It was so popular, in fact, that nine years later the first cover of “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” was released by The Letterman, in 1968. It wasn’t quite as successful, peaking just outside the top forty songs on the same charts that Anka had topped almost a decade earlier.

The song would not be covered again on an album until 2001, when Good Charlotte provided their version for the movie Not Another Teen Movie. Two years later Michael Buble, who is somewhat closer to Anka musically than Good Charlotte, released his own version on his debut album that was well received critically.

And, naturally, “Lonely Boy” is a song by Paul Anka, recorded in 1959. It was first used in the movie Girls Town and, when released as a single, managed to hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100. It was the first of Anka’s songs to manage such a feat on the Hot 100 chart.

“Lonely Boy” has been covered twice, first in 1971 by Billy Craddock and again by Donny Osmond in 1972.

“(You’re) Having My Baby” was written by Anka for his wife and his four daughters, and was done to commemorate his four-time feeling of celebration in learning that he was a father-to-be. The song was such a success that not only did it hit the number one spot on the Billboard Top 100 (his first such success in 15 years; the last song had been “Lonely Boy” in 1959) but it saw Anka being awarded the “Keep Her in Her Place” award by the National Organization for Women.

Have a listen to the song right here.

Rock Swings focuses heavily on covers of various rock and pop songs from the 1980’s and 90’s, including “It’s My Life” (Bon Jovi), “Eye of the Tiger” (Survivor; also the theme song for the third Rocky movie), “It’s A Sin (Pet Shop Boys) and “Tears in Heaven” (Eric Clapton), among others. Anka reportedly wanted to include “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson, as well, but couldn’t get through a full vocal performance without laughing. Anka takes each covered song and translates it into a jazz swing version of its former self.

The album has done decently well, debuting in 120th on the Billboard 200 and hitting number 9 on the UK Album Chart.

Rock Swings includes the following songs:

• It’s My Life
• True
• Eye of the Tiger
• Everybody Hurts
• Wonderwall
• Black Hole Sun
• It’s a Sin
• Jump
• Smells Like Teen Spirit
• Hello
• Eyes Without a Face
• The Lovecats
• The Way You Make Me Feel
• Tears in Heaven

Also inducted with Anka was Gordon Lightfoot and Claude Dubois. Five of Anka’s songs were also inducted, which were ”She’s a Lady,” ”Diana,” ”Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” ”It Doesn’t Matter Anymore,” and ”My Way.”

Paul Anka recorded the jingle for Kodak in 1975, and many people remember the commercials fondly, mostly for Anka’s signature vocals. Paul Anka decided to build on the success of the endorsement by recording “The Times of Your Life” as a full single.

The song was, unsurprisingly, a hit for Paul Anka in 1976. Paul Anka still includes his work with Kodak in his live performances. He sometimes quips “Is that a Kodak camera?” to fans trying to snap a picture of the noted songsmith.

The uptempo Bossa Nova swing of “Eso Beso” represented something of a departure for Paul Anka, who had always found his strength in crooning ballads. However, versatility has always been a trademark for Anka, who has written several hit songs during his career, for himself as well as other performers.

Anka also dallied in writing music for television shows and Kodak Commercials. “Eso Beso” was neglected on 1962’s Paul Anka’s 21 Golden Hits, but has since appeared on The Very Best of Paul Anka. “Eso Beso” remains a fairly popular dance tune for its Samba influences. It has since been covered by several latino artists, including Helmut Lotti and Emma Bunton.

In 1956, shortly before Paul would sign with Paramount Records, he had developed an affection for Diana, which inspired him to write the song. “It was the only time I saw Paul blush,” Diana said of Paul’s response to her request to play the song for her. However, she would certainly hear that music several times over the next few years. “Diana” was an absolute smash hit.

The almost unprecendented success of Paul Anka’s tribute to her brought swaths of reporters and photographers to their hometown of Ottawa. “I had reporters waiting for me when I graduated from high school,” Diana recalled, “People were showing up at my house all the time. One time my father found a stepladder rising to my bedroom.” Diana Ayoub now runs Devine Liquidation, a woman’s clothing retailer.

Paul Anka has, of course, gone on to enjoy a massively successful career, writing over 900 songs. “Diana” is available on Paul Anka’s 21 Golden Hits, from RCA records.

Below is Paul Anka’s Diane with lyrics:

Diane’s Lyrics

I’m so young and you’re so old
This, my darling I’ve been told
I don’t care just what they say
‘Cause forever I will pray
You and I will be as free
As the birds up in the trees
Oh, please, stay by me, Diana

Thrills I get when you hold me close
Oh, my darling, you’re the most
I love you but do you love me
Oh Diana, can’t you see
I love you with all my heart
And I hope we will never part
Oh, please, stay with me, Diana

Oh my darlin’, oh my lover
Tell me that there is no other
I love you with my heart
Oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
Only you can take my heart
Only you can tear it apart
When you hold me in your loving arms
I can feel you giving all your charms
Hold me darling, ho-ho-hold me tight
Squeeze me baby with a-all your might
Oh, please, stay by me Diana
Oh, please, Diana
Oh, please, Diana
Oh, please, Diana

Paul Anka even wrote the music for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1962. About one year later, Paul Anka released Paul Anka’s 21 Golden Hits, a collection of cold-certified songs. These venerable hits included songs like “Puppy Love”, “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” and “Crazy Love.” However, they were not the original recordings with which fans of Paul Anka had become familiar. In 1962, stereo music was becoming a wildly popular format, and several record companies were struggling to get their top performers’ work out in stereo recordings. So it was with this album. The songs themselves were re-recorded by Paul Anka in 1962, though many fans feel that the difference between these and the originals is negligible. Paul Anka’s 21 Golden Hits is still available from RCA records.

Paul Anka’s 21 Golden Hits Playlist
  1. Diana
  2. Put Your Head on My Shoulder
  3. Lonely Boy
  4. Time to Cry
  5. Puppy Love
  6. I Love You in the Same Old Way
  7. You Are My Destiny
  8. Crazy Love
  9. Don’t Ever Leave Me
  10. Summer’s Gone
  11. Adam and Eve
  12. Don’t Gamble With Love
  13. I’m Still Waiting Here For You
  14. I Love You, Baby
  15. It Doesn’t Matter Any More
  16. Tonight My Love, Tonight
  17. My Home Town
  18. Cinderella
  19. Love Land
  20. Dance on Little Girl
  21. The Longest Day