The death of Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50, shocked the world, but the consequences of the King of Pop’s death hit Paul Anka even harder.
The legendary singer-songwriter was surprised to discover he co-wrote Jackson’s first posthumous hit — and he had no idea until he was already on the air.
Anka (83) recounts the story in a new documentary Paul Anka: His waywhich premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10.
Directed by John Maggio and produced by Blue Ant Studios, PA Doc and Ark Media, the film chronicles Anka’s epic 70-year journey from Canadian teen idol to international superstar and one of pop music’s foremost maestros.
He is responsible for chart-toppers such as the future TikTok anthem “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” “You Are My Destiny” and “Diana” under his own name, as well as Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” Tom Jones’ “She’s” and Lady”, Buddy Holly’s “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” and Johnny Carson’s theme Tonight’s show.
But even Anka was surprised to learn that he co-wrote the first Jackson song released after his death: “This Is It.”
The pair first met in the ’70s, when Jackson – then performing with his brothers as the Jackson 5 – frequented Anka’s shows at glitzy Las Vegas showrooms. At the dawn of the new decade, Jackson was forging his own path as a solo artist and sought out Anka as a collaborator.
“Michael came up and stayed in my guest house, and we went to the studio,” Anka recalls in the documentary. “We wrote and spent time together and agreed on three or four things. I got his vocals and piano [recorded].” One of the songs they worked on during those 1980 sessions was tentatively titled ‘I Never Heard.’ ”
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The title proved prophetic. With the record-breaking success of Jackson’s decade-defining album Thriller In 1982, songs written with Anko were shelved indefinitely and largely forgotten by the musician until contacted after Jackson’s death, when a posthumous release titled “This Is It” became news.
“One day I got a call from TMZ,” Anka explains in the document.[They said,] ‘We were told you wrote this song with Michael.’ I said, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, I’ve never written a song called ‘This Is It.’ Send it to me.’ After a few bars, he realized that this “new” Jackson song was actually a finished version of “I Never Heard” that had been polished with instrumental overdubs and given a new title.
Anka’s name was quickly added to the credits, making it onto his hit list.
Another Anka/Jackson co-write would appear five years later, in 2014, with the release of “Love Never Felt So Good.” Featuring guest vocals from Justin Timberlake, the song would become Jackson’s last Top 10 single on Billboard Hot 100 to date.
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Elements of the third song from the sessions — unfinished and thought to be untitled — were incorporated into Drake’s “Don’t Matter To Me,” which was included on the rapper’s 2018 album. Scorpion.
Release date in cinemas Paul Anka: His way not yet published. The Toronto Film Festival runs until Sunday.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education