reckless driving is not only dangerous, but it also gives off an air of arrogance and a disregard for the safety of yourself and others. If you're looking for a thrill, consider pursuing a safer activity, like attending a professional auto race.
6, Choose a date who would make a good mate.
When selecting a romantic partner, consider their long-term potential and whether or not they align with your values and goals for the future.
7, Go to church faithfully. The Creator gives you the week, give Him back an hour.
Devote time each week to spiritual reflection and growth, and recognize the value of giving back to a higher power and the community at large.
8, Choose your companions carefully. You are what they are.
Surround yourself with positive and supportive friends who encourage you to be your best self, as your social circle can significantly influence your attitudes and beliefs.
9, Avoid following the crowd. Be an engine, not a caboose.
Don't simply go along with the group or follow trends without considering whether they align with your own values and beliefs. Be willing to take the initiative and forge your own path in life.
10, Or even better keep the original Ten Commandments.
While these 'Teen Commandments' are intended as a guide for teenagers, it's also important to recognize and abide by more universal values and principles laid out in the original Ten Commandments.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NANCY BECKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind