Paul Anka Releases New Album, Reflects on Reinvention, Song Integrity and the Age of A.I.
Paul Anka has released Inspirations of Life And Love on Feb. 14, 2026 (ET), a lush collection that finds the 84-year-old singer-songwriter revisiting classics and introducing new material while reflecting on a career defined by reinvention. The release arrives as Anka prepares to resume his A Man and His Music tour and following a recent film profile that revisited his seven-decade trajectory.
New album and a long view of craft
Inspirations of Life And Love was largely cut in Anka’s home studio in California, with symphonic accompaniment tracked in Budapest. The 11-track set blends reimagined standards with new songs and is being issued on vinyl, CD and in immersive audio formats. On the new, slower take of “That’s Life, ” Anka frames the song as an inspirational reading rather than a straight revival, calling it “a great, great song” and noting he’s chosen to do it “my way” with a different emotional approach.
At an age when many peers have retired from the spotlight, Anka still adheres to a disciplined routine to keep his voice and stamina sharp. He continues to tour: his A Man and His Music dates restart on March 4, 2026 (ET). He points to language skills, genre flexibility and a willingness to write for others as keys to staying relevant. Early in his career he learned multiple languages to expand his international reach and, when pop trends shifted in the 1960s, he pivoted to writing, creating enduring songs that found new life in other artists’ hands.
Guarding song integrity amid commercial demand
When the conversation turns to the modern marketplace—where classic songs are frequently licensed for commercials and branded campaigns—Anka is measured but resolute. He notes that the only commercial he ever personally agreed to was one tied to a signature tune and that approvals are handled with care. "We carefully look at every request and we say no more than we say yes, " he said. "Nothing is approved without my expressed consent. I am involved in every request and personally grant it or deny it. "
For Anka, protecting the integrity of a song is less about blanket bans and more about stewardship: vetting uses, maintaining creative control and ensuring that placements do not undercut a song’s emotional or artistic value. His perspective comes from decades of experience watching songs move between artists, formats and commercial contexts—sometimes to the benefit of the music, sometimes to its detriment.
On A. I., advice for young artists and adapting to change
Asked about the accelerating role of artificial intelligence in music and media, Anka framed the issue against a larger lesson he has long offered: adaptability. He has navigated seismic shifts before—shifting from teen idol to international multilingual performer to hit songwriter—and he urges newer artists to treat change as part of the work, not a crisis.
His counsel to younger performers is practical and cautionary. "Walk in the shadows and be careful who you have around you, " he said, urging artists to learn the business, manage their reputations and remain skeptical of easy paths. "Realize that we live in a world where everything is temporary and most things do not last forever, " he added, underscoring the need to build careers on craft, discipline and smart choices.
Across the conversation, the throughline is continuity: Anka’s creative instincts remain rooted in a respect for melody, lyric and context, even as delivery mechanisms and technologies evolve. Inspirations of Life And Love positions him not as a nostalgist but as an active practitioner, someone still shaping how his songs are heard and how his legacy will be managed in a fast-changing cultural landscape.
