Smells Like Paul Anka?

There's something unsettling about hearing the line "Load up on guns/Bring your friends" sung by Paul Anka in full big band-style regalia. But what can I say? It makes me laugh.

Mr. Anka has released an album of rock covers, and in the midst of my DVD-lessness last night, I downloaded his version of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Believe it or not, it kind of works. Largely, I believe, because he treats the song like any other Sinatra-era standard without the slightest hint of a wink and smile.

Obviously, it's not up there with the emotional distress of Johnny Cash's cover of NIN's "Hurt," but it's enough to make me pleased to have some Anka on my iPod.