Paul Anka slams modern singers, says Frank Sinatra would have ‘thrown a chair’
Paul Anka has criticised modern singers’ reliance on autotune, arguing that artists such as Frank Sinatra would have rejected the technology outright. Speaking on Billy Corgan’s podcast, Anka contrasted contemporary production methods with what he sees as the more natural vocal standards of earlier performers.
He described Sinatra and Elvis Presley as his two “towers” of music, highlighting their influence on his own career and view of singing. Anka’s comments coincide with promotion for his documentary, “Paul Anka: His Way”, and an upcoming album, and reflect a wider debate over technology’s role in popular music.
- Paul Anka criticised singers’ use of autotune.
- He said Frank Sinatra would have rejected it.
- Anka praised Sinatra and Elvis Presley’s vocal legacy.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of Anka’s view argue that heavy autotune can conceal weak technique and reduce the value placed on distinctive, well-trained live voices. They see singers such as Sinatra and Presley as exemplars of phrasing, control and emotional interpretation achieved without corrective technology, and worry that production tools can make performances sound interchangeable. This case rests on preserving musical craft, authenticity and a clear connection between what listeners hear on record and what an artist can deliver in person.
The case against
Defenders of modern production argue that autotune is a creative instrument as well as a corrective one, much like multitracking, amplification and other technologies that earlier generations also adopted. Used thoughtfully, it can create new vocal textures, broaden artistic expression and help artists realise recordings without preventing them from being skilled performers. This case values innovation and rejects the idea that one era’s preferred sound should define what counts as legitimate music.