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My Way

Words & Music by Anka / Francois / Revaux

This show-stopping number is a favorite of both Frank Sinatra and Elvis fans.

'My Way' was originally titled, 'Comme d'Habitude', the song was written by Gilles Thibault, J. Claude Francois and Jacques Revaux in 1967.

Two years later, Paul Anka used the melody and wrote English lyrics with Frank Sinatra in mind. Sinatra had a major hit with the song, and it became known as a Sinatra hit. Elvis loved the track and covered it in 1973 on 'Aloha from Hawaii' and again on his 1977 'Elvis in Concert' special.

Another version, recorded on June 21, 1977, in Rapid City, South Dakota, was released as a single after Elvis' death in November 1977, and it reached #2 on the Country Singles Chart.

Artists who have covered traditional versions of 'My Way' include Julio Iglesias and Robbie Williams. Punk band Sex Pistols also made an infamous version of the song, sped up and with alternate lyrics.

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

Recorded: 1973/01/14, first released on Aloha From Hawaii

January 16, 1971

Elvis attends a day of functions culminating in an evening awards banquet. He and nine others accept the honor of being named One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce (The Jaycees). He is nervous about his acceptance speech.

He is touched, excited and deeply proud. This national honor has been given each year since the late 1930's and recognizes young men who have made great achievements in their field of endeavor, illustrating the opportunities available in the free enterprise system. It also applauds humanitarianism and community service.

Scientists, inventors, performers, film makers, politicians bound for the Presidency, and men of greatness in all fields, have been selected for this award over the years.

For Elvis, a man who grew up poor, and, in his early career knew the sting of ridicule from the Establishment, who, through the years has known criticism of his work, this is one of his proudest moments. It is a sign that he has achieved acceptance, recognition, and respect for his work and for the kind of person he is.

Elvis in L.A. 1971

I Sing All Kinds FTD CD
The Wonderful World of Christmas
Elvis: He Touched Me
Elvis Now CD

March 15, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Ginger Holladay Duet) APA4 1255-12
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face APA4 1255-12
Amazing Grace APA4 1256-05
Early Morning Rain APA4 1257-SP
(That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me APA4 1258-12

May 15, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee

Miracle Of The Rosary APA4 1259-04
It Won't Seem Like Christmas APA4 1260-07
If I Get Home On Christmas Day APA4 1261-08
Padre APA4 1262-12
Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees APA4 1263-10
Merry Christmas Baby APA4 1264-01
Merry Christmas Baby MWA5 9086-01
Silver Bells APA4 1265-02

May 16, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee

The Lord's Prayer (Informal Jam) WPA5 2571-01
I'll Be Home On Christmas Day APA4 1266-08
On A Snowy Christmas Night APA4 1267-NA
Winter Wonderland APA4 1268-10
Don't Think Twice It's All Right (Jam) APA4 1269-01
O Come All Ye Faithful APA4 1270-01
O Come All Ye Faithful MWA5 9085-02
The First Noel APA4 1271-NA
The Wonderful World Of Christmas APA4 1272-NA

May 17, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee

Help Me Make It Through The Night APA4 1273-SP
Until It's Time For You To Go APA4 1274-08
Lady Madonna (Informal Recording) WPA5 2572-01
Lead Me Guide Me APA4 1275-06

May 18, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee

Fools Rush In APA4 1276-24
He Touched Me APA4 1277-04
Johnny B Goode (Jam)
I've Got Confidence APA4 1278-02
An Evening Prayer APA4 1279-03

May 19, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee

Seeing Is Believing APA4 1280-14 (12)
A Thing Called Love APA4 1281-09
It's Still Here APA4 1282-05
I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen APA4 1283-01
I Will Be True APA4 1284-03

May 19, 1971 RCA Studio A - Nashville, Tennessee

Miracle Of The Rosary (V.O.) APA4 1259

May 20, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee

I'm Leavin' APA4 1285-05
We Can Make The Morning APA4 1286-01
I Shall Be Released (Informal Recording) WPA5 2573-01
It's Only Love APA4 1287-10

May 21, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee

Love Me Love The Life I Lead APA4 1288-12
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Temple Riser Duet) APA4 1255-01

Elvis Presley at Studio 'B', Nashville May 21, 1971

June 1971, The City Council of Memphis, Tennessee officially changed the name of Highway 51 South to Elvis Presley Boulevard in June 1971. The first sign was erected in January 1972 at a ceremony outside Graceland with Memphis Mayor Wyeth Chandler and Elvis' father Vernon Presley. When Elvis purchased Graceland in 1957, Highway 51 South and the area known as Whitehaven were 'out in the country'.

