The Story and Meaning Behind Frank Sinatra’s First Swan Song, “My Way”

“My Way”—A song summing up the life of a decorated man in less than five minutes. It is a modern epic, an expose of success, and an awe-inspiring anthem of life’s choices and their consequences. It is Frank Sinatra’s final song before the musician left the spotlight for the first time. “My Way” is unarguably one of the most epic songs of all time, and the story behind it makes it all the more.

Released in 1969, the song acts as the closing curtain of Sinatra’s All-American illustrious career. Not only did the song act as his “swan song,” but it also became a reminder of the “can do” attitude so heavily embedded in American culture. This comes as no surprise, as Sinatra was the American for the majority of his career. Here is the story and meaning behind the song that closed out Sinatra’s career. At least for a short while…

Stepping Into Sinatra’s Shoes

“My Way” was originally written by a young Paul Anka after Sinatra disclosed in 1967 that he was done with music. In an interview with Howard Stern, Anka stated, “I started writing as if Frank Sinatra were writing the lyrics.” From that Anka crafted the infamous first couplet—And now, the end is near / And so I face the final curtain.

Following the five hours it took Anka to write the song, he flew out to Vegas, gave Sinatra the demo record, and two months later Sinatra recorded the final cut of “My Way.” Upon hearing it, Anka told Stern, “I started crying.” As surely many people have and will continue to do upon hearing the song capturing the legacy of an American cultural giant.

Frank Sinatra’s Supposed Swan Song

Now, Sinatra fans know this in fact was not his last song. Despite the wear and tear of the business and the legal investigations regarding his mafia ties, Sinatra was not yet done. After the booming success of “My Way” in 1969, Sinatra came back to music following his retirement in 1971 and released “Let Me Try Again” another song Anka wrote.

Regardless of Sinatra’s cold feet towards retirement, the song is still the song. It’s monumentally momentous and captures a sense of independence that most people long to have. That being so, many people might have wished Sinatra’s curtain close would have ended with such a cinematic song. But it didn’t, as Sinatra would go on to officially retire in 1995 and die three years later in 1998.

Photo by Daniel Rosenblum/Keystone/Getty Images