Shirley Bassey - My Way (1987 Live in Berlin)

1987 (Shirley performs in Berlin celebrating the city's' existence for 750 years)

ABOUT this song:
"My Way" is a song with lyrics written by Paul Anka and popularized by Frank Sinatra. The melody is based on a French song "Comme d'habitude" composed by Claude François and Jacques Revaux. Anka's English lyrics are unrelated to the original French by Claude François and Gilles Thibaut and Anka is credited as a co-composer of "My Way" because he largely re-wrote the song. "My Way" is often quoted as the most remade song in history.

Paul Anka heard the original 1967 French pop song, Comme d'habitude (as usual) performed by Claude Francois with music by Claude Francois and Jacques Revaux and lyrics by Claude Francois and Gilles Thibault, while on holiday in the south of France. He flew to Paris to negotiate the rights to the song.[1] In a 2007 interview, he said: "I thought it was a bad record, but there was something in it."[2] He acquired publishing rights at no cost[3] and, two years later, had a dinner in Florida with Frank Sinatra and "a couple of Mob guys" at which Sinatra said he was "quitting the business. I'm sick of it, I'm getting the hell out".

Back in New York, Anka re-wrote the original French song for Sinatra, subtly altering the melodic structure and changing the lyrics: "At one o'clock in the morning, I sat down at an old IBM electric typewriter and said, 'If Frank were writing this, what would he say?' And I started, metaphorically, 'And now the end is near.' I read a lot of periodicals, and I noticed everything was 'my this' and 'my that'. We were in the 'me generation' and Frank became the guy for me to use to say that. I used words I would never use: 'I ate it up and spit it out.' But that's the way he talked. I used to be around steam rooms with the Rat Pack guys - they liked to talk like Mob guys, even though they would have been scared of their own shadows." Anka finished the song at 5am. "I called Frank up in Nevada - he was at Caesar's Palace - and said, 'I've got something really special for you.'"[2] Anka claimed: "When my record company caught wind of it, they were very pissed that I didn't keep it for myself. I said, 'Hey, I can write it, but I'm not the guy to sing it.' It was for Frank, no one else."

Dame Shirley Bassey recorded the song for her 1970 album Something. She also performed in live on numerous occasions notably the 1976 Royal Variety Performance. In the weeks following Sinatra's death in 1998 , Bassey sang is as a tribute to him on her "Diamond" concert tour.

LYRICS:
And now, the end is near;
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 ev'ry highway;
But 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,
But 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,
"No, oh no not me,
I did it my way".

For what is a woman, what has she got?
If not herself, then she has naught.
To say the things she truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way.

[barbararichardson]

I've heard this song by Frank Sinatra, but to hear Shirley Bassey sing this song took me to a new high. I played this song for my mother's memorial in 2021. I hear every woman's emotion, pain, joy, sadness, and freedom in this song video. The woman chooses not to explain why and did not want to explain anything to anyone. I hear my mother's voice and all her years of emotions in every movement Ms.Bassey made. I see now that my mother did things Her Way. Letting go and letting someone you love enjoy their life's journey without explanations is very hard to do. My mom enjoyed her journey I hope it took you to places no one will dear to explore.

[debbiemcleod]

One of the most outstanding voice of all time

[chrisgibson]

I'm 68 years old. When I was 18, I worked behind a bar in a UK night club. I got called in on my night off. I had requested time off because Shirley Bassey was appearing for the next two weeks.(not my kind of music). Long story short. I worked that night and every other night for the following two weeks, just to be able to watch and listen. She was amazing. There wasn't a sound while she was performing. I'll never forget that two weeks.

[PAMCMLXXXV]

No matter what you face in life man woman or child. Do it your way. Stand up in the face of fear may you all find meaning and happiness 2023 and beyond.

[piergiorgiotrillo]

Nobody sings with that theatricality. The legendary voice is just a little part of her talent!

[evag]

This was filmed more than 30 years ago, and is still chilling to listen to. She NAILED IT.

[JohanLebbing]

Damn, get`s me every acts and sings at the same time.
She truly is a living legend, and don`t tell me she`s not.

[noelchua]

Nobody ever had more passion in singing! The facial expressions, the mouth, hands, and body movements show the emotions embedded in the songs. She totally deserved every booming applause!

[TheJaniest]

She throws out the most powerful performances, this is just extraordinary. Only two people in the world know how to truly deliver this song Frank and Dame Shirley. She is a gift to the world. I love her so much 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤

[musicrocksoffical]

The very best version of this song. I’m addicted to Frank’s version, but there is so much emotion, power, and heart put into Shirley’s version. And my goodness. She’s singing it live!

[mariabrch]

Shirley Bassey in my opinion is the only woman that her performance specifically on that song can be compared with that of Frank Sinatra! Talents of such a high level are born once in a century...

[IpChoiWan]

Her non-verbal presentation is so splendid that it enriches a lot to her whole story-telling of this song - Incredible!

[arabianseagull]

I miss my mother so so much. . . . . . . May her Beautiful Soul Rest in Peace Amen

[chiyuenlee]

With all versions of this song, and I were allowed only to listen to one from now on, I would choose this one, and no doubt about it.

[davidsimson]

Shirley Bassey doesn't sing songs. She acts them. This is truly one of the finest examples. Amazing.

[icebox]

There isn't another singer that performs like Shirley Bassey..She lives each & every song she sings..

[secubie]

She didn't sing a song, she was the song. What a voice! So much sensation. It was simply amazing.

[Sisterlisk]

My first time hearing/seeing this woman perform AND I'M 25 YEARS OLD! What rock have I been living under?? I have chills.

[iancook]

The delivery of the lyric there is simply perfect. Faultless. Elite level.

[sonialboresi]

I'm italian and I dedicate this wonderful song to my dad Sergio who loved this wonderful singer so much.
Thanks Shirley ⚘💖