Veteran pop star Paul Anka found another beautiful French melody as he did a few years earlier with Claude Francoise’s “Comme D’habitude” that became, with his ingenious lyrics, the immortal “My Way.” This time, Anka added some gorgeous love lyrics around a composition by the team of Alain Chamfort and Michel Pilay. The result was “Do I Love You?” that was first recorded by the Canadian legend on his 1971 self-titled album. The song was released as a single and became a minor hit for Anka. In 1977 under the title of “Do I Love You (Yes In Every Way),” the song was resurrected by country singer Donna Fargo who brought it to #2 on the Country charts in the US and #1 in Canada.

In 1996, Anka was working on Amigos, his Latin duets album, and recorded a new version of “Do I Love You” retitled “Yo Te Amo.” Sung with his daughter Anthea and Spanish lyrics written by Alejandro Lerner, this modern take of the song was put in the expert hands of David Foster and Humberto Gatica who crafted an inspired little gem. Foster’s arrangement was intimate; based on delicate acoustic guitars, ethereal keyboards and programmed percussions. Both Anka and Anthea did a great job handling the lead vocals with the bonus of Barry Gibb’s beautiful falsetto sweetening the atmosphere with his trademark harmonies. The adult contemporary value of the song was enhanced by Kenny G’s evocative saxophone solo. An English version of the tune was also recorded and included on Anka’s 1998 A Body Of Work cd.

2012 saw a new cover of “Do I Love You?” recorded as a duet with Dolly Parton and included on Anka’s cd, Duets. This last version presented some country flavor. Although not as catchy and elegant as the Foster-produced one, the emotional charge of the melody can still be heard.

Listen

Lead Vocals: Paul Anka & Anthea Anka
Harmony Vocals: Barry Gibb
Keyboards: David Foster
Sax Solo: Kenny G.
Acoustic Guitars: Dean Parks & Toledo
Arranged by David Foster

Produced by Humberto Gatica & David Foster

Lyrics

Beyond the shadow of a doubt
As the mighty river flows
As the meadow gaily plays
With the wind on summer days
Bout as deep as deep can go
From the canyons to the sky
Like a mother as she cares
For the baby that she bears

Do I love you? Don’t you know by now?
Do I love you? Must I show you how?
Do I love you? Must I always say?
Do I love you? Yes in every way!

About a s sacred as a hymn
And a Bible full of prayers
From a whisper, to a roar
Very much and even more
And I shall show it with my eyes
And share it with the night
If in death the good Lord is kind
You’ll be the last thing on my mind

Do I love you? Don’t you know by now?
Do I love you? Must I show you how?
Do I love you? Must do I have to say?
Do I love you? Yes in every way!

Do I love you? You should know by now.
Do I love you? Must I show you how?
Do I love you? Do I have to say?
Do I love you? Yes in every way!

Do I love you?
You should know by now.
Do I love you?