Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family when he was 13 years old. His music career began there in 1954, recording at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African American music to a wider audience. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was a pioneer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. In 1955, drummer D. J. Fontana joined to complete the lineup of Presley's classic quartet and RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage the singer for more than two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", was released in January 1956 and became a number one hit in the United States. With a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records, he became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, made him enormously popular—and controversial.
In November 1956, Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender. Drafted into military service in 1958, Presley relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. He held few concerts however, and guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. In 1968, following a seven-year break from live performances, he returned to the stage in the acclaimed television comeback special Elvis, which led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of highly profitable tours. In 1973, Presley gave the first concert by a solo artist to be broadcast around the world, Aloha from Hawaii. Years of prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health, and he died suddenly in 1977 at his Graceland estate, just 42 years of age.
Presley is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century. Commercially successful in many genres, including pop, country, blues, and gospel, he is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music. He won three competitive Grammys, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.
My Way
Elvis Presley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 byway
Oh, and more, much more than this
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
Oh, 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 I 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 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 words he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way
The lyrics to Elvis Presley's song "My Way" are about life reflections of a person who has reached their final moments. The song starts with the line "And now, the end is near," which suggests the impending death. The singer is ready to face the final end and clear all the doubts from his conscience. The singer declares that he did everything in his life his way and will not regret a thing. He has traveled down the less-traveled paths, and he is proud of it. The singer is well aware of his life's journey's challenges and struggles. However, he summoned the courage and strength to overcome them, as he describes in lines, "I've loved, I've laughed and cried/I've had my fill, my share of losing."
The song also reflects on the singer's personal growth and experiences, showing that he has lived life on his terms. He has not succumbed to societal norms and expectations; instead, he chose a path true to himself. The song's theme is to live life on your terms and not conform to societal standards or pressure. The lyrics guide you to be brave enough to face weaknesses and emerge as a better person. "My Way" is an ode to individualism, independence of thought, and taking risks.
Line by Line Meaning
And now, the end is near
As my life is coming to an end
And so I face the final curtain
I am preparing to face death
My friend, I'll say it clear
I am talking honestly to those close to me
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I am confident in explaining myself
I've lived a life that's full
I have lived a complete and fulfilling life
I traveled each and every byway
I experienced everything life had to offer
Oh, and more, much more than this
I did even more than just traveling the world
I did it my way
I lived my life on my own terms
Regrets, I've had a few
I have some regrets, but not too many
But then again, too few to mention
I do not want to focus on them
I did what I had to do
I did what was necessary
And saw it through without exemption
I persevered despite any obstacles
I planned each charted course
I set clear goals for myself
Each careful step along the byway
I made careful decisions along the way
Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
I know that you are aware that there were difficult times
When I bit off more than I could chew
I took on more than I could handle
But through it all, when there was doubt
Despite any doubts or uncertainties
I ate it up and I spit it out
I faced challenges head-on and overcame them
I faced it all and I stood tall
I dealt with everything and remained strong
And did it my way
I overcame challenges on my own terms
I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I have gone through a range of emotions in my life
I had my fill, my share of losing
I experienced my fair share of losses
And now, as tears subside
As I have grown older, I am less emotional
I find it all so amusing
I now find everything to be humorous
To think I did all that
I reflect on my life and realize all that I have achieved
And may I say, not in a shy way
I am proud of my accomplishments
Oh no, oh no, not me
I did not conform to others' expectations
I did it my way
I lived life on my own terms
For what is a man, what has he got
What is the true value of a person?
If not himself, then he has naught
If a person cannot be true to themselves, they have nothing
To say the words he truly feels
It is important for a person to express their true feelings
And not the words of one who kneels
Rather than conform to others' expectations, a person should stay true to themselves
The record shows I took the blows
My life history shows that I have overcome challenges
And did it my way
I overcame challenges on my own terms
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE, JEUNE MUSIQUE EDITIONS
Written by: Claude Francois, Gilles Thibaut, Jacques Revaux, Paul Anka
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gaelanwhite8842
No matter what, we can all agree that Elvis had one of the greatest singing voices of all time.
@laurabernocchi449
The best
@leeallen2541
There’s not a singer around now that could sing or have a voice like Elvis I don’t think there will ever be anyone as good as him ever again ❤️❤️❤️
@luistapia7804
D.
@gregolsen1099
Paul Anka wrote this song for Sinatra, and it sounds like the King went a little heavy on the speeders before covering this epic tune, but hey- Kings do as they please. The Chairman of the Board always said that Vic Damone had "the best pipes in the business" it's a shame that Vic never put his shine on this one.
@sarahnewcomb738
There will never be another King of R & Roll....
@miketilson3170
I was not born until 74 but grew up on Elvis and to me he is the greatest performer of all time. His Voice never failed and will live forever. Long live the King!
@deboramarina7625
Natal 2023 as 3:13 com o amor que me apresentou essa obra prima. Obrigada, Thiago. Estará sempre em meu coração ❤
@DLEE-cu2ox
This song was my father's favourite and he passed away 10days ago with all his beautiful memories..
This will remind me him until I die.
Thank you for being with him 🙏
@davidviton1065
God bless you