Elvis Presley’s powerful rendition of “My Way” remains a fan favorite, showcasing his vocal range and emotional depth. While strongly associated with Frank Sinatra, understanding the My Way Elvis Presley Year timeline reveals how the King of Rock and Roll embraced and personalized this iconic anthem across significant moments in his later career.
The Origin of “My Way”
Before Elvis or Sinatra delivered their definitive versions, the song began its life in France. Titled ‘Comme d’Habitude’ (‘As Usual’), it was composed by Jacques Revaux with lyrics by Gilles Thibault and Egyptian-born French singer Claude François in 1967. The original song lamented the routine of a failing relationship.
It wasn’t until 1969 that Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka discovered the melody. Recognizing its potential for the American market, Anka secured the rights and penned entirely new English lyrics, crafting a narrative of defiant self-reflection. He wrote these lyrics specifically with Frank Sinatra in mind. Sinatra recorded it later that year, and his version became a global phenomenon, cementing “My Way” as his signature song.
Elvis Encounters “My Way”: The Key Years
Elvis Presley admired the song and recognized its dramatic power. His journey with “My Way” unfolded over several key years:
1971: Early Engagements and Studio Work
The year 1971 was significant for Elvis. On January 16th, he was honored as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees), a moment of immense personal pride and recognition. This period saw Elvis actively recording. Amidst extensive sessions at RCA Studio B in Nashville throughout March and May, where he recorded tracks for gospel and Christmas albums, Elvis laid down an initial studio attempt at “My Way” on June 10, 1971. This version (WPA5 2599-01) wasn’t released at the time but marked his first recorded engagement with the song. June 1971 also saw Highway 51 South in Memphis officially renamed Elvis Presley Boulevard, further cementing his status during this era.
Elvis Presley in Los Angeles practicing karate stance in 1971
1973: Aloha From Hawaii – A Global Stage
The most famous My Way Elvis Presley Year for performance is undoubtedly 1973. On January 14, 1973, Elvis made television history with his “Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii – Via Satellite” concert, broadcast live from the Honolulu International Center Arena. Performed for a global audience estimated between 1 and 1.5 billion, this event was a pinnacle of his career. Wearing his iconic American Eagle jumpsuit, Elvis delivered a stunning, impassioned performance of “My Way.” This live version, filled with dramatic intensity, was included on the subsequent Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite album released the same year. For many fans worldwide, this performance defined Elvis’s connection to the song. The concert itself was a charity benefit, raising $75,000 for the Kui Lee Cancer Fund.
1977: Final Performances and Posthumous Hit
“My Way” remained a powerful piece in Elvis’s concert repertoire during his final year. He performed it during the filming of his last television special, “Elvis in Concert,” in June 1977. A particularly notable live version was recorded on June 21, 1977, in Rapid City, South Dakota. Following Elvis’s untimely death in August 1977, RCA released this Rapid City recording as a single in November of that year. It became a significant posthumous hit, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, proving the song’s enduring appeal and Elvis’s lasting impact. This release solidified 1977 as another crucial my way elvis presley year in the song’s history with the artist.
The Lyrics of “My Way”
(Words & Music by Paul Anka / Claude François / Jacques Revaux / Gilles Thibault)
And now the end is near
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’ve 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 exception
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 know
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 fails, 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, no not me
I did it my way
For what is a man, what has he got
If not himself, then he has not
To say the words he truly feels
And not the words he would reveal
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way
Legacy of Elvis’s “My Way”
While Frank Sinatra’s version remains the standard, Elvis Presley’s interpretations brought a different kind of raw emotion and vulnerability to “My Way.” From his initial studio recording attempt in 1971, through the triumphant global broadcast in 1973, to the poignant final performances and posthumous single release in 1977, Elvis made the song distinctly his own during key years of his later career. The song resonated deeply with his life story, and his performances remain powerful testaments to his enduring legacy. Each my way elvis presley year associated with the song marks a significant point in the chronicle of the King.
