Sid Vicious’ My Way: Punk’s Defiant Anthem

Sid Vicious’ infamous rendition of “My Way” stands as one of punk rock’s most audacious and enduring statements. Far more than a simple cover, the Sex Pistols bassist transformed Frank Sinatra’s smooth signature song into a sneering, chaotic, and utterly unforgettable punk rock spectacle. Recorded shortly before his untimely death, Sid Vicious My Way captured the nihilism, rebellion, and raw energy of the punk movement, cementing Vicious’s status as a controversial icon. This version, featured prominently in the film The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle, remains a potent symbol of punk’s challenge to the establishment, delivered with Vicious’s unique brand of confrontational charisma. Its impact continues to resonate within music history, representing a stark, shocking contrast to the original’s crooning sentimentality.

From Sinatra’s Signature to Punk’s Snarl: The “My Way” Journey

The song “My Way” boasts a rich history, beginning long before Sid Vicious lent his snarling vocals to it. Paul Anka penned the English lyrics in 1968, adapting the melody of the French song “Comme d’habitude” (composed by Claude François and Jacques Revaux). Anka specifically tailored the lyrics for Frank Sinatra, whose subsequent 1969 recording became a global phenomenon. Sinatra’s version spent an incredible 75 weeks in the UK Top 40 and is widely regarded as one of his defining performances.

Over the years, numerous artists have offered their interpretations. Elvis Presley performed it live multiple times, including his 1973 Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite special, releasing a live version as a single in 1977, the year of his death, despite Anka’s feeling it didn’t suit him. Nina Simone delivered a soulful, percussion-driven transformation on her 1971 album Here Comes The Sun, while Willie Nelson made it the title track of his 2018 Sinatra covers album. While other notable covers exist, none achieved the seismic shock and lasting notoriety of Sid Vicious’s take.

Sid Vicious Takes Center Stage: Recording “My Way”

Sid Vicious’s version of “My Way” was recorded in 1978 for the soundtrack of the British mockumentary The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle. Directed by Julien Temple and released in 1980, the film presented a fictionalized, chaotic account of the Sex Pistols’ rise and fall, narrated from the perspective of their manager, Malcolm McLaren. By the time of filming, the Sex Pistols had already disbanded, and Vicious himself was nearing the tragic end of his life.

Theatrical release poster for the Sex Pistols movie The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle.

Despite the turbulent circumstances, Temple managed to capture Vicious recording three covers for the film: Eddie Cochran’s “C’mon Everybody” and “Something Else,” and the unforgettable “My Way.” These tracks became key components of the official soundtrack, The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle, a double album compilation featuring demos, covers, and B-sides associated with the band.

Album cover artwork for The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle soundtrack featuring collage elements.

Deconstructing the Defiance: Sid Vicious’ Lyrical Mayhem

Recorded in Paris in 1978, Sid Vicious approached “My Way” with characteristic punk irreverence, significantly altering Paul Anka’s original lyrics to reflect his own persona and experiences. Injecting crude language, including slurs, Vicious immediately establishes a confrontational tone, delivering the lines in an off-key, whiny sneer that directly mocks the original’s smooth delivery.

The song begins with a swelling orchestral arrangement, seemingly mimicking the original, before abruptly shifting gears. Distorted guitars and aggressive drums crash in, transforming the classic waltz tempo into a punk rock thrash. Vicious’s revised lyrics offer a raw, albeit exaggerated, glimpse into his life and the punk ethos he embodied. References to drug use (“When there was doubt, I shot it up or kicked it out”), violence (“To think, I killed a cat, and not in a shy way”), his defiant attitude (“I’ve laughed, and been a snide”), and ego (“I faced the wall, and the world”) replace Anka’s reflections on a life lived with dignity. The result is a version that takes on a completely new, darker meaning, filtered through Vicious’s nihilistic perspective.

The Shocking Visuals: The “My Way” Music Video

The accompanying music video, featured as a climactic scene in The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle, elevates the song’s confrontational nature to a visual assault. Set in a grand theater resembling the Paris Olympia, Vicious performs energetically before a tuxedo-clad audience. As the song reaches its crescendo, he pulls a pistol from his jacket and begins firing indiscriminately into the crowd.

Sid Vicious points a pistol towards the audience in the infamous 'My Way' music video scene.

