Paul Anka, 84, teases possible retirement after 70 years in show business

The singer is best known for his hits ‘Diana’ and ‘Put Your Head on my Shoulder’ CultureMusicNewsPaul Anka, 84, teases possible retirement after 70 years in show businessThe singer is best known for his hits ‘Diana’ and ‘Put Your Head on my Shoulder’Carsen Holaday in New York Sunday 15 February 2026 12:28 ESTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoverPaul Anka Rejects Conventional Format For 'His Way' DocumentaryYour support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read morePaul Anka, 84, says that after 70 years in show business, he’ll know when it is time for him to retire.The iconic “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” singer reflected on his career in an interview with CBS News."When it's time for my body to say enough, I'll know," he said on the outlet’s Sunday morning program. "I'm playing with the house's money now. I'm one lucky guy!"Anka has stayed on Billboard ‘s Top 100 chart for nearly his entire career. He wrote Frank Sinatra’s classic “My Way,” along his own hit songs like “Diana” and “Lonely Boy.”The songwriter told the outlet that he started in the music business when he was just 10 years old, growing up in Ottawa, Canada.Paul Anka, 84, is considering retirement after seven decades in show business (Getty Images for the Songwriters)“It was very difficult to go from a modest background in a small town, to everybody's all over you and you're famous and you're a celebrity,” Anka said. More to follow...More aboutcelebrityRetirementJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesCommentsMost popularPopular videosBulletinRead next