“My Way” has music from the French song “Comme d’habitude” by Claude François and Jacques Revaux, with English lyrics written by Paul Anka for Frank Sinatra. Sinatra’s 1969 recording became his signature song and one of the most performed songs at events worldwide.
The song is often played in D major for Sinatra’s key. The harmony moves through the I, vi, ii and V chords, with a descending bass line in places and a dramatic build toward the final chorus. The melody is declamatory and grand.
Section by section: in the verses, keep your phrasing understated and conversational, the way Sinatra sings it. In the build-up, increase your dynamics and register. In the final chorus, play with full sound and confidence. For a jazz arrangement, reharmonize the descending bass line with passing chords and add ii-V movement.
Practice by singing the melody with Sinatra’s recording, then playing it with the same dynamic arc.
Transposing tip: singers often perform it in different keys, so learn it in at least two.
Arrangement idea: start with a quiet piano accompaniment, add strings or horns as the song builds, and save the full band for the final chorus. A held final note with a strong cymbal swell creates the grand ending audiences expect.
Ear training with the My Way Lead Sheet PDF: before reading along, listen to two different recordings and try to hear where each section starts. Then follow the lead sheet while listening. Connecting what you see to what you hear is how lead sheets turn into tunes you truly know.
How to use this My Way Lead Sheet PDF: print it or keep it on a tablet, mark the form sections and key centers in pencil, and write the guide tones you want to target above the tricky bars. Revisit those notes after each practice session so the tune gets easier every week.
Is it hard to play? It’s beginner to intermediate. Recordings to study: Frank Sinatra’s 1969 recording and Elvis Presley’s live version. Learn more about the lyricist on Paul Anka’s Wikipedia page, and find more classic song lead sheets on Minedit.