In my recent article about the book What You’re Really Meant To Do, I asked readers to write new lyrics for the songs I did it my way and I gotta be me. One reader, John Ross, did so excellently as follows below:

John Reed has an entertaining review of Robert Kaplan's self-help book, in which he contrasts Mr. Kaplan's "plays well with others" persona with his own. Reed suggested someone rewrite Frank Sinatra's "My Way" and Sammy Davis jr.'s "I Gotta Be Me" to better reflect Kaplan's sensibilities. I spent about 15 minutes and did just that. Lyrics are below.

Their Way
Lyrics by John Ross, with inspiration by John T. Reed and apologies to Frank Sinatra

And now, the end is here
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state the case, of which they’re certain
I've lived a life that's full
Trav’ling up the corporate stairway
And always, yes, every time, I did it their way

Promotions, I've blown a few
But then again, too few to mention
I put the kneepads on, and followed through, without exemption
I climbed each higher step, a careful path across the minefield
And joked, amidst it all, like Jerry Seinfeld

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When they gave me toxic stew
But through it all, when they might frown
I ate it up and drank it down
I faced them all, and ate it all, and did it their way

I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so unamusing
To think I did all that
As I climbed the corporate stairway,
"Oh, yes, that’s me alright, I did it their way"

For what of me, when was I wrong?
To smile and nod, to get along
To say the things they had to hear and show them just a touch of fear
My resumé proves I made the moves and did it their way!

[instrumental]

Yes, it was their way

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I’ve Gotta Fit In
Lyrics by John Ross with inspiration by John T. Reed and apologies to Sammy Davis jr.

Don’t know if I'm right or if I am wrong
When I do what it takes in this world to just get along
I gotta fit in, I've gotta fit in
What else can I do with what I am?

I want to survive, not get beaten up
And I’ll do what it takes
And try to keep my chin up
I gotta fit in, I’ve gotta fit in
The pics on my desk tell you who I am

That far-away prize, gold watch for my wrist
Is waiting for me if I buckle down
My cubicle’s safe, a pen in my fist
File this report with no hint of a frown

I'll suffer alone, that's how it must be
I gotta be right for everyone else
That’s the way it must be
I gotta fit in, I've gotta fit in
Sometimes I cry, do it ‘til I die
I've gotta fit in

I'll suffer alone, that's how it must be
I gotta be right for everyone else
That’s the way it must be
I gotta fit in, I've gotta fit in
Sometimes I cry, do it ‘til I die
I've gotta fit in

http://www.johntreed.com/What-You're-Really-Meant-To-Do.html

John T. Reed