The legendary singer and songwriter Paul Anka has many musical gems. As a result, having a favorite pick from the entire discography can be difficult. Nonetheless, we have done the hard work for you and curated the ultimate top five tracks that everyone must listen to.
Paul Anka is an icon in his field due to his 65 years-long presence in the industry and countless hit albums. Born of Lebanese descent in Ontario, Canada, Anka shifted to New York all by himself when he was just 15 years old. There, he shot to fame with the immediate success of Diana. The song hit No.1 on both Canadian and U.S. Charts and made Paul Anka one of the most famous teen idols in the world.
5. Times of Your Life
As the title track of his 1975 album of the same name, Paul Anka hit it big with this one. It was initially made as an advert jingle for Kodak. But soon after, Anka saw the potential in the tune and released it as a good song. The track immediately became a hit in the U.S., even reaching Billboard’s Top 10 in February 1976.
The song is a celebration of life quickly passing by. It urges the listener to hold on to and cherish memories. It also makes you appreciate better the beauty of the present moment. As a feel-good song, this should be on your playlist.
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4. Do I Love You
Do I Love You may have been released in 1971, but the love song still has the power to resonate strongly with any lovesick soul? As one of the most wholesome love songs, the track is a prayer-like confession of a heartfelt and unconditional love that is rare.
The song is one of Anka’s most underrated tracks, and this had been the case even at the time of its release. It only gained popularity after Donna Fargo covered it in 1977 for her album Shame on Me. But the song is as catchy and memorable as any of Anka’s other hits.
3. Lonely Boy
One of Paul’s earlier songs, Lonely Boy, was released in 1959. However, its conception occurred a year earlier when the star recorded the song with Don Costa’s orchestra in 1958. Like most of Anka’s other hits, the song was an immediate success. But it ruled the Billboard Hot 100 for four consecutive weeks straight this time.
The R&B melody of the track, infused with soul music, makes for a sad but intensely beautiful song. This track is bound to be on repeat for people who feel lost. It’s also incredibly comforting in a mournful way and will ironically make listeners feel less lonely.
2. Diana
Time for the queen herself, if you’ll excuse the pun. Diana is an iconic entry in many ways. Not only is it counted among Paul Anka’s biggest hits on any list, but it was also his first song upon his arrival in the U.S. The track’s success may or may not have had a direct impact on the six-decade-long career of the artist. If it had not been for Diana being so popular among the American audiences, we might not have witnessed the rest of Paul Anka’s shining career.
1. Put Your Head On My Shoulder
If there’s any song of Anka that has stood the test of time, it’s this. With the song going viral in recent TikTok trends and its various remixes, Put Your Head on My Shoulder has retained first place on this list with its solid evergreen status. The song has brought Paul Anka back to the mainstream and into our playlists as a catchy and versatile melody.
Well, that’s it for the biggest five hits of Paul Anka. For more hidden music gems and recommendations, check out The Artistree.