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The Four Masterminds: Who REALLY Wrote "My Way" And Why The French Original Was A Song About A Bad Marriage

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The iconic anthem of defiance and self-determination, "My Way," is not the work of a single songwriter, but a complex tapestry woven by four distinct creative forces across two languages and two continents. The true story of the song's genesis—from a forgotten French pop hit about a stale marriage to Frank Sinatra's signature power ballad—is one of the most fascinating tales in music history, one that has been brought back into the spotlight with the recent release of the 2024 documentary, Paul Anka: His Way.

The confusion over "who wrote My Way" stems from the song's dual identity: the original 1967 French composition and the legendary 1969 English adaptation. While the world remembers the voice of Frank Sinatra, the credit list for the song is a collaboration between a Canadian-American crooner, a French pop idol, a French composer, and a French lyricist. The song celebrated its 55th anniversary in March 2024, cementing its status as a timeless classic.

The Four Architects of the Global Anthem

To fully answer the question of authorship, one must look at both the music and the lyrics, and the two separate eras of the song's life. The four primary writers are:

  • Paul Anka (English Lyricist): The Canadian-American singer-songwriter responsible for the legendary English lyrics that Frank Sinatra made famous. He secured the publishing rights and completely rewrote the song's meaning.
  • Claude François (Original French Co-Writer & Performer): A French pop idol known by the nickname "Cloclo." He co-wrote the original French lyrics and music and was the first to record the song, titled "Comme d'habitude."
  • Jacques Revaux (Original French Composer): The French composer who created the initial melody and structure of the song, which was later refined with Claude François.
  • Gilles Thibaut (Original French Lyricist): The French lyricist who collaborated with Claude François on the original French words, focusing on the theme of a monotonous love life.

The publishing credits for "My Way" officially list all four names: Claude François, Jacques Revaux, Gilles Thibaut, and Paul Anka.

The French Origin: ‘Comme d’habitude’ (As Usual)

The journey of "My Way" began in France in 1967 with a song titled "Comme d'habitude." This original version offers a stark contrast to the triumphant English version and is crucial to understanding the song's true composition history.

The Melancholy Music and Lyrics

The music was primarily the creation of French composer Jacques Revaux, who co-founded Trema Records later in his career and was known for writing hits for French star Michel Sardou. Revaux's initial melody was not immediately popular, but it caught the attention of pop star Claude François, who was looking for a new hit.

François, a French national treasure known for his elaborate stage shows and hits like "Belles! Belles! Belles!" and "Le Téléphone Pleure," refined the music and collaborated with lyricist Gilles Thibaut to write the French words. Thibaut was a prolific French lyricist who also wrote for major stars like Johnny Hallyday and Sylvie Vartan.

The theme of "Comme d'habitude" was deeply personal to François, as it was inspired by his tumultuous breakup with fellow pop singer France Gall. The lyrics describe the dreary, repetitive routine of a couple whose love has died, a daily ritual of waking up, making coffee, and pretending everything is normal—"as usual" (comme d'habitude). It is a song of quiet despair, not grand achievement.

The American Transformation: Paul Anka’s Midnight Vision

The French song was a minor hit, but its fate was forever changed when Canadian-American singer-songwriter Paul Anka heard it while visiting Paris in 1968. Anka, already a star with hits like "Diana" and "You Are My Destiny," was immediately captivated by the melody, despite not understanding the French lyrics.

The Frank Sinatra Connection

Recognizing the tune's potential, Anka flew to Paris, secured the publishing rights for a nominal fee, and returned to New York with the intention of creating a new song for a specific person: Frank Sinatra. Sinatra, known as "The Chairman," was considering retirement, and Anka felt the song could serve as a powerful farewell statement.

Anka wrote the now-famous English lyrics in the middle of the night at his hotel, crafting a narrative about a man reflecting on a full, well-lived life, unapologetically "facing the final curtain" with a sense of pride and few regrets. This was a complete thematic reversal from the French version. The new lyrics were a perfect fit for Sinatra's larger-than-life persona, capturing his essence of defiance and independence.

Sinatra recorded "My Way" on December 30, 1968, during a rare afternoon session at Western Recorders. Released in 1969, the song became an instant global phenomenon, spending an unprecedented 124 weeks on the UK singles chart, a record for any song.

The Legacy and Topical Authority of the Writers

The success of "My Way" ensured a lasting legacy for all four writers, though their careers extended far beyond this single track. Understanding their full body of work adds topical authority to the song's history.

  • Paul Anka: Beyond "My Way," Anka is a legendary figure who also penned the theme song for *The Tonight Show* starring Johnny Carson and wrote hits for himself like "(You're) Having My Baby." His recent 2024 documentary, *Paul Anka: His Way*, confirms his continued relevance and deep connection to the song.
  • Claude François: Tragically, François died young in 1978 in a domestic electrocution accident. Despite his death, his nickname "Cloclo" and his music remain a cornerstone of French pop culture, and he continues to earn substantial royalties from "My Way."
  • Jacques Revaux and Gilles Thibaut: These French co-writers also have extensive careers in French music. Revaux co-founded Trema Records, a major French label, and continued to compose for other major artists. Thibaut's lyrical work graced the songs of numerous French stars, cementing his role as a key figure in the *chanson française* tradition.

The song remains a cultural touchstone, often cited as the most-played song at funerals and a staple of karaoke bars worldwide. Its enduring power lies in the dramatic shift Paul Anka engineered, transforming a quiet French lament into a universal declaration of personal victory.

The Four Masterminds: Who REALLY Wrote
who wrote my way
who wrote my way

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