In 1978, five months after Elvis Presley died, a certain song recorded by Elvis sold a million copies. What was the title of this song, written by Paul Anka?

Though most famously associated with Frank Sinatra, this iconic anthem's journey to the King of Rock and Roll began with Paul Anka. In 1968, Anka adapted the melody from a French pop song, "Comme d'habitude" ("As Usual"), and wrote new English lyrics specifically for Sinatra. The song became a worldwide standard, a powerful declaration of a life lived without regrets.

During the 1970s, Elvis Presley adopted the song as an emotional staple in his live shows. His renditions were often more dramatic and vulnerable than Sinatra's, feeling like a personal testament from a man in the final chapter of his career. It was a live recording of this performance, taken from his final television special, that was released as a single shortly after his death in August 1977.

The song's reflective lyrics about facing the "final curtain" took on a poignant new meaning for his legions of grieving fans. It served as a fitting eulogy, and the public response was immense. By early 1978, just five months after his passing, this posthumous single had sold over a million copies in the United States, cementing its place as one of the most powerful final statements in music history.