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Paul Anka turns 84 today

Singer / songwriter Paul Anka turns 84 today. His songs include "Diana", “You Are My Destiny", “Lonely Boy", "Put Your Head on My Shoulder", and "(You're) Having My Baby".

Anka also wrote the theme for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson; one of Tom Jones' biggest hits, "She's a Lady"; and the English lyrics to Claude François and Jacques Revaux's music for Frank Sinatra's signature song "My Way", which has been recorded by many, including Elvis Presley.

In 1974, he teamed up with Odia Coates to record the No. 1 hit, "(You're) Having My Baby", exposing Anka to a new generation of fans and proving his staying power among his original fan base that was now maturing.

Anka and Coates recorded three more duets that made it into the Top 20: "One Man Woman/One Woman Man" (No. 7), "I Don't Like to Sleep Alone" (No. 8), and the No. 15 duet "(I Believe) There's Nothing Stronger Than Our Love". In 1975, he recorded a jingle for Kodak written by Bill Lane (lyrics) and Roger Nichols (melody) called "Times of Your Life". It became so popular Anka recorded it as a full song, which peaked at No. 7 in the US pop chart in 1976. The follow-up was another hit that Anka wrote for Sinatra, "Anytime (I'll Be There)", peaking at No. 33. Anka's last Top 40 hit in the US was in the summer of 1983: "Hold Me 'Til the Mornin' Comes", which included backing vocals from then-Chicago frontman Peter Cetera; it hit No. 2 on the Hot Adult Contemporary chart.

On October 12, 2009, Anka stated that Michael Jackson's new release titled "This Is It" was a collaborative effort between the two in 1980. According to Anka, after recording the song, Jackson decided not to use it and the tune was then recorded and released by Sa-Fire. After Anka threatened to sue for credit and a share of royalties, the administrators of Jackson's estate granted Anka 50% of the copyright. An additional song that Jackson co-wrote with Anka from this 1980 session, "Love Never Felt So Good", was discovered shortly thereafter.

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by Anonymousreply 7July 30, 2025 11:44 PM

You forgot to mention that he was a guest star in one of the better Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episodes, OP.

by Anonymousreply 1July 30, 2025 9:49 PM

I don't watch the show, so I wouldn't know.

I was around 10 when his single 'Havin' My Baby' was released. The controversy was everywhere - women were upset that he called it 'my baby' and not 'our baby', and pro-choice men and women claimed it was an anti-abortion song (Anka denied it). I remember there was a lot of talk on the radio and television (when he guested on talk shows performing the song) as he couldn't escape it. It didn't hurt him - he hit the top of the charts.

by Anonymousreply 2July 30, 2025 10:04 PM

Jason Bateman’s father-in-law.

by Anonymousreply 3July 30, 2025 10:10 PM

R2: It also was a terrible song. The phrasing seemed awkward.

by Anonymousreply 4July 30, 2025 10:41 PM

Weren't he and Annette supposed to be a thing?

by Anonymousreply 5July 30, 2025 11:28 PM

Does anyone here have any idea how much he’s made solely from The Tonight Show theme over the years? Did he receive a buyout, or gift it to Carson/NBC (which seems unlikely)?

by Anonymousreply 6July 30, 2025 11:39 PM

I thought he was older or dead. But Happy Birthday!

by Anonymousreply 7July 30, 2025 11:44 PM
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