Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

From A Simple Teenage Crush to a Hit Song “Diana” That Launched Paul Anka’s Career

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Isn’t it amazing how Paul Anka once turned a crush on an older girl into a breakthrough hit, “Diana”?

Recorded in 1957 at Don Costa studio in New York City, the song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Best Sellers In Stores chart and climbed no higher than No. 2 on Billboard′s composite Top 100 chart. “Diana” also hit No. 1 on the R&B Best Sellers chart. 

But in the United Kingdom, the song soared well as it topped the UK’s New Musical Express chart for an impressive nine weeks. After it was first released in America, a European record distributor heard the song in a New York record store and arranged for the song to be issued in that region, and proved to be immensely popular. 

“My record has a Semitic sound to it, like a chant. It gives my records a European feel,” Anka said. He was the first teenager to have a million-seller in the United Kingdom; he was only sixteen when it was charted.

After signing with RCA Records, Anka recorded “Diana” once again, along with several other hits in 1963, off his album Paul Anka’s 21 Golden Hits.

How Anka Turned A Crush Into A Hit Song 

Paul Anka was only fifteen years old when he wrote, “Diana.” As stated in his autobiography, the song was inspired by a girl named Diana Ayoub, whom he had met at his church, and had developed a crush on. 

“She was a little out of my league,” Anka said. “She really didn’t want anything to do with me, which made it even worse.” She was also five years older than him.

Anka and Ayoub did not cross paths all that often. He would only see her at church and some other community events, babysitting his younger brother and sister every so often. That crush did not go anywhere, just merely an unrequited love, but the song did as it topped several charts and launched Anka’s career.

Anka and his family then moved from Ottawa, Canada, to New Jersey, where they set up a publishing and management operation to support Anka’s career. Anka quickly became one of his generation’s biggest hitmakers, being one of the few teenagers who wrote and recorded songs about teenage love as early as the ’50s. Several hits of the era were written by experienced and skilled songwriters who were much older.

As for the muse of Anka’s song, it is said that the crooner has never reconnected with her. In 2002, it was reported by the Ottawa Globe And Mail that Diana Ayoub had two children, got divorced, and managed a dress shop in the city.

“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,” the song goes. 

Check out Paul Anka’s powerful performance of “Diana” below.

Latest Stories

Toby Keith's CMA Tribute Fell Short—And Country Fans Are Heartbroken

Toby Keith’s CMA Tribute Fell Short—And Country Fans Are Heartbroken

The 2024 CMA Awards promised a night of celebration and nostalgia, honoring the best in country music and paying tribute to its legends. But when it came time to remember ...

Lukas Nelson Honors His Dad with a Heartfelt "Always On My Mind" Cover

Lukas Nelson Honors His Dad with a Heartfelt “Always On My Mind” Cover

In 2013, Lukas Nelson proved that talent truly runs in the family when he delivered a moving rendition of his father Willie Nelson’s classic hit, “Always On My Mind.” Performed ...

Alan Jackson and George Strait's "Murder on Music Row" Honors True Country

Alan Jackson and George Strait’s “Murder on Music Row” Honors True Country

When George Strait and Alan Jackson came together to perform “Murder on Music Row,” it wasn’t just another duet—it was a moment that sent ripples through country music history. These ...

Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban Unite for "He Stopped Loving Her Today"

Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban Unite for “He Stopped Loving Her Today”

In October 2010, the Country Music Hall of Fame became the setting for a moment of country music magic. Three legendary artists—Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban—joined forces for ...

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson's "Always on My Mind"

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind”

Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind” is one of those rare songs that seems to transcend time, weaving its way into the hearts of listeners for decades. Covering such an ...

Garth Brooks' Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

In 2021, Allie Colleen, the youngest daughter of country legend Garth Brooks, proved that musical talent runs in the family. With her single “Ain’t the Only Hell (My Momma Raised),” ...

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton's "Does He Love You" Is the Collaboration We've Been Waiting For

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton’s “Does He Love You” Is the Collaboration We’ve Been Waiting For

When Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton team up, it feels like the stars have aligned over Nashville. These two queens of country music, with careers that have shaped the genre ...

Ben Haggard's "As Haggard as They Come" Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

Ben Haggard’s “As Haggard as They Come” Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

In 2019, Ben Haggard delivered a performance at the Grand Ole Opry that felt like a love letter to his roots and a bold step toward his future. His song, ...

Mo Pitney's "Borrowed Angel" Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

Mo Pitney’s “Borrowed Angel” Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

In a time when country-pop dominates the charts, Mo Pitney stands out as a refreshing reminder of what makes traditional country music timeless. In an episode of Country Road TV ...

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful "Coal Miner's Daughter" Performance

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Performance

In a world where country music continually evolves, some voices remind us of its timeless roots. In 2019, then-18-year-old Texas singer Hannah Kay did just that with her moving rendition ...

Leave a Comment

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.