About
Originally written by Claude François and Jacques Revaux, My Way became one of Frank Sinatra’s signature songs in 1969. Robbie Williams began performing it during his The Sermon on the Mount tour in late 2000, adopting the anthem as a show-closing celebration of self-belief and survival. A live version appeared as a B-side to Let Love Be Your Energy in April 2001.
Williams’ interpretation pays affectionate tribute to Sinatra while adding his own mischievous flourishes. In concert, he often turned the teleprompter towards the audience so fans could sing along, transforming a reflective ballad into a communal moment. His version replaces some of Sinatra’s original lines with self-deprecating humour — “I saw it through with a tax exemption” — highlighting his ability to mix grandeur with wit.
I love singing it. It’s pure theatre, and the audience owns it as much as I do. Everyone wants that moment to say, “I did it my way.”Robbie Williams
The recording captures the richness of Williams’ baritone and his instinct for timing, qualities that would soon lead him toward the swing revival of Swing When You’re Winning. Although never released as a studio track, his live performances of My Way became a defining feature of his early-2000s tours, closing shows in arenas and stadiums across Europe.
For many fans, this rendition confirmed Williams’ status as a modern entertainer in the Sinatra tradition — irreverent, charismatic and unapologetically showmanlike. It remains one of the most memorable live moments of his career.
Lyrics
And 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 exemption
I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way
Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
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 fill; 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, oh no not me
I did it my way
For what is a man, what has he got
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way
Yes, it was my way
Credits
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Vocalist
Robbie Williams -
Songwriter
Claude François, Jacques Reyaux -
Original Artist
Frank Sinatra