Since its inception in 1998, the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor has honored numerous legendary American comedians, including Whoopi Goldberg, Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, and most recently, Kevin Hart. Bill Murray, the actor famous for *Ghostbusters* and *Groundhog Day*, was present at the 2016 ceremony. When Miley Cyrus kicked off the event with a performance of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” no one could have anticipated the extraordinary caliber of her rendition.
Similar to Sinatra’s 1969 classic, Miley’s version began with a grand piano, a waltz-like rhythm, and her signature vocal flourishes, with clever asides woven throughout the lyrics. Seated in the audience, Bill Murray stood up to give Miley a standing ovation, visibly moved with tears in his eyes as he watched her sing the first verse.
As Miley neared the end of the first line of her cover, “Bill did it his way,” she playfully added, “So am I!” At that moment, the mood shifted, as a burst of electric guitars broke the song’s solemn tone. Her pianist—who eerily resembled a disguised Matt Lucas—joined in, dancing enthusiastically and incorporating synths into Miley’s rock-infused arrangement.
For those unfamiliar with Miley’s rock covers, this bold performance may come as a surprise, as she dazzled in a silver glitterball bodycon outfit. Her YouTube covers of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass,” Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters,” and Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” have garnered millions of views, and “My Way,” with over 3 million views, continues her streak of rock covers that many fans consider superior to the originals.
