The late great Frank Sinatra has an amazing music catalogue – this we can all agree on. For many, his single “My Way” is one of his greatest works that resonated with many listeners. For Frank Sinatra, it became a song that he grew to hate. Let’s dive into the story behind the song and the lyrics’ interpretation.
“My Way” is an English-language lyrical adaptation of the French song “Comme d’habitude”, written by Paul Anka and released by Frank Sinatra in 1969. The song was included in Frank Sinatra’s album, also titled ‘My Way’, in March 1969. The song became so popular that it became a staple in Frank’s career at the time.
In the UK, “My Way” spent a staggering 75 weeks in the top 40 songs from April 1969 to September 1971. However, it never cracked the top 4 in the UK. In the US, the song peaked at #27 in the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. The song sold several dozen million copies worldwide. In 2000, Frank’s version of “My Way” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Despite the immense success, Frank Sinatra’s daughter revealed that her father hated the song at some point; “He always thought that song was self-serving and self-indulgent. He didn’t like it. That song stuck and he couldn’t get it off his shoe.”
How did “My Way” by Frank Sinatra come to life?
Paul Anka, the writer of the song, heard the French version of the song “Comme d’habitude” while on vacation in France. The French title loosely translates to “As Usual,” and Paul Anka obtained the rights to a lyrical adaptation of the song, apparently for one dollar. But the agreement retained royalty rights with the original French writers of the song. Back in New York, Paul Anka wrote “My Way,” thinking only about Frank Sinatra. Anka then called up Frank Sinatra and mentioned the song. On December 30, 1968, Frank Sinatra recorded his version of the song in one take, and it was released a few months later.
Listen to “My Way” by Frank Sinatra
What is the meaning of the song “My Way” by Frank Sinatra?
“My Way” tells the story of a man who has come a long way in his life, with successes measured by his own standards. No one lives a life filled only with pride – there’s bound to be some regrets along the way. But if one can look back at their own journey and measure ‘success’ to outweigh ‘failures,’ they would have led a good life.
At the beginning of the first verse of the song, Frank Sinatra sings that he is closing in on a chapter of his life. “Final curtain” resembles the final act of performance – be it his career or something else. The lore goes that Frank Sinatra was having dinner with Paul Anka and some mob bosses in Florida. At the dinner, Sinatra has expressed his frustration in the showbusiness and said that he wanted to quit. When Anka wrote “My Way” with Sinatra in mind, this was the inspiration behind the beginning of the song.
Next, Frank Sinatra sings to his audience. He is direct and certain of the things he is about to say.
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I traveled each and every highway
It takes guts to tell yourself that you lived a full life. And Frank Sinatra most certainly did so. He is a legend in music with over 235 million records sold – and this was way before social media, and the world population was less than half of what it is now. Sinatra has won Grammy awards, Oscars, and Golden Globes, and was a household name back in the 60’s. He was also involved in politics and even friends with the Mafia. In his personal life, he had three children and a few successful marriages.
‘Every highway’ is an indication of the multitude of things Sinatra did throughout his life. Different roads and byways bring you different experiences, struggles, and destinations. Experience makes a man full and grounded.
And more, much more than this
I did it my way
The central theme of the song is that Frank Sinatra lived his life to the fullest on his own terms. He didn’t bow down to anyone, did not take handouts from anyone, and this is something he is most proud of. Some people shoot to stardom at the feet of others – they are often called ‘industry plants.’ Frank Sinatra possessed the talent and the looks to captivate the entire world. His life, that is full and ripe, he achieved it all his way.
In the second verse of the song, Frank Sinatra sings that his life is not perfect despite all the successes.
Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
It is almost impossible to live an entire life without a single mistake or regret. Frank Sinatra is human, too. The important part is that you learn from your mistakes and adjust yourself to never repeat those mistakes. This ensures that you have fewer regrets than successes in your life, and this is all you can hope and plan for.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption
‘I did what I had to do,’ is a strong statement by Frank Sinatra, which says that he acted on what was the best course of action at the time. By no means does this line mean that everything he had to do was the best choice for him and everyone else. Sometimes, you really can’t foresee the repercussions of your actions. You just have to act on the best information available to you at the moment. Whatever consequences those actions bring you, you face them. This is what the second line ‘And saw it through without exemption’ insinuates. You have to own up to your actions and look forward because there is nothing you can do to change the past.
Sinatra also sings that many of his actions were carefully planned and executed. Perhaps this is one of the reasons for his massive success. But the thing he is most proud of is that he chose his own path – whether it resulted in less than ideal outcomes. He was the master of his own fate.
The chorus of the song is something we can all relate to and take a life lesson out of. Frank Sinatra sings that there were times when he bit more than he could chew – meaning he was doing things beyond his capabilities. Still, this was a decision he made for himself – there was no one else to blame for his struggles. So, he owned up to it. He faced the troubles, ate it up, and spat it out as he walked past them. He did it all his way.
In the third and final verse of the song, Frank Sinatra admits that his life has had its ups and downs. He has laughed, loved, and cried. But looking back at his life, he can see that those were all fleeting moments in time. The net sum of all his actions and decisions in his life has resulted in his accession.
The second chorus of the song speaks some hard truths about life.
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
Frank Sinatra sings that you are the only person you have truly got in this life. If you don’t love, respect, and protect yourself, no one else will. This is why you, and you alone, should chart your course of life, for you know the best for yourself. This is what Frank Sinatra did all his life, and despite any blow he has taken, he can be proud of this fact.
Let us hear what you think about this song in the comments below. Read the complete lyrics to the song on Genius.