About the song
At 84, Paul Anka Finally Opens Up About Frank Sinatra
LAS VEGAS, NV – For decades, Paul Anka has been celebrated as one of the great songwriters and performers of his generation, penning classics like “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” and “Diana.” But it was his behind-the-scenes role with Frank Sinatra, the Chairman of the Board, that has long fascinated fans. Now, at 84, Anka is finally pulling back the curtain—sharing raw, emotional truths about his friendship and professional bond with Sinatra.
The connection between Anka and Sinatra is perhaps most famously tied to the song “My Way.” In 1969, Anka rewrote the French track “Comme d’habitude” into a bold anthem that perfectly captured Sinatra’s defiance and individuality. It became one of Sinatra’s defining songs, an immortal declaration of independence. But according to Anka, the story was far more personal than fans ever knew. “I didn’t just write that song for Frank,” he confessed. “I wrote it because it was him. It was who he was when the lights went out and the crowd went home.”
Anka revealed that Sinatra, despite his image of confidence and control, carried moments of vulnerability. “Frank was larger than life, but he was also human. He had doubts, he had fears, and he wrestled with loneliness,” Anka said. “People saw the legend. I saw the man.”
Their friendship stretched far beyond the music. Anka recalled late-night conversations in Las Vegas lounges and private dinners where Sinatra would speak candidly about the pressures of fame. “Frank once told me, ‘It’s lonely at the top, kid.’ And I knew exactly what he meant. He wasn’t complaining—he was just being honest.”
Anka also admitted that working alongside Sinatra came with challenges. The temperamental crooner could be demanding, quick to anger, and impossible to please. Yet, Anka insists those fiery moments were never about ego—they were about passion. “He cared deeply about the music. If something wasn’t right, he let you know. That’s what made him great.”
Opening up at 84, Anka says that writing “My Way” for Sinatra remains one of the proudest achievements of his career, but the real treasure was their bond. “I didn’t just give Frank a song—he gave me perspective on life, on artistry, and on what it means to stay true to yourself.”
Fans have responded with awe and emotion to Anka’s revelations. Social media filled with tributes, many noting that Anka’s honesty only deepens the legend of Sinatra. “It’s incredible to hear the truth after all these years,” one fan wrote. “Frank was a giant, but Paul reminds us he was also human.”
As Paul Anka reflects on his long career, he admits that his connection with Sinatra defined much of his life. “We were two men from different worlds, but somehow we understood each other,” he said. “And when I hear ‘My Way’ today, I still hear him—Frank, the man, not just the myth.”
For music fans, Anka’s words are a gift: a reminder that behind the legend of Sinatra was a friend, a confidant, and a voice that will never fade.
