Paul Anka's surprise discovery: He co-wrote Michael Jackson's posthumous hit 'This Is It'

In a surprising revelation in the new documentary "Paul Anka: His Way," iconic songwriter Paul Anka shares how he discovered he co-wrote Michael Jackson's first posthumous hit, "This Is It," without even realizing it.

The documentary, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, chronicles Anka's illustrious career spanning seven decades. It highlights his remarkable contributions to the music industry, including penning timeless classics like "Put Your Head on My Shoulder," Frank Sinatra's "My Way," and Tom Jones' "She's a Lady."

Anka's collaboration with Michael Jackson dates back to the 1980s when they co-wrote several songs, including one tentatively titled "I Never Heard." Years later, after Jackson's passing in 2009, Anka was stunned to hear a newly released Jackson song called "This Is It," which turned out to be a polished version of their earlier collaboration.

Anka recounts in the documentary how he was contacted by TMZ about the song, and initially had no recollection of writing a song with that title. Upon hearing the track, he recognized it as the song he and Jackson had worked on decades earlier. His name was promptly added to the credits, further solidifying his legacy as a hitmaker.

This unexpected discovery wasn't the only posthumous Jackson hit with Anka's touch. Another of their co-written songs, "Love Never Felt So Good," featuring Justin Timberlake, became Jackson's last Top 10 single on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Paul Anka: His Way" offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and career of this legendary songwriter, highlighting not only his own chart-topping successes but also his unexpected contributions to the music of the King of Pop.