The farewell begins in the first line.
“And now the end is near
So I face the final curtain.”
In the Philippines, this song became linked to real-life violence.
Over the years, several fights and killings were reported in videoke bars and parties where “My Way” was being sung. Arguments started over bad singing, teasing, or drunken remarks. Some fights escalated and ended in death. The pattern happened often enough that the song gained a reputation. People began calling it a “cursed” karaoke song. Some videoke operators even removed it from their machines to avoid trouble.
But the song itself is not violent.
The tension often starts with the lyrics and the setting.
“My Way” is not a light or playful song. It sounds like a final speech. A man standing alone, looking back at his entire life. In a public karaoke space, especially with alcohol involved, that seriousness can easily turn into pressure. The song demands attention. It does not invite jokes or interruptions. When people laugh, criticize, or comment while it is being sung, it can feel deeply personal.
What many people do not realize is that the song did not begin this way.
The melody originally came from a French song titled “Comme d’habitude”, written by Claude Francois and Jacques Revaux. The original song was about routine and emotional distance in a failing relationship. It was quiet, repetitive, and tired. Not proud. Not dramatic.
Later, Paul Anka heard the melody in France and bought the rights. He rewrote the lyrics completely in English and wrote the song specifically for Frank Sinatra, who was entering the later stage of his career. The song was meant as reflection, not celebration. A personal accounting. A man accepting the path he took, including his mistakes.
Even Frank Sinatra himself reportedly felt uncomfortable with the song at first. It sounded too final. Too self-focused.
“My Way” is not a casual karaoke song. It is a life summary.
When sung by someone who has lived long enough to carry its weight, it sounds honest. When sung in a noisy, competitive, alcohol-filled room, it can sound like a challenge. Without context, reflection turns into ego.
So maybe the song was never cursed.
Maybe people simply got carried away.
Listening is not only about emotion. It also requires thinking. Awareness. Knowing the moment and the place. Some songs ask for quiet respect, not loud reactions.
“My Way” was written to look back, not to provoke.
The trouble began when ego replaced listening.
⌨ ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ
