After Guy Mitchell caught his set at one club, Jerry Vale began recording demonstration discs for Columbia. When A&R supremo Mitch Miller heard his excellent voice, however, he signed Vale to his own contract. Vale first hit the charts in 1953 with "You Can Never Give Me Back My Heart" (arranged by Percy Faith), and continued during the mid '50s with "Two Purple Shadows," "I Live Each Day," and his biggest hit, "You Don't Know Me." Though his first explicitly Italian recording, "Innamorata (Sweetheart)," finally appeared in 1956, it wasn't until 1962 that Vale convinced the notoriously conservative Miller to record a full album of Italian songs. "I Have But One Heart" proved a big seller and was followed one year later by "Arrivederci, Roma" and a continental LP, "The Language of Love," both of which placed even higher than the first on the album charts.
Though the mid '60s were a trying time for traditional pop singers, Vale continued to be successful, with singles like "Have You Looked Into Your Heart" and "For Mama," and Top 40 LPs like "There Goes My Heart" and "It's Magic." Even after his albums began failing to make the charts in the early '70s, Vale remained a popular name in clubs and on television throughout the '70s and '80s. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
My Way
Jerry Vale 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 highway
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
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, I did it my way
Jerry Vale's rendition of "My Way" is a heartfelt reflection of a life lived on one's own terms, devoid of any regrets. The final curtain has arrived, and the singer accepts its arrival with clear-eyed determination. The singer asserts that he has led a full life, having explored all possible avenues presented before him. The repeated phrase, "I did it my way," alludes to this sentiment of self-reliance and individualism. The theme of self-possession and self-reliance is repeated in each verse, as the singer recounts the ups and downs of his life. The lyricist emphasizes the singer's strength and resilience in fighting through the difficult times and standing tall.
The use of the phrase, "My Way," is a nod to the song's origin, which was penned by Jacques Revaux and Gilles Thibaut in French in 1967. Paul Anka discovered the song while vacationing in France and purchased the rights to the music, intending to translate the song into English. Anka reworked the lyrics to emphasize the theme of personal autonomy, and he changed the title to "My Way." Anka had to convince Frank Sinatra to record a cover version of the song; however, Sinatra eventually succumbed, and My Way became one of his signature songs.
Jerry Vale was not the only artist to cover My Way. Other notable musicians who recorded the song include Elvis Presley, Nina Simone, Sid Vicious, and Shirley Bassey. The song's lyrics came under scrutiny in England after the tragic murder of publicist Reginald Bosanquet. Several British radio broadcasters edited words from the song to emphasize the line "I faced it all and I stood tall" to imply that Bosanquet was a coward. Although the lyricists stated that this was not their intention, Anka felt that the lyrics were ineffectively adapted and asked that they be changed. "My Way" continues to resonate with music lovers worldwide, gaining entrance to the popular cultural lore as a classic anthem of self-determination and perseverance.
Chords:
Intro: D E G G7 A
Verse 1: D E G G7 A
Chorus: Bm G A E7
Verse 2: D E G G7 A
Chorus: Bm G A E7
Bridge: F#m B7 E
Verse 3: D E G G7 A
Chorus: Bm G A E7
Outro: D E G G7 A
Line by Line Meaning
And now, the end is near
As my life is coming to a close
And so I face the final curtain
I am ready to meet death with dignity
My friend, I'll say it clear
I will be honest with you
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I will express my beliefs with conviction
I've lived a life that's full
I have experienced everything life has to offer
I traveled each and every highway
I have taken every path available to me
And more, much more than this
I have accomplished even more than that
I did it my way
I made my own choices and lived my life accordingly
Regrets, I've had a few
There are some things I wish I could've done differently
But then again, too few to mention
But overall, I have few regrets
I did what I had to do
I did what was necessary to fulfill my goals
And saw it through without exemption
I completed everything I set out to do
I planned each charted course
I carefully plotted out each step of my journey
Each careful step along the byway
I was meticulous in my approach to life
Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
There were moments when I made mistakes
When I bit off more than I could chew
When I took on more than I could handle
But through it all, when there was doubt
Despite any obstacles, I persevered
I ate it up and spit it out
I took control and conquered my challenges
I faced it all and I stood tall
I confronted my problems bravely and confidently
And did it my way
I used my own instincts and strengths to overcome difficulties
I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I have experienced the full range of emotions in life
I've had my fill, my share of losing
I have suffered my fair share of setbacks
And now, as tears subside
As I reflect on my life
I find it all so amusing
I can look back with humor and perspective
To think I did all that
To consider everything I have achieved
And may I say, not in a shy way
And I say this with confidence and pride
Oh no, oh no, not me
I did it on my own, with no help from others
I did it my way
I have lived a life unique to me, in my own way
For what is a man, what has he got?
What is the worth of a person?
If not himself, then he has naught
Without being true to oneself, there is nothing
To say the things he truly feels
To express one's genuine emotions
And not the words of one who kneels
And not simply echoing someone else's beliefs
The record shows I took the blows
My life history proves I have endured hardships
And did it my way
And I triumphed through it all, on my own terms
Yes, I did it my way
I have lived a life true to myself, in my own unique way
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, JEUNE MUSIQUE EDITIONS, WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE
Written by: Claude Francois, Gilles Thibaut, Jacques Revaux, Paul Anka
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind