The "My Way" curse refers to a phenomenon in the Philippines where the song "My Way" by Frank Sinatra has gained a reputation for being cursed. This curse is said to be caused by individuals who perform the song at karaoke bars and end up experiencing unfortunate events or even death. The belief in the "My Way" curse is so strong that many karaoke bars in the Philippines have removed the song from their playlists. This superstition has also spread to other countries in Asia, where some people believe that performing "My Way" can bring bad luck or even death. It is believed that the curse is a result of the song's lyrics, which speak of a person who lived life on their own terms, without regard for others. This rebellious attitude is seen as offensive or disrespectful in some cultures, leading to the belief that singing the song can invoke negative forces.
Rodolfo Gregorio has seen countless fights over karaoke songs in his time.
The My Way killings in the Philippines exposed a dark side of karaoke culture, where singing off-key and microphone dominance led to tragic outcomes. And now, the end is near And so I face the final curtain My friend, I ll say it clear I ll state my case, of which I m certain I ve live a life that s full I traveled each and every highway And more, much more than this I did it my way.
This rebellious attitude is seen as offensive or disrespectful in some cultures, leading to the belief that singing the song can invoke negative forces. While there is no scientific evidence to support the existence of the "My Way" curse, the belief in it remains strong among many people. This superstition serves as a cautionary tale about the power of culture and the importance of respecting local customs and beliefs.
Did karaoke versions of Sinatra's My Way provoke killings in the Philippines?
Over the past decade, the Philippines has been stung by a series of killings all reportedly provoked by karaoke versions of Frank Sinatra's My Way. At least half a dozen people have been murdered after singing the tune at karaoke, according to the New York Times.
Local media call them "My Way killings", and they are occurring in some of the Philippines' thousands of karaoke-filled bars, cafés and restaurants. Someone gets up, clears his or her throat, and chooses My Way from a list of songs. The lyrics appear on a screen, the music begins to play - and the trouble begins.
"The trouble with My Way is that everyone knows it and everyone has an opinion," Rodolfo Gregorio, an amateur singer from General Santos, told the newspaper. Some performers get into fights with their critics. Some are rude, some jump forward in line, and some simply sing out of tune. "I used to like My Way but after all the trouble, I stopped singing it," Gregorio said. "You can get killed."
Manila resident Alisa Escanlar recalled an incident where her uncle, a police officer, was listening to a friend sing My Way, apparently the most remade song in history, at a local bar. When someone at another table began to laugh, Escanlar's uncle drew his revolver. The people fled, she explained - but Escanlar and her relatives have now banned the Sinatra song from their karaoke parties.
Stories like these have helped My Way to gain a sinister, even malevolent reputation. While some say the violence is simply a matter of statistics - the song is one of the favourites in a country prone to violence - others blame its boastful style. Paul Anka wrote the English lyrics with Sinatra in mind, and they reflect Old Blue Eyes' preeminence. A man, his song explains, must "say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels".
Unfortunately, several people have "taken the blows" of "doing it my way". Not that My Way has pride of place. Karaoke-related violence has spanned the globe, from an attack in Seattle after a man sang Coldplay's Yellow, to a Thai man who killed eight of his harmonising neighbours after their performance of John Denver's Take Me Home Country Roads. Perhaps the real solution is singing lessons.
This article was amended on 10 February 2010. The original said that a Malaysian man had killed eight of his harmonising neighbours. This has been corrected.
Stories like these have helped My Way to gain a sinister, even malevolent reputation. While some say the violence is simply a matter of statistics - the song is one of the favourites in a country prone to violence - others blame its boastful style. Paul Anka wrote the English lyrics with Sinatra in mind, and they reflect Old Blue Eyes' preeminence. A man, his song explains, must "say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels".
In conclusion, the "My Way" curse is a superstition that has gained popularity in the Philippines and other Asian countries. It is believed that singing the song "My Way" can bring bad luck or even death. While there is no scientific evidence to support this belief, it serves as a reminder to respect local customs and beliefs..
Reviews for "The My Way Curse: Fact or Fiction?"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "My Way Curse". The story was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters were unlikable. I found myself not caring about what happened to them and was not invested in the outcome of the story. Overall, I felt like I wasted my time reading this book and would not recommend it.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I was extremely bored reading "My Way Curse". The pacing was slow, and there were long stretches of uneventful dialogue that didn't add anything to the story. The plot itself was also uninteresting and predictable. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but it never did. This book just didn't engage me at all.
3. David - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy "My Way Curse" due to its cliche and uninspired writing. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, and the characters lacked depth. The story itself was predictable, and I quickly lost interest. I was hoping for a unique and captivating read, but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations.
4. Emily - 1 star - "My Way Curse" was a complete letdown for me. The plot was convoluted, and I had a hard time understanding what was happening. The writing was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to connect with the story and characters. I couldn't wait for it to be over, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.
5. Alex - 2 stars - I struggled to finish "My Way Curse" as it lacked any sense of originality or creativity. The storyline was dull and uninteresting, and the characters were forgettable. Additionally, the writing style was choppy and hard to follow, which further detracted from my reading experience. Overall, I was not impressed with this book and would not recommend it to others.