About the song
“My Way”… a song that’s become an anthem, a declaration of independence, and a poignant reflection on a life lived. While **Frank Sinatra’s** 1969 version is undoubtedly iconic, let’s turn our attention to **Elvis Presley’s** 1973 interpretation. It’s a fascinating study in contrasts and a testament to the King’s enduring ability to make any song his own.
Now, many of you will recall the original French song, “Comme d’habitude,” written by Claude François and Jacques Revaux. Paul Anka, ever the astute songwriter, recognized its potential and penned the English lyrics that we all know today. Sinatra’s recording, with its swagger and bravado, captured the spirit of a man who had indeed done it “his way.” But Elvis, in his later years, brought a different kind of gravitas to the song.
By 1973, Elvis had experienced the heights of fame, the adulation of millions, and the inevitable challenges that come with a life in the spotlight. His voice, still powerful, carried a hint of weariness, a sense of lived experience that added depth to the lyrics. When he sang, “Regrets, I’ve had a few,” you felt he truly meant it. There was a vulnerability in his performance, a raw honesty that resonated with audiences who had also weathered their share of life’s storms.
What sets Elvis’s version apart is its emotional intensity. He wasn’t just singing the words; he was living them. The soaring crescendos, the dramatic pauses, the sheer force of his delivery – it all combined to create a performance that was both powerful and deeply moving. This wasn’t just a song; it was a confession, a testament, a final word from a man who had left an indelible mark on the world.
Some critics have argued that Elvis’s version is overly dramatic, even self-indulgent. But for many, it’s precisely that emotional vulnerability that makes it so compelling. It’s a reminder that even the most iconic figures among us are still human, with their own triumphs and regrets. And in those final, soaring notes, Elvis seems to transcend the song itself, leaving us with a powerful and lasting impression.
Video
Lyrics
And now the end is near
So I face the final curtain
My friend, I’ll say it clear
I’ll state my case of which I’m certain
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I’ve traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way
Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exception
I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way
Yes, there were times, I’m sure you know
That I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall
And did it my way
I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried
I’ve had my fill, my share of losing
And now as tears subside
I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way
Oh, no, no not me
I did it my way
For what is a man, what has he got
If not himself, then he has not
To say the words he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way
