My Way
Brood Herman Lyrics


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And now, the end is here
And 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 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 exemption
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 knew
When 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, oh, no, not me, I did it my way"
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels




The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!
Yes, it was my way

Overall Meaning

Brood Herman's song "My Way" is an ode to the singer's sense of self-determination and personal agency. The lyrics take the form of a retrospective monologue, told from the perspective of an individual who has lived a long and full life, and who is now reflecting on the choices and experiences that have led them to this moment.


The opening lines, "And now, the end is here / And so I face the final curtain," immediately establish a sense of closure and finality, setting the stage for a moment of introspection and reflection. As the song progresses, the singer recounts the various high points and low points of their life, noting their successes and accomplishments, as well as their regrets and missteps.


Throughout it all, the singer remains steadfast in their belief that they have lived life on their own terms, and that they have refused to compromise their principles or conform to the expectations of others. This sentiment is encapsulated in the iconic refrain, "I did it my way," which serves as a powerful statement of selfhood and autonomy.


Overall, "My Way" is a stirring and deeply personal tribute to the power of individual choice and the importance of staying true to oneself. The song has become a cultural touchstone, resonating with audiences around the world and inspiring countless covers and tributes.


Line by Line Meaning

And now, the end is here
The journey is over.


And so I face the final curtain
I'm ready to face death.


My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll speak honestly to you.


I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I know what I believe.


I've lived a life that's full
I've experienced so much.


I traveled each and every highway
I've explored every option.


And more, much more than this, I did it my way
I made my own choices and lived without regret.


Regrets, I've had a few
I have some things I wish had gone differently.


But then again, too few to mention
But overall, I'm content with my life.


I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I fulfilled my responsibilities and persevered through challenges.


I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
I made careful plans for my life.


Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
I know there were times when I struggled.


When I bit off more than I could chew
When I tried to do more than I was capable of.


But through it all, when there was doubt
Even when I was uncertain.


I ate it up and spit it out
I persevered and overcame my doubts.


I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way
I approached everything with confidence and did things my own way.


I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've experienced a range of emotions.


I've had my fill, my share of losing
I've experienced my fair share of failures.


And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
Looking back, it all seems trivial.


To think I did all that
It's amazing to reflect on everything I've accomplished.


And may I say, not in a shy way,
I say this with confidence.


"Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way"
I did things on my own terms and didn't follow others.


For what is a man, what has he got?
What defines a person?


If not himself, then he has naught
Without being true to oneself, one has nothing.


To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels
To express oneself authentically and not conform to societal expectations.


The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!
My achievements speak for themselves.


Yes, it was my way
I lived life on my own terms.




Lyrics © WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE, JEUNE MUSIQUE EDITIONS
Written by: Claude Francois, Gilles Thibaut, Jacques Revaux, Paul Anka

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

MICHST1978

What a well done tribute.  Brood was the only person I've ever heard to sing this song and sound absolutely genuine.  The world lost a lot with his death.

Jan Rodenburg

MICHST1978 THE real and only!

Hans S

It was time to go...

DUTCH PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD

MICHST1978 so true

Guido Fromm

Thanks for Sharing Darling.

karl gorthmanns

Was Herman Brood hier vollbracht hat ist wohl einmalig.Den Song so zu interpretieren ist das Größte .Einfach nur genial.Vielen Dank dafür

Andrew -

One of the few times in my opinion a cover blew an already iconic song away. Probably because it was Herman singing it. Did the man live his own way, respect

Michel Biesot

Yes, Herman did it his way. ❤💯✊🏼

Potver Dorie

Dat mensen het op hun manier doen prima, maar laat geen kinderen achter 😔

Michel Biesot

Zodra de trompetten inzetten krijg ik een brok in m'n keel 🥲
Nu in 2022 nog steeds. Je was me er één, ik mis je alweer 20 jaar. ❤🎹🚬

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