Mention the popular song 'My Way' and people immediately think of Frank Sinatra and Paul Anka.
In fact the song is French and was written by Jacques Revaux, with lyrics by Gilles Thibaut and Claude Francois. Claude Francois was a huge star in France.
This is the original 1967 version sung by Claude Francois himself. The original title was 'Comme d'habitude' (as usual). It was a huge hit, and in this video it has subtitles in Spanish.
Poor 'Cloclo' died whilst standing in his bath and trying to level a wonky wall mounted light fitting. He was electrocuted.
26 comments:
Let's leave aside that I can't stand Frank Sinatra. My dislike of him is not a rational one; it's primal, instinctive. Which doesn't make him a bad person. Just a person I don't click with.
The song? I just reread the lyrics. Looked at dispassionately it's an old man's reckoning. And whilst I do commend doing it one's own way there is that fine line where doing it your way actually means disregard for other people.
I remember an assignment, I think it was Cairo, where one of the team members was a steam roller if ever there was one. She was very good at what she did. However, every time she entered the room one of her colleagues would hum "Let's do it her way". Ms "My way is the only way" never got the joke. Good job too. Why hurt people when you can just amuse yourself.
U
PS Everything sounds better in French
To a great extent, everyone does things their own way. I don't think I've ever met anyone who didn't.
An interesting version that I've never heard before. Most Brits mainly know of French singers Edith Piaf and Johnny Hallyday. And our own Petula Clark often sang in French.
True that Sinatra through his time at Capitol Records gave us the great American Songbook back in the 1950's, many of which I have on vinyl. But reading Ursula's comment, there were things about his personality I didn't like. Like his dodgy connections along with a life of hedonism.
Even on his Live recordings he came across in a very unintelligent Trump like way.
I wasn't surprised to read that the Aussies kicked him out for his verbal and sexist bad behaviour in 74.
But then the Aussies have a history of throwing high profile people out, Novak Djokovic being the most recent.
A popular song at funerals. When it was played at my late brother's it was spot on. He did everything his way.
This version, of course, is the original one. As I said, most people would think it was a Sinatra song. I rather agree about FS, he always came across as an Italianate mobster.
The English (Sinatra) version has now become a true favourite for funerals. I've already written a good list of songs for my wake, but not for any funeral.
He certainly looks less sleazy than Ol' Blue Eyes. Nice dimples.
I have just read that Paula Anka pinched the tune from Comme D'habitude and just wrote his own lyrics for My Way.
Anka simply wrote the English lyrics, and Sinatra made the song his own. But we shouldn't forget the song's origins.
I almost chuckled at his death story
Well, John, considering your history of mishaps Claude's might one to befall you. Never count on having the last laugh.
U
Claude Francois had a lovely hairstyle. I wonder if he was related to the odious Tory M.P. Mark Francois?
I remember when it happened; France went into national mourning!
His hairstyle is more akin to Michael Fabricant.
Fabricant's hair was fabricanted by a wig maker.
I don't think Sinatra ever put so much angst and passion into his version!
I just spat my coffee out! Thanks for that Y.P. X
I believe he's still not admitted that it's a wig!
He concentrated more on 'phrasing' than passion.
I had no idea. The things that I learn from blogs! Have a good day!
CF seems to trigger a strong like or dislike reaction. The wig speculation is funny. CF seems a bit of a rogue. I was not a FS fan and carry no alliances nor to the song.
Afterthought to my PS [everything sounds better in French]. Opera? French? A resounding NON.
U
Cf was very much a child of the late 60's and 70's. He was an institution in France. If you look at some of his other songs on YouTube, you will see the 'Clodettes'; his group of dancers. It's so strange now to think that it was all so trendy back then.
Nor has YP. His hairstyle is late sixties.
Thank you for the lesson.
It'll stand you in good stead for the next 'Pub Quiz' you enter.
Thanks for the intro. I enjoyed the original version better than Sinatra.
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