When we think of the classic crooner Frank Sinatra, we can’t help but think of “My Way,” Ol’ Blue Eyes’ signature song. It is the perfect ‘wrap up’ song at the end of an event and the ultimate karaoke number. Chances are, you know all the words to the song, but what else do you know about “My Way”? There is more to the back history of this song than you may know.
Frank Sinatra recorded and released “My Way” in 1969 and the song shot to the number two spot on the music charts. In the UK, the song spent an incredible 75 weeks in the Top 40.
“My Way” began as a French song composed in 1967 by Jacques Revaux called “Comme d’habitude,” which translates to “as usual.” The lyrics of the song were written by Gilles Thibaut and Claude Francois, which told the sad story of a couple who are falling out of love.
But we need to back up a bit. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Canadian singer and songwriter Paul Anka was making a name for himself in the entertainment industry. His breakthrough came in 1957 with the release of the hit single “Diana.” He went on to have several other successful songs, including “Lonely Boy,” “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” and “Puppy Love.” He penned songs for other artists as well, including Tom Jones and Buddy Holly.
As Anka later recalled, Frank Sinatra often bantered with him, saying, “When are you going to write me a song, kid?” Anka was both flattered and intimidated. He built his career writing bubblegum teen songs, but that wasn’t Sinatra’s style.
Then in 1969, Sinatra invited Anka to join him for dinner … a random and unexpected invitation. Over dinner, Sinatra surprised Anka by informing him that he planned to retire from show business after recording one last album. He reminded Anka, “You still need to write a song for me.” Anka agreed to do it because, as he later recalled, you don’t say ‘no’ to Frank Sinatra. But Anka was still nervous about his new assignment.
Paul Anka recalled the French song, “Comme d’habitude,” he heard when he was vacationing in France. Anka traveled to Paris to meet with the song’s composer. He negotiated the rights to the tune, including adaptation, recording, and publishing rights, but not the original lyrics, while ensuring that the composers would retain their royalties.
When he returned to New York, Anka set about rewriting the lyrics. He listened to the tune over and over again as he tried to find the right words for Sinatra. He later explained that it was late at night, and he was frustrated until he pulled out an IBM electric typewriter and asked himself, “What would Frank want to say?” The opening line of the song suddenly came to him – “And now the end is near.”
By the time the sun came up, Paul Anka had completed the song. He reached out to Frank Sinatra, who was at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. He told him, “I have something special for you.” Anka’s recording company was upset with him; they wanted him to record the song himself. But Anka insisted that he wrote the song for only Frank Sinatra. He recorded a demo of “My Way” and hopped a plane for Vegas to present it to Frank Sinatra.
When he first heard “My Way,” Sinatra simply said, “I’m doing it.” A few months passed and Anka received a phone call from Sinatra who said, “Kid, listen to this.” Anka said he had tears in his eyes when he heard Sinatra sing “My Way” for the first time.
“My Way,” as Frank Sinatra’s signature song, became one of the most memorable songs of all time and a true American classic. Sinatra’s daughter, Tina, however, confided that her father grew to hate “My Way” which he called “self-indulgent.” With apologies to Sinatra, “My Way” will forever be a reminder of Ol’ Blues Eyes.