By the 1970s, shopping centers, housing developments and apartment complexes had sprung up in the area.

The actual street address of Graceland is 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard.

June 8, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee

Until It's Time For You To Go (Remake) APA4 1289-10
Put Your Hand In The Hand APA4 1290-02
Reach Out To Jesus APA4 1291-10

June 9, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee

He Is My Everything APA4 1292-05
There Is No God But God APA4 1293-05
I John APA4 1294-02
Bosom Of Abraham APA4 1295-06
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Vocal Repairs) APA4 1255

June 10, 1971 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee

My Way WPA5 2599-01
I'll Be Home On Christmas Day (Remake) APA4 1296-10

Elvis Presley makes television and entertainment history with his Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii - Via Satellite special. Performed at the Honolulu International Center Arena on January 14, 1973, broadcast live at 12:30 AM Hawaiian time, beamed via Globecam Satellite to Australia, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, South Vietnam and other countries. It is seen on a delayed basis in around thirty European countries. A tape of the show will be seen in America on April 4th on NBC. The live broadcast in January attracts 37.8% of the viewers in Japan, 91.8% in the Philippines, 70% in Hong Kong, and 70-80% of the viewers in Korea. The April showing in America will attract 51% of the television viewing audience, and will be seen in more American households than man’s first walk on the moon. In all, it will be seen in about forty countries by one billion to 1.5 billion people. Elvis commissions an American Eagle design for his jumpsuit for this show, his patriotic message to his worldwide audience. Never has one performer held the world’s attention in such a way. Elvis is in top form physically and vocally. This is probably the pinnacle of his superstardom, one of the all-time great moments of his career. Elvis was very, very nervous at first. Nobody else had ever done a satellite show before.

He was the very first entertainer, ever, to do a satellite show.

It was very expansive to rent the satellite for one hour, so Colonel Parker went to NBC, because they owned the satellite, actually it was their recording company. So they cut the deal and it was the first one ever.

Elvis was a nervous wreck. But as he went along rehearsing, and enjoying Hawaii, he became very comfortable with it. The thing about it, when you go on a satellite show, you go on stage at a certain time and you got to get off at a certain time, otherwise they will just cut you off, the satellite will cut you off after one hour. So the hardest part that Elvis was worried about, was to time it right.

But as we all know it went along perfectly. Joe Esposito was at the side of the stage while Elvis was performing with a flashlight and about ten minutes before the end time, he flashed the light to let Elvis know he had ten minutes left. It was an unbelievable performance, it was all for charity, and he was very comfortable when he walked on stage. He did a great job, looked fabulous. Can we ask for more?

A great singer, in a great location, great music and its now part of history.

12 Jan 8.30pm International Centre, Honolulu, Hi
14 Jan 0.30am International Centre, Honolulu, Hi

Audience tickets for the January 14 concert and its January 12 pre-broadcast rehearsal show carry no price. Each audience member is asked to pay whatever he or she can. The performances and concert merchandise sales are a benefit raising $75,000 for the Kui Lee Cancer Fund in Hawaii. (Kui Lee was a Hawaiian composer who had died of cancer while still in his thirties.)

Read more about the Aloha Special, including an interview with show director, Marty Pasetta .

Also Sprach Zarathrusta - See See Rider - Burning Love - Something - You Gave Me A Mountain - Steamroller Blues - My Way - Love Me - Johnny B. Goode - It's Over - Blue Suede Shoes - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - I Can't Stop Loving You - Hound Dog - What Now My Love - Fever - Welcome To My World - Suspicious Minds - Introductions by Elvis - I'll Remember You - Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On - An American Trilogy - A Big Hunk O' Love - Can't Help Falling In Love

Elvis In Concert CD - 1977 Incredible voice, right to the end!

Elvis By Request : The Australian Edition [CBS TV Special 1977 Recording]