"Diana"
Single by Paul Anka
from the album Paul Anka
B-side"Don't Gamble With Love"
ReleasedJuly 2, 1957 (July 2, 1957)
RecordedMay 20, 1957 (Don Costa, New York City, U.S.)[1]
StudioRCA Victor, New York City
GenrePop, rock and roll
Length2:28
LabelABC-Paramount 9831
Songwriter(s)Paul Anka
Paul Anka singles chronology
"I Confess"
(1956) 		"Diana"
(1957) 		"I Love You, Baby"
(1957)

"Diana" is a song written and first performed by Paul Anka,[2] who recorded it in May 1957 at Don Costa’s studio in New York City. Anka stated in his autobiography that the song was inspired by a girl named Diana Ayoub (13 March 1939 – 1 December 2022),[3] whom he had met at his church and community events, and had developed a crush on.[4][5] Session musicians on the record included George Barnes playing lead guitar, Bucky Pizzarelli playing the "Calypso" riff on guitar, Irving Wexler on piano, Jerry Bruno on bass, and Panama Francis on drums. The song was recorded in May 1957 at RCA Victor Studios in New York.[6] Backup singers included Artie Ripp.[7]

Paul Anka's original 1957 recording reached number 1 (for two weeks) on the Billboard "R&B Best Sellers In Stores" chart,[8] (although it climbed no higher than number 2 on Billboard′s composite "Top 100" chart) and has reportedly sold over nine million copies.[9] "Diana" also hit number one on the R&B Best Sellers chart.[10] It also reached number 1 on the UK's New Musical Express chart, staying there for nine weeks,[11] and sold 1.25 million copies in the UK.[12][13]

After signing with RCA Records, Anka re-recorded "Diana", along with many other hits in 1963, for the album Paul Anka's 21 Golden Hits.[14]

Chart performance and sales

Duet with Ricky Martin

"Diana"
Single by Paul Anka and Ricky Martin
from the album Amigos
ReleasedJanuary 30, 1996 (1996-01-30)
GenreLatin pop
Length3:41
Songwriter(s)Paul Anka
Paul Anka singles chronology
"Second Chance"
(1984) 		"Diana"
(1996)
Ricky Martin singles chronology
"Bombón de Azúcar"
(1996) 		"Diana"
(1996) 		"Volveras"
(1997)

Paul Anka and Ricky Martin recorded a Spanish-language version of "Diana" and Anka included it on his album Amigos, and released it as a single in 1996.[32]

Formats and track listings

CD Single

  1. "Diana" – 3:41[33]

Charts

Chart (1996) Peak
position
US Hot Latin Songs (Billboard)[34] 24
US Latin Pop Airplay (Billboard)[35] 12

Other covers and adaptations

Frankie Lymon released a version of the song on his 1958 album Rock 'N Roll.[36]

French singer Marcel Mouloudji recorded a French version, with lyrics adapted by Jacques Plante on April 22, 1958, with The Michel Villard Ensemble.

Brazilian singer Carlos Gonzaga recorded a Portuguese version, released in 1958.[37]

The French rock singer Johnny Hallyday sings the original version in his album issued in 1962 Johnny Hallyday Sings America's Rockin' Hits.

Paul Anka sang an Italian version of the song, also called "Diana"; the Italian lyrics were written by Mario Panzeri. This version was released on Anka's 1963 album Italiano.[38]

In 1965, Bobby Rydell released the song as a single and on the album Somebody Loves You.[39] Rydell's version reached No. 12 on Canada's RPM Top 40 & 5,[40] while reaching No. 98 on the US Billboard Hot 100,[41] No. 23 on Billboard's Middle Road Singles chart,[42][43] and No. 100 on the Record World 100 Top Pops.[44]

In 1969 Jamaican singer Alton Ellis released a reggae version in the UK on the Gas Records label.

In 1975, Australian band Ol' 55 released a version as their debut single. The song peaked at number 95 on the Kent Music Report.

A duet was in 2006 with Anka and the famous Italian singer and entertainer Adriano Celentano, with new Italian words by Giulio Rapetti (also known as Mogol) and by the same Celentano; the Italian title was "Oh Diana".[45]

The Bulgarian band Wickeda also covered the song in a style that includes Balkanic folk elements; and the horror punk band Misfits recorded a version on their album Project 1950. English punk rock band Miss Vincent also released a cover of the song in 2023.

