Chart Performance: (Pop #2); 1959
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
As Paul Anka celebrated his 16th birthday, his recording of Diana stood at #50 on Billboard magazine’s Top 100 list of popular singles. That song had been inspired by Paul’s teenage crush on his family’s babysitter, the slightly older and decidedly disinterested, Diana Ayoub. After Diana‘s huge success made Paul an international star, the real-life girl reconsidered Paul’s infatuation. Paul, however, was done with Diana; but not with writing songs to women. In 1959, his heart throbbed for Annette Funicello of Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club. This time the interest was mutual. The two toured together and, as friendship turned to something more, Paul also noted a lot of heads-on-shoulders out in the audience. With that, and Annette, in mind, he wrote Put Your Head On My Shoulder. Sadly, the Disney folks frowned on the two teens’ romance; telling Paul it was just “puppy love.” Paul turned that admonition into a pleading-for-love hit; all to no avail. Annette went on to marry Paul’s manager.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2023 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Don Costa
Lyrics Written by:
- Paul Anka
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).
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