7 Romantic Paul Anka Songs That Will Make You Nostalgic For ‘Puppy Love’
Paul Anka’s hit songs, including “I Love You, Baby” and “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” was the driving force of a new musical style in the world of mainstream pop. Not only did the singer write and record his own songs, but Anka is responsible for some of the most beloved songs by other artists, like Buddy Holly, Connie Francis and Michael Jackson, as well as “Johnny’s Theme” for The Tonight Show. But we love the talented musician’s own work, so check out seven songs from Paul Anka.
7. “You Are My Destiny” (1957)
The meaning behind the 1957 track is rather clear: Anka is singing to a love that he considers his one and only. With lyrics like “Heaven and heaven alone, can take your love from me. 'cause I'd be a fool to ever leave you dear,” everyone quickly fell in love with Anka and his words.
6. “Hold Me ‘Til the Morning Comes” (1983)
“Hold Me ‘Til’ the Morning Comes” was the lead single on Anka’s 1983 album, Walk a Fine Line. Featuring Peter Cetera, this song was a success, hitting number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100.
5. “Diana” (1958)
“Diana” became the first of Anka’s biggest hits and rose to number one on the charts, but did you know that the hit song was inspired by a real woman? “Diana” was written about Diana Ayoub, a friend of Anka’s who didn’t see him the way he saw her.
Ayoub shared about the song, “I didn't expect it to be that huge. It was all over the world, you know; I could go nowhere. I was followed by peeping toms, it was pretty wild…I absolutely didn't have a clue [about his feelings]. I encouraged him a great deal and thought we were just friends.”
4. “Times of Your Life” (1975)
In 1975, Anka released this song about someone reminiscing about the good and bad times of their life. He asks in the song, “Do you remember the times of your life?” “Times of Your Life” rose to number 7 on the Hot 100 chart.
3. “Lonely Boy” (1959)
In the number one hit, “Lonely Boy,” Anka sings about being someone who has everything he wants except for a true love. He explains that he is a “lonely boy” in need of “someone to kiss, someone to hold.”
Anka originally sang this song in the 1959 film, Girls Town, a movie which he starred in as Jimmy Parlow. He then released “Lonely Boy” as a single and it quickly rose to the top of the charts.
2. “Puppy Love” (1959)
Anka sings this 1959 song about two 17-year-olds who know that they’re in love, but everyone says they don’t understand what love really is. He explains that their connection is more than just “Puppy love,” and tries to explain their feelings.
The song, which rose to number 2, was also written based on Anka’s real feelings for actress Annette Funicello, whom he dated when he was younger. Funicello addressed the song in her autobiography, writing “As Paul wrote in his hit song about us, just because we were 17 didn't mean that, for us, our love wasn't real.”
1. “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” (1959)
Another number 2 hit, “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” is considered one of the most popular love songs ever, as well as one of Anka’s biggest hits. Anka’s inspiration for this song came from his fans.
He recalled that he would often be on stage singing love songs and his audience was full of teenagers with their heads on each other’s shoulders. The song was meant to describe that feeling of innocence and young love that was hard to put into words.
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