Since 1998, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor has celebrated some of America’s top comedians, including Whoopi Goldberg, Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, and most recently, Kevin Hart. In 2016, Bill Murray, famed for his roles in “Groundhog Day” and “Ghostbusters,” was honored. But it was Miley Cyrus’s performance of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” that truly stole the show.
Miley’s rendition begins as a smooth ballad reminiscent of Sinatra’s 1969 classic, complete with grand piano accompaniment. Her pop-star vocal flourishes and quick-witted jokes punctuate the lines, bringing a fresh twist. Bill Murray, seated in the audience, welcomed Miley with a standing ovation and watched her performance with teary eyes.
As the first verse concluded with Miley singing, “Bill did it his way,” the mood abruptly shifted. Electric guitars roared, Miley declared, “So am I!” and the pianist, resembling Matt Lucas, burst into dance, transitioning to synths. Dressed in a sparkling silver bodycon dress, Miley’s gritty rock version was a revelation for those unfamiliar with her rock covers.
Her “Heart of Glass” cover by Blondie has garnered 180 million YouTube views in three years, her Metallica collaboration “Nothing Else Matters” has 24 million, and her take on Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” has over 7.7 million views. “My Way” is no exception, amassing over 3 million views online.
Miley joins a legacy of artists who have covered this song, including Elvis Presley, who recorded it two months before his death in 1977, Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols in 1978, and singers like Celine Dion and Kelly Clarkson.
At 23, Miley had just released her fifth album, “Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz.” Born in Franklin, Tennessee to country star Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus, Miley first gained fame as Hannah Montana before breaking free from her Disney persona with the bold 2013 album, “Bangerz.” Since then, she has continually surprised fans with her edgy, rock-infused performances.