On March 11th 1978 French pop singer, composer, songwriter, record producer, drummer and dancer Claude Francois, also known as Cloclo, was electrocuted changing a light bulb while standing in his bathtub. He was aged just 39. This was on the eve of a scheduled US tour. He sold more than 20 million records during his career, and further 6 million since his death. He had the 1976 UK hit, “Tears On The Telephone”, which reached number 35 in the UK chart. This was his only UK hit.
François co-wrote the lyrics of “Comme d’habitude” with Jacques Revaux. Francois took his version of the song to number three in the French charts in 1967. In 1969 Paul Anka wrote English lyrics for the song and gave it the title “My Way,” which became one of Frank Sinatra’s signature songs. David Bowie said that in 1968, a year before Paul Anka acquired the French song his publisher asked him to write English lyrics for “Comme d’habitude”. His version, titled “Even A Fool Learns To Love”, was rejected. He never forgot that rejection though. This work became the starting point for his 1971 song “Life On Mars”. Chris O’Leary wrote that David Bowie felt “using “Comme d’habitude” wasn’t theft but more a statement of rightful ownership.” The phrase “Inspired by Frankie” was written next to the song in the LP liner notes of Bowie’s ‘Hunky Dory’ album.
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