(You're) Having My Baby

The Zoo Crew is spinning Paul Anka’s controversial yet chart-topping 1974 hit, (You’re) Having My Baby, a duet with Odia Coates that soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Anka’s first chart-topper in 15 years since Lonely Boy. Written for his wife Anne and their four daughters while performing in Lake Tahoe, the song was initially intended as a solo piece. However, United Artists executive Bob Skaff suggested adding Coates, a gospel singer Anka met on tour, transforming it into a duet that gave the song its unique dynamic. The track sparked significant backlash from feminist groups, including the National Organization for Women, who gave Anka a “Keep Her in Her Place” award, and Ms. magazine, which dubbed him “Male Chauvinist of the Year” for lyrics perceived as patronizing, particularly the line about the woman choosing not to “sweep it from her life.” Anka defended it as a love song, noting in a 1974 interview that he sometimes sang “you’re having our baby” in live performances to soften the criticism. Despite the controversy, its catchy melody and sentimental tone resonated with many, with fans like Carolyn from Knoxville, Tennessee, sharing on Songfacts that she found it “perfectly wonderful” during her 1974 pregnancy.

The song’s polarizing nature didn’t end with feminist critiques. Its third verse, referencing the choice to keep the pregnancy, managed to upset both pro-choice and pro-life advocates, as noted in a 2013 Village Voice article, with the timing of Roe v. Wade’s legalization adding fuel to the debate. Anka, describing himself as a “libber,” insisted the lyrics simply acknowledged a woman’s choice. On the lighter side, the song has popped up in unexpected places, like a 1999 Barbara Walters interview where Monica Lewinsky revealed President Clinton sang it to her in the Oval Office. Its schlocky charm has also earned it ironic appreciation, with a Rate Your Music reviewer calling it “hilariously bad” yet oddly endearing for its absurdity, even noting its use in old wedding videos. The production, helmed by Rick Hall at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, gave it a polished sound, though some critics, like Rolling Stone, slammed its sappy excess.

Paul Anka, born July 30, 1941, in Ottawa, Canada, to Lebanese-Canadian parents, began his musical journey early. Growing up helping at his father’s restaurant, the Locanda, a hub for Ottawa’s entertainers, Anka absorbed the showbiz vibe. He sang in the choir at St. Elijah Syrian Orthodox Church, took piano lessons, and by 13 formed a vocal group called the Bobbysoxers, performing at local amateur nights. His tenacity shone when he won a Campbell’s soup contest, collecting labels for three months to earn a trip to New York, where he solidified his dream of becoming a singer-songwriter. At 14, he recorded his first single, I Confess, and by 1956, with $100 from his uncle, he headed to New York again, auditioning for Don Costa at ABC Records. His song Diana, written about a girl from his church, became a global hit, selling over 20 million copies and making the 16-year-old a teen idol. Anka’s early hits, like Lonely Boy and Put Your Head on My Shoulder, were deeply autobiographical, reflecting his isolation amid screaming fans, as he shared in a 2005 NPR interview.

Anka’s career evolved beyond teen idol status. Frustrated by a lack of hits in the 1960s, he bought back his music rights for $250,000, a savvy move that gave him control. He transitioned into a Rat Pack-style songwriter, penning My Way for Frank Sinatra and the Tonight Show theme for Johnny Carson. His 1974 comeback with (You’re) Having My Baby proved his staying power, followed by more hits with Coates and later works like the 2005 album Rock Swings, where he reimagined songs by Nirvana and Bon Jovi. Fans can connect with Anka on his official website, where he shares tour dates and contests, like a holiday prize pack giveaway. His social media presence includes Facebook, Instagram, and X, where he engages with Zoo Freaks through campaigns like #imagineifPA, granting wishes for tickets or video calls. Fan communities thrive on platforms like the Paul Anka Fan Club on Facebook, where enthusiasts share memories, and sites like Paul Anka Fan Club, offering exclusive content for devoted followers.