In 1959, the song was covered twice in Hindi film music. One is in the film Dil Deke Dekho with lyrics Kaun yeh aaya mehfil me, music by Usha Khanna. The other is in the film Baap bete with lyrics Bol bol bol my little dove, music by Madan Mohan. Both songs are sung by Mohammad Rafi. The version in Dil deke dekho has a small portion at the end where Asha Bhonsle joins in.

See also

References

  1. ^ "ABC-Paramount 9831". 78discography.com. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  2. ^ Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 12 – Big Rock Candy Mountain: Rock 'n' roll in the late fifties. [Part 2]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
  3. ^ "Diana Ayoub, Ottawa woman who inspired 1957 Anka hit, dead at 83". CBC News. December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  4. ^ Anka, Paul; Dalton, David (2013). My Way: An Autobiography. New York: St. Martin's Press. p. 34. ISBN 9780312381042.
  5. ^ "Capital Facts: Busting the myth of Paul Anka's doomed love". ottawacitizen. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  6. ^ Anka, Paul; Dalton, David (2013). My Way: An Autobiography. New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 9780312381042.
  7. ^ "The Four Temptations (ABC Records)". Whitedoowopcollector.blogspot.com. January 26, 2009. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  8. ^ a b "Best Sellers in Stores". Billboard. September 9, 1957. p. 46. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  9. ^ Paul Anka, History of Rock and Roll. (URL accessed May 14, 2006)
  10. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 32.
  11. ^ a b Paul Anka – Full Official Chart History, Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  12. ^ a b Ami Sedghi (November 4, 2012). "UK's million-selling singles: the full list". The Guardian. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
  13. ^ Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 33. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
  14. ^ "Album Reviews", Billboard, June 22, 1963. p. 10. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  15. ^ "CHUM Chart Archives – Anka Paul". CHUM. Archived from the original on July 16, 2006. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  16. ^ Paul Anka – Diana, Ultratop. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  17. ^ Paul Anka – Diana, Ultratop. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  18. ^ Paul Anka – Diana, Dutch Charts. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  19. ^ "Top 100", Billboard, September 9, 1957. p. 50. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  20. ^ "Top 100", Billboard, September 30, 1957. p. 46. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  21. ^ "R&B Best Sellers in Stores", Billboard, September 30, 1957. p. 60. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  22. ^ "Top 100", Billboard, October 14, 1957. p. 55. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  23. ^ "The Cash Box Top 60 Best Selling Tunes on Records", Cash Box, September 21, 1957. p. 8. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  24. ^ "The Nation's Top Ten Juke Box Tunes", Cash Box, October 12, 1957. p. 4. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  25. ^ "The Records Disc Jockeys Played Most", Cash Box, September 14, 1957. p. 16. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  26. ^ "The Nation's R&B Top 20", Cash Box, October 5, 1957. p. 57. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  27. ^ a b "1957's Best Selling Records", Billboard, December 23, 1957. p. 20. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  28. ^ a b "1957's Most Played Records by Jockeys", Billboard, December 23, 1957. p. 21. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  29. ^ "1957 Top Tunes", Billboard, December 23, 1957. p. 22. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  30. ^ a b "The Best Selling Records of 1957", Cash Box, December 28, 1957. pp. 8-9. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  31. ^ "Cash Box - Italy" (PDF). Cash Box. November 26, 1960. p. 56. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  32. ^ "Amigos – Paul Anka". AllMusic. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  33. ^ "Diana – Paul Anka & Ricky Martin". Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  34. ^ "Ricky Martin Chart History (Hot Latin Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  35. ^ "Ricky Martin Chart History (Latin Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  36. ^ "Rock 'N Roll – Frankie Lymon". AllMusic. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  37. ^ Medeiros, Jotabê (August 25, 2023). "Morre Carlos Gonzaga, intérprete de 'Diana', pioneiro herói negro do rock'n'roll - Farofafá Música". Farofafá (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  38. ^ Paul Anka – Diana (Italiano), norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  39. ^ "Album Reviews", Billboard, March 20, 1965. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  40. ^ "Top 40 & 5", RPM Weekly, Volume 3, No. 2, March 8, 1965. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  41. ^ Hot 100 – Bobby Rydell Diana Chart History, Billboard.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  42. ^ Adult Contemporary – Bobby Rydell Diana Chart History, Billboard.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  43. ^ "Middle Road Singles", Billboard, February 13, 1965. p. 50. Accessed May 22, 2016.
  44. ^ "100 Top Pops", Record World, February 20, 1965. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  45. ^ Adriano Celentano e Paul Anka – Oh Diana, norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.

External links

Paul Anka
Bobby Rydell
Ol' 55
Best-selling singles by year in the United Kingdom
Authority control databases
Categories