Exclusive | Paul Anka pens new My Way rendition for Columbus Day Parade hitting back at removal of statues

Paul Anka has discovered a new way to honor Christopher Columbus.The legendary singer/songwriter has penned an updated version of his classic Frank Sinatra hit “My Way” with lyrics that strike back at those who want to erase the memory of the famed explorer.“For fun, food, friends, there’s never a lack // you’re going to get those statutes back,” he wrote in the new song, which he will be performing at the Columbus Day Parade in Chicago on Monday.The song references the statues of Christopher Columbus that were removed from the Windy City’s Grant Park and Arrigo Park.The song also references complaints by White Socks fans.“Lost [now Yankees first baseman] Anthony Rizzo, that’s a sob.

And what’s with those White Socks, A fanabla!”In one stanza he also mentioned Sean “Diddy” Combs, because he said it was “topical.”“Instead of fear or dread // no blue, no red // no dirt from Diddy // it’s true there’s much to do but we’ll come through it our empowered way.”Anka, 83, originally penned “My Way” for Frank Sinatra — set to the music of a French song “Comme d’habitude” — after he learned the Hoboken, N.J.native was thinking of retiring.

The iconic song was released in 1969, where it peaked at No.27 on the U.S.

Billboard chart.The Canadian born singer-turned California resident — who has over 239,000 TikTok followers — wrote it over the course of eight to 10 hours spread over five days in Los Angeles, Buffalo, N.Y., and Chicago.Although Anka, whose parents were of Lebanese descent, is not of Italian heritage, he said people often mistake him for Italian or Jewish.He did live in Italy for several years when he was younger.

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Never miss a story.This is far from the first time Anka has rewritten hi...