Adoring fans initially throw roses, but the atmosphere quickly turns to panic as Vicious continues to shoot, hitting audience members who react with fear. He concludes the performance by tossing the gun aside, giving the middle finger to the terrified onlookers, and nonchalantly walking back up the staircase he descended. This shocking sequence amplifies the song’s darkness, making it uniquely Sid’s own statement. Notably, actor Gary Oldman delivered a compelling reenactment of this entire performance in the 1986 biopic Sid & Nancy. The original NSFW music video remains widely available, though viewer discretion is strongly advised.

Sid Vicious: Punk Icon and Controversial Figure

Even decades after his death, Sid Vicious remains a potent and controversial symbol of the punk rock movement. His volatile behavior contributed to the Sex Pistols losing their contract with EMI Records. His signature look – spiked black hair, leather jacket, biker boots, and a padlock chain necklace – became iconic punk imagery. While often criticized for his limited bass playing skills, his stage presence and attitude were undeniable.

His legacy is inextricably linked with the tragic death of his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, in 1978, for which he was charged with murder (dying himself before a verdict could be reached). Despite these dark associations and his often-toxic persona, Vicious arguably became the most recognizable face of the Sex Pistols. While opinions on the band vary, their profound impact on music, particularly the punk genre, is indisputable.

The Physical Release: The “Sid Vicious My Way” Single

Leading up to the premiere of The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle, Virgin Records released Sid Vicious’s version of “My Way” as a single in 1978. Several variations exist, with the most common being the UK 7-inch format.

The UK 7-inch single picture sleeve for Sid Vicious' 'My Way' / Ronnie Biggs' 'No One Is Innocent'.

A 12-inch single version was also released, featuring different artwork. Specific pressings, like the one bearing the etched matrix “VS 220-12 B1,” correspond to a 1980 release from Virgin Records’ New Zealand branch. Other international releases of the single, in either 7-inch or 12-inch format, occurred in Australia (1978), France (1978), and later in Italy (2012).

Close-up of the Sid Vicious 'My Way' 12-inch single record sleeve artwork.

Inner paper sleeve for the Sid Vicious 'My Way' single on Virgin Records.

Close-up of the Virgin Records label on the Sid Vicious 'My Way' vinyl single.

Detailed view of the vinyl grooves and label area of the Sid Vicious 'My Way' single.

The single typically features “My Way” designated as Side AA. Side A contains “The Biggest Blow (A Punk Prayer by Ronnie Biggs),” originally titled “No One Is Innocent.” This track features Vicious’s former Sex Pistols bandmates Paul Cook (drums) and Steve Jones (guitar), with lead vocals provided by Ronnie Biggs, one of the participants in the infamous Great Train Robbery of 1963. While “My Way” is the main attraction, “No One Is Innocent” is a noteworthy punk track in its own right.

Record label detail for Side A: Ronnie Biggs – The Biggest Blow (No One Is Innocent) on the Virgin Records single.

Record label detail for Side AA: Sid Vicious – My Way on the Virgin Records single.

An Unexpected Approval: Paul Anka on Sid’s Version

Interestingly, the man who wrote the English lyrics specifically for Frank Sinatra, Paul Anka, expressed a surprising appreciation for Sid Vicious’s radically different interpretation. It’s believed that Sid’s final version incorporated vocal takes from multiple recording sessions. When asked about the cover for his 2013 autobiography, Anka reportedly stated that he felt Vicious’s version “was sincere.” This unexpected validation from the song’s original lyricist adds another layer to the complex legacy of Sid Vicious’s cover.

Overhead view of the Sid Vicious 'My Way' 12-inch vinyl record and sleeve.

Conclusion

While countless artists have covered “My Way,” few interpretations have achieved the cultural impact or generated the controversy surrounding Sid Vicious My Way. His rendition transcended mere imitation, becoming a raw, visceral expression of punk rock rebellion and personal notoriety. Featured memorably in The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle and accompanied by a notoriously violent music video, Sid’s version twisted the song’s original sentiment into a defiant, sneering anthem that perfectly encapsulated his public persona and the era’s punk spirit. Despite its abrasive nature, even the original lyricist Paul Anka acknowledged its sincerity. Sid Vicious’s take on “My Way” remains a landmark recording – shocking, influential, and undeniably his own – continuing to be available across various formats for new generations to discover.