About the song
There are few voices in American music as immediately recognizable as Willie Nelson’s. That warm, weathered tenor—equal parts tender and unbreakable—has carried generations of songs across the great highways of country, folk, and American roots music. When he takes on a standard, he doesn’t just sing it; he inhabits it, reshaping it in his own unmistakable style. His 2018 recording of “My Way,” the classic song most famously associated with Frank Sinatra, is a masterful example of how a song can evolve while still holding on to its timeless
“My Way” has long been a song of defiance, a proud anthem of resilience and self-determination. Originally a French melody (“Comme d’habitude”) with English lyrics penned by Paul Anka, the song was transformed into an enduring classic when Sinatra recorded it in 1968. It became his signature tune—a grand, sweeping statement of a man who has lived life on his own terms, with no regrets and no apologies. The song’s stately melody and soaring orchestration gave it a larger-than-life quality, making it an anthem for anyone looking back on a life well lived.
Nelson, however, approaches “My Way” from a different angle. Where Sinatra’s version carries the weight of grandeur and finality, Nelson’s interpretation is more conversational, more intimate. He doesn’t belt out the song; he delivers it like a well-worn truth, something learned over decades of late-night reflections and long miles on the road. The signature phrasing that makes Nelson’s singing so distinct—those subtle pauses, the behind-the-beat delivery—gives “My Way” a new depth, one that feels less like a triumphant declaration and more like a wise old friend recounting his life story.
One of the most striking elements of Nelson’s version is the arrangement. Unlike Sinatra’s orchestral swell, Nelson opts for a more relaxed, jazz-inflected sound, with gentle piano and brushed drums guiding the song forward. His ever-faithful guitar, Trigger, makes its presence known, its warm, nylon-stringed tone adding an intimacy that sets this version apart. The result is a rendition that feels lived-in, a song not just about the big moments of a life but about the quiet ones, too—the long nights on the road, the hard choices made, and the memories carried along the way.
It’s worth noting that Nelson and Sinatra shared a mutual respect, despite coming from vastly different musical worlds. Sinatra was famously fond of Nelson’s music, and the two even performed together in the 1980s. In some ways, Nelson’s take on “My Way” feels like a tribute not only to the song but to the man who made it famous. However, Nelson never imitates Sinatra; instead, he honors the song by making it his own, which, fittingly, is exactly what “My Way” is all about.
At the time of this recording, Nelson was well into his eighties, an age when many artists slow down or step back from the spotlight. But he has always been an artist who thrives on movement—on the next song, the next tour, the next moment of creative expression. That energy is evident in this performance. Even as he sings about the past, there’s no sense of finality in his delivery. If anything, his version of “My Way” suggests that the journey isn’t over yet—that there’s still more road to travel, more songs to sing.
Ultimately, Willie Nelson’s “My Way” is a reflection of the man himself: timeless, wise, and utterly unique. It takes a song deeply embedded in American popular culture and gently reshapes it, offering a version that feels as personal as it does universal. Whether you’re a lifelong Nelson fan or simply someone who appreciates a song well sung, this rendition stands as a testament to the enduring power of a great melody, a great lyric, and a great artist who truly does things his own way.
Video
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 certainI’ve lived a life that’s full
I’ve traveled each and every highway
But more, much more than this
I did it my wayRegrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemptionI planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
But more, much more than this
I did it my wayYes, 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 wayI’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 amusingTo think I did all that
And may I say – not in a shy way
No, oh no not me
I did it my wayFor 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
