In the bustling city of Las Vegas, known for its glitz, glamour, and penchant for risk-taking, there is one man who played a vital role in shaping its identity: Frank Sinatra. His iconic residencies during the Rat Pack era in the 1950s, along with his timeless hit 'My Way,' epitomized the essence of Vegas. This year's Super Bowl organizers recognized Sinatra's significant influence and paid tribute to him. But little did they know, Sinatra's rendition of 'My Way' was not the first. It had already embarked on a fascinating journey before reaching Ol' Blue Eyes in 1968.
The story of 'My Way' begins in France in 1967. A Parisian composer named Jacques Revaux crafted a heartfelt ballad with English lyrics titled 'For Me.' Despite Revaux's efforts to find the perfect vocalist for the track, including pitching it to the likes of Petula Clark, it was met with rejection. Undeterred, Revaux transformed the song into 'Comme d'habitude' ('As Usual') with the help of singer Claude François and lyricist Gilles Thibault. In February 1968, their rendition became a hit on the French pop charts.
That same year, a struggling singer-songwriter named David Bowie, who had not yet released his breakthrough hit 'Space Oddity,' found himself in London. Bowie's then-publisher, David Platz, connected him with Geoffrey Heath, another music publisher who held limited options for the British rights to 'Comme d'habitude.' Heath required an English adaptation, and Bowie eagerly took up the challenge. He reworked the song into 'Even a Fool Learns to Love,' incorporating a nod to his own 1967 ballad, 'When I Live My Dream.' Little did Bowie know how this opportunity would change the course of 'My Way.'
Bowie confessed in a 2002 interview that he initially cringed at his own lyrics and anticipated the song's fate to end there. But to his surprise, he heard it on the radio with different lyrics being sung by none other than Frank Sinatra himself. The updated lyrics had been penned by the legendary Paul Anka, who stumbled upon the French original while vacationing in the south of France. Anka swiftly acquired the rights to the song for one dollar and felt compelled to create new lyrics that would suit Sinatra's distinctive style. With the help of producer Sonny Burke and arranger Don Costa, Sinatra recorded Anka's version of 'My Way' in December 1968. Three months later, it was released on his Reprise label.
Although 'My Way' only reached number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969, the song has since become inseparable from the persona of Frank Sinatra. Anka reflected on the song's impact, noting its ability to resonate with people on a personal level. It became a song for marriages, funerals, and even reached individuals on death row. Anka believed 'My Way' appealed to humanity's inherent need for self-expression and ego, and it struck a chord during an era drifting towards self-centeredness.
But the journey of 'My Way' didn't end there. David Bowie, still harboring a touch of bitterness towards Sinatra for claiming the song as his own, sought to craft a response. Indulging in his artistic revenge, Bowie wrote 'Life On Mars?,' a song that he believed rivalled the grandeur of 'My Way.' Interestingly, 'Life on Mars?' would take its own unique path towards becoming an iconic composition.
Elvis Presley, an extraordinary performer in his own right, embraced 'My Way' during his Las Vegas residency in the early 1970s. Presley's deep voice added a haughty allure to the song, making it a staple of his live performances. His rendition gained further recognition when a live version, recorded shortly before his untimely death in 1977, was released as a single and charted at number 22 on the Hot 100.
In a surprising turn of events, the Sex Pistols' bassist, Sid Vicious, covered 'My Way' in a punk rock style for their film 'The Great Rock and Roll Swindle.' Vicious sneered his way through the song, accompanied by a compelling and controversial visual portrayal. The cover became a template for countless irreverent renditions of iconic songs, showcasing the song's versatility and enduring impact.
'My Way' continued to be performed by artists from various backgrounds and across different cultures. Paul Anka himself recorded the song on multiple occasions, including a Spanish duet with Julio Iglesias titled 'A Mi Manera.' It even made its way to Japan, where Yuzo Kayama, known as 'the Japanese Frank Sinatra,' captivated audiences with his rendition.
In a final twist, in 1978, the BBC stumbled upon a long-lost demo tape and typewritten lyrics for Bowie's version of 'Even a Fool Learns to Love.' Previously thought to be lost, this discovery shed light on Bowie's early involvement with the song. The singer's former manager, Ken Pitt, shared a self-made video in which Bowie combined the song with a promotional clip, giving a glimpse into what could have been.
But despite the song's enduring popularity and its association with Sinatra, the man himself grew weary of it. Sinatra's daughter, Tina, revealed that her father believed the song to be self-serving and self-indulgent. It clung to him, perhaps more than he desired, becoming an inseparable part of his legacy.
As the Super Bowl pays tribute to the iconic city of Las Vegas and its influential figures, let us remember the journey of 'My Way.' From its humble beginnings in France to its transformation by David Bowie and eventual coronation by Frank Sinatra, this song has captivated hearts and minds around the world. Its timeless appeal and ability to evoke strong emotions ensure it remains an enduring anthem for generations to come.
