"Diana" is a song written and first performed by Paul Anka, 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), whom he had met at his church and community events, and had developed a crush on.

Recording Session musicians on the record included George Barnes playing lead guitar, Bucky Pizzarelli playing the "Calypso" riff on guitar, Moe Wechsler 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. Backup singers included Artie Ripp.

Release Paul Anka's original 1957 recording reached number 1 (for two weeks) on the Billboard "R&B Best Sellers In Stores" chart, (although it climbed no higher than number 2 on Billboard′s composite "Top 100" chart) and has reportedly sold over nine million copies.Paul Anka, History of Rock and Roll. (URL accessed May 14, 2006) "Diana" also hit number one on the R&B Best Sellers chart. It also reached number 1 on the UK's New Musical Express chart, staying there for nine weeks,Paul Anka – Full Official Chart History, Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 31, 2018. and sold 1.25 million copies in the UK.

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."Album Reviews", Billboard, June 22, 1963. p. 10. Retrieved April 1, 2018.

Chart performance and sales

Weekly charts Chart (1957–1959)PeakpositionAustralia1Canada (CHUM Hit Parade)1Belgium (Flanders)Paul Anka – Diana, Ultratop. Retrieved March 31, 2018.2Belgium (Wallonia)Paul Anka – Diana, Ultratop. Retrieved March 31, 2018.1NetherlandsPaul Anka – Diana, Dutch Charts. Retrieved March 31, 2018.1Spain (Promusicae) 1UK New Musical Express1US Billboard Top 100"Top 100", Billboard, September 9, 1957. p. 50. Retrieved March 31, 2018.2US Billboard Best Sellers in Stores1US Billboard Most Played By Jockeys"Top 100", Billboard, September 30, 1957. p. 46. Retrieved March 31, 2018.2US Billboard R&B Best Sellers in Stores"R&B Best Sellers in Stores", Billboard, September 30, 1957. p. 60. Retrieved March 31, 2018.1US Billboard Most Played R&B by Jockeys"Top 100", Billboard, October 14, 1957. p. 55. Retrieved March 31, 2018.2US Cash Box Top 60"The Cash Box Top 60 Best Selling Tunes on Records", Cash Box, September 21, 1957. p. 8. Retrieved March 31, 2018.2US Cash Box Top Ten Juke Box Tunes"The Nation's Top Ten Juke Box Tunes", Cash Box, October 12, 1957. p. 4. Retrieved March 31, 2018.1US Cash Box Records Disc Jockeys Played Most"The Records Disc Jockeys Played Most", Cash Box, September 14, 1957. p. 16. Retrieved March 31, 2018.2US Cash Box R&B Top 20"The Nation's R&B Top 20", Cash Box, October 5, 1957. p. 57. Retrieved March 31, 2018.2

Year-end charts Chart (1957)RankUS Billboard Best Selling Records: Popular"1957's Best Selling Records", Billboard, December 23, 1957. p. 20. Retrieved April 1, 2018.24US Billboard Best Selling Records: Rhythm & Blues8US Billboard Most Played Records by Jockeys: Popular"1957's Most Played Records by Jockeys", Billboard, December 23, 1957. p. 21. Retrieved April 1, 2018.28US Billboard Most Played Records by Jockeys: Rhythm & Blues23US Billboard 1957 Top Tunes"1957 Top Tunes", Billboard, December 23, 1957. p. 22. Retrieved April 1, 2018.18US Cash Box Top Pop Singles"The Best Selling Records of 1957", Cash Box, December 28, 1957. pp. 8-9. Retrieved April 1, 2018.13US Cash Box Top Rhythm & Blues Singles30

Sales

Duet with Ricky Martin

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.

Formats and track listings CD Single "Diana" – 3:41

Charts

Chart (1996)Peakposition

Other covers and adaptations Frankie Lymon released a version of the song on his 1958 album Rock 'N Roll.

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

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.Paul Anka – Diana (Italiano), norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.

In 1965, Bobby Rydell released the song as a single and on the album Somebody Loves You."Album Reviews", Billboard, March 20, 1965. Retrieved April 1, 2018. Rydell's version reached No. 12 on Canada's RPM Top 40 & 5,"Top 40 & 5", RPM Weekly, Volume 3, No. 2, March 8, 1965. Retrieved April 1, 2018. while reaching No. 98 on the US Billboard Hot 100,Hot 100 – Bobby Rydell Diana Chart History, Billboard.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018. No. 23 on Billboards Middle Road Singles chart,Adult Contemporary – Bobby Rydell Diana Chart History, Billboard.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018."Middle Road Singles", Billboard, February 13, 1965. p. 50. Accessed May 22, 2016. and No. 100 on the Record World 100 Top Pops."100 Top Pops", Record World, February 20, 1965. Retrieved March 31, 2018.

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".Adriano Celentano e Paul Anka – Oh Diana, norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.

The punk band Misfits covered the song on their album Project 1950 in 2003.

See also List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1950s List of Top 25 singles for 1957 in Australia Billboard year-end top 50 singles of 1957 List of Billboard number-one rhythm and blues hits List of CHUM number-one singles of 1957 List of UK Singles Chart number ones of the 1950s

References

External links