In February 1967 Jacques Revaux, on holiday in the Hôtel Canada in Megève, realised that he was overdue to write four songs commissioned by producer Norbert Saada [fr], and wrote them all in one morning.
[1] One titled "For Me" had English lyrics; it was refused by Michel Sardou, Mireille Mathieu, Hugues Aufray and Claude François before Hervé Vilard released a version as a B-side.
François accepted but asked that an underlying theme of a couple in a strained relationship be included, in reference to his recent breakup with fellow French singer France Gall.
The French song is about routine in a relationship that is falling out of love,[5] while the English language version is set at the end of a lifetime, approaching death, and looking back without regret.
In this sense, "My Way" expresses feelings that are associated with another classic French pop song: Edith Piaf's recording of "Non, je ne regrette rien".