"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, whom he had met at his church and community events, and had developed a crush on.[3][4] Session musicians on the record included Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar, Irving Wexler on piano, Jerry Bruno on bass, and Panama Francis on drums. The song was recorded in May 1957 at RCA Studios in New York.[5] Backup singers included Artie Ripp.[6]
"Diana" | ||||
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Single by Paul Anka | ||||
from the album Paul Anka | ||||
B-side | "Don't Gamble With Love" | |||
Released | July 2, 1957 (July 2, 1957) | |||
Recorded | May 20, 1957 (Don Costa, New York City, U.S.)[1] | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 2:28 | |||
Label | ABC-Paramount 9831 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Paul Anka | |||
Paul Anka singles chronology | ||||
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Paul Anka's original 1957 recording reached number 1 (for two weeks) on the Billboard "R&B Best Sellers In Stores" chart,[7] (although it climbed no higher than number 2 on Billboard′s composite "Top 100" chart) and has reportedly sold over nine million copies.[8] "Diana" also hit number one on the R&B Best Sellers chart.[9] It also reached number 1 on the UK's New Musical Express chart, staying there for nine weeks,[10] and sold 1.25 million copies in the UK.[11][12]
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.[13]
Chart (1957) | Peak position |
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Australia | 1 |
Canada (CHUM Hit Parade)[14] | 1 |
Belgium (Flanders)[15] | 2 |
Belgium (Wallonia)[16] | 1 |
Netherlands[17] | 1 |
UK New Musical Express[10] | 1 |
US Billboard Top 100[18] | 2 |
US Billboard Best Sellers in Stores[7] | 1 |
US Billboard Most Played By Jockeys[19] | 2 |
US Billboard R&B Best Sellers in Stores[20] | 1 |
US Billboard Most Played R&B by Jockeys[21] | 2 |
US Cash Box Top 60[22] | 2 |
US Cash Box Top Ten Juke Box Tunes[23] | 1 |
US Cash Box Records Disc Jockeys Played Most[24] | 2 |
US Cash Box R&B Top 20[25] | 2 |
Chart (1957) | Rank |
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US Billboard Best Selling Records: Popular[26] | 24 |
US Billboard Best Selling Records: Rhythm & Blues[26] | 8 |
US Billboard Most Played Records by Jockeys: Popular[27] | 28 |
US Billboard Most Played Records by Jockeys: Rhythm & Blues[27] | 23 |
US Billboard 1957 Top Tunes[28] | 18 |
US Cash Box Top Pop Singles[29] | 13 |
US Cash Box Top Rhythm & Blues Singles[29] | 30 |
"Diana" | ||||
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Single by Paul Anka and Ricky Martin | ||||
from the album Amigos | ||||
Released | January 30, 1996 (1996-01-30) | |||
Genre | Latin pop | |||
Length | 3:41 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Paul Anka | |||
Paul Anka singles chronology | ||||
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Ricky Martin singles chronology | ||||
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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.[30]
CD Single
Chart (1996) | Peak position |
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US Hot Latin Songs (Billboard)[32] | 24 |
US Latin Pop Airplay (Billboard)[33] | 12 |
Frankie Lymon released a version of the song on his 1958 album Rock 'N Roll.[34]
French singer Marcel Mouloudji recorded a French version, with lyrics adapted by Jacques Plante on April 22, 1958, with The Michel Villard Ensemble.
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.[35]
In 1965, Bobby Rydell released the song as a single and on the album Somebody Loves You.[36] Rydell's version reached No. 12 on Canada's RPM Top 40 & 5,[37] while reaching No. 98 on the US Billboard Hot 100,[38] No. 23 on Billboard's Middle Road Singles chart,[39][40] and No. 100 on the Record World 100 Top Pops.[41]
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".[42]
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.
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.
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