Almost everyone knows “My Way,” sung by such famous artists as Frank Sinatra and even Sid Vicious. But few people know that the song is originally from France, written in 1967 by Jacques Revaux and Claude François (commonly called Cloclo), one of the most popular French pop singers, who still has many fans more than thirty years after his accidental death. (His tracks are staples of French dance parties.)
Almost everyone knows “My Way,” sung by such famous artists as Frank Sinatra and even Sid Vicious. But few people know that the song is originally from France, written in 1967 by Jacques Revaux and Claude François (commonly called Cloclo), one of the most popular French pop singers, who still has many fans more than thirty years after his accidental death. (His tracks are staples of French dance parties.)
Composer Jacques Revaux first gave the tune English lyrics and an English title, “For me.” The song was refused by several renowned French performers, but Revaux, who was eager to work with Claude François, presented it to the singer, who accepted and reworked it. François also suggested a theme for the French lyrics, and so “ Comme d’habitude ” was born. With the additional help of Gilles Thibaut, it finally gained some success in France.
Then, another surprising chapter in the song’s strange story happened. David Bowie was asked to make an English adaptation, but his version wasn’t very satisfying. Bowie would later write “his own ‘My Way’,” as he puts it, releasing his huge success “Life on Mars,” largely inspired by the melody of “Comme d’Habitude.” It was ultimately Paul Anka who heard the song on French television, bought the rights, and wrote the famous English version, which would later be covered by many other artists along the years, just like the French original has itself been regularly reinterpreted in various styles.
“Comme d’habitude” literally means “as usual.” The lyrics are a sad and somewhat bitter evocation of a couple’s lost love and broken communication, inspired by François’s break-up with French singer France Gall. The lyrics’ narrator directly speaks to his partner using “ tu ,” a familiar equivalent of “you.” When he wakes up each morning, he pushes her slightly, but she doesn’t wake up. He then pulls the bed sheets over her, afraid that she will be cold, and gently strokes her hair, more out of habit than of fondness: “ Presque malgré moi, comme d’habitude" (almost involuntarily, as usual). The rest of the day is painful for him, as he keeps acting like an automaton, knowing perfectly well that their love is dead. The final line is quite explicit in this regard: “Comme d’habitude, on fera semblant.” “Faire semblant” is a common expression, somewhat childish though used by adults as well, referring to the act of “faking.” Children “ font semblant ” when they imagine being a nurse or an explorer, and adults “font semblant” when they fake love or fake being interested.
These lyrics have a realistic, disillusioned, and even harsh tone, which was unusual at the time in French pop music. It talks about ordinary everyday life, about a couple whose relationship is ending and who are strangely devoid of glamour. Therefore, the French is very different from the English version, which is a more well-known classic and also rather melancholy.
Lyrics:
Je me leve et je te bouscule
Tu ne te reveilles pas
Comme d'habitude
Sur toi je remonte le drap
J'ai peur que tu aies froid
Comme d'habitude
Ma main caresse tes cheveux
Presque malgre moi
Comme d'habitude
Mais toi
Tu me tournes le dos
Comme d'habitude
Et puis je m'habille tres vite
Je sors de la chambre
Comme d'habitude
Tout seul je bois mon cafe
Je suis en retard
Comme d'habitude
Sans bruit je quitte la maison
Tout est gris dehors
Comme d'habitude
J'ai froid
Je releve mon col
Comme d'habitude
Comme d'habitude
Toute la journee
Je vais jouer
A faire semblant
Comme d'habitude
Je vais sourire
Comme d'habitude
Je vais me^me rire
Comme d'habitude
Enfin je vais vivre
Comme d'habitude
Et puis
Le jour s'en ira
Moi je reviendrai
Comme d'habitude
Toi
Tu seras sortie
Pas encore rentre'e
Comme d'habitude
Tout seul
J'irai me coucher
Dans ce grand lit froid
Comme d'habitude
Mes larmes
Je les cacherai
Comme d'habitude
Comme d'habitude
Meme la nuit
Je vais jouer
A faire semblant
Comme d'habitude
Tu rentreras
Comme d'habitude
Je t'attendrai
Comme d'habitude
Tu me souriras
Comme d'habitude
Comme d'habitude
Tu te deshabilleras
Comme d'habitude
Tu te coucheras
Comme d'habitude
On s'embrassera
Comme d'habitude
Comme d'habitude,
On fera semblant
Comme d'habitude,
On fera l'amour
Comme d'habitude,
On fera semblant
Comme d'habitudee
