My Way
Sinatra (Frank) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll make it clear
I'll state my case, of which I am certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more
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, much more
I did it, I did it my way
Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
And through it all, whenever there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall
And did it, did it my way
I've loved, laughed and cried
I had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside
I find that it's all so amusing
And to think I did all that
And may I say not in a shy way
No, no, not me
I did it my way
For what is a man, what has he got
If not himself, then he has naught
Not to say the things that he truly feels
And not the words of someone who kneels
The record shows I took all the blows
And did it my way
Sinatra's "My Way" is a song about looking back on a life lived and reflecting on the choices made. The song takes on a tone of pride and conviction, with Sinatra proclaiming that he has done everything in his life according to his own terms. As the song begins, he acknowledges that the end is near and reminds us that he will face it on his own terms; it's a powerful declaration of autonomy in a moment that is often out of one's control.
Throughout the song, Sinatra reflects on his life and the choices he's made. He has lived a life that's full, traveled each and every highway, and walked every path that was laid out in front of him, and he did it all his own way. He admits to having had regrets, but too few to mention, and he's proud that he did what he had to do and saw it through without exemption.
In the song's final stanza, Sinatra celebrates the fact that he did it "his way." He talks about what it means to be a man- to have control over one's own destiny and to make choices that align with one's own values. He refuses to bow down to anyone else's expectations, preferring instead to stand on his own two feet and face the world with the same conviction he's had all his life. The song concludes with Sinatra reminding us that he took all the blows, but he did it "his way."
Line by Line Meaning
And now, the end is near
It is the end of my journey.
And so I face the final curtain
I am ready for the last chapter of my life.
My friend, I'll make it clear
I will be honest with you.
I'll state my case, of which I am certain
I will present my point of view, which I am confident about.
I've lived a life that's full
I have experienced everything that life has to offer.
I traveled each and every highway
I have explored every opportunity that has crossed my path.
And more, much more
I have gone beyond the expected and exceeded my own limits.
I did it, I did it my way
I achieved everything in my own style and by my own means.
Regrets, I've had a few
There are a few things that I wish I had done differently.
But then again, too few to mention
However, those things are insignificant compared to everything else I have accomplished.
I did what I had to do
I made the right choices in life.
And saw it through without exemption
I followed through on my decisions without fail.
I planned each charted course
I had a strategy for everything I did.
Each careful step along the byway
I took each step of my journey thoughtfully.
And more, much, much more
I went beyond just planning and strategizing.
I did it, I did it my way
I executed everything according to my own style and principles.
Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
I faced some difficult situations that you may be aware of.
When I bit off more than I could chew
I took on more responsibilities than I should have.
And through it all, whenever there was doubt
Whenever I felt uncertain,
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced my fears head-on and overcame them.
I faced it all and I stood tall
I tackled my challenges with strength and dignity.
And did it, did it my way
And I did it all by my own means and style.
I've loved, laughed and cried
I have experienced the full range of emotions.
I had my fill, my share of losing
I have lost some battles along the way.
And now, as tears subside
As I look back now with a calm mind,
I find that it's all so amusing
I realize how trivial some of my losses were, and it makes me chuckle.
And to think I did all that
And to imagine that I have achieved so much.
And may I say not in a shy way
And I say this without any hesitation.
No, no, not me
I am one of a kind.
I did it my way
I went ahead and created my own unique path.
For what is a man, what has he got
After all, what is the meaning of a man's life?
If not himself, then he has naught
If he doesn't do things his own way, then he has done nothing at all.
Not to say the things that he truly feels
It is important for a man to express his true feelings.
And not the words of someone who kneels
And not what others expect him to say.
The record shows I took all the blows
The evidence will prove that I have weathered all the difficult situations.
And did it my way
And I did it all by following my own principles and methods.
Lyrics © CONSALAD CO., Ltd., 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