At the Mark Twain Prize ceremony, where some of the greatest names in comedy were honored, one would expect a night full of laughter, anecdotes, and light-hearted jokes. But little did anyone know, the night was about to take a musical turn that would leave everyone in awe.
The 2016 event was shaping up to be another memorable evening. Bill Murray, a beloved American actor known for his roles in Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day, was present, enjoying the festivities. And then, the unlikeliest of stars took the stage.
Miley Cyrus, who had carved out a reputation for her rock-infused renditions of pop classics, was about to begin a performance that no one could have predicted. She opened with Frank Sinatra’s My Way, a song synonymous with legendary swagger, but she was not about to give the audience the traditional version.
With the grand piano’s notes lingering in the air, a waltz-like rhythm carrying Sinatra’s legacy, Miley began to sing. But this was no ordinary cover. Her voice, unmistakably familiar, swayed between powerful vocal runs and cheeky asides that invited the audience into her world. The crowd, including Bill Murray, who was seated in the front, could do nothing but stand and applaud as her first verse unfolded.
The unexpected twist came in the next moment. As Miley sang, “Bill did it his way,” she added, “So am I!” The sudden shift from solemnity to explosive rock caught the room by surprise. The electric guitars broke into the scene, lifting the song into a high-energy rock anthem that had the crowd buzzing with excitement.
Miley, clad in a silver glitterball bodycon outfit, commanded the stage like a seasoned rock star. Her wild, yet controlled performance was a bold statement — one that showcased her growing legacy as a performer unafraid to push boundaries. Her pianist, looking strangely familiar yet unidentifiable, danced and spun, adding a layer of quirky surprise to the show, while synths transformed the song into something fresh, unrecognizable, and utterly unforgettable.
For those who had never witnessed Miley’s rock covers, this was a revelation. Known for her daring renditions, Miley had already racked up millions of views on YouTube for songs like Blondie’s Heart Of Glass and Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters, but this was something different. She had taken an iconic Sinatra track and made it entirely her own, adding a layer of irreverence and modern edge that Sinatra himself would likely have appreciated.
The performance went viral, amassing over 3 million views on YouTube within just days of the event. The world was left in awe, not just of Miley’s boldness but of her talent in transforming a classic song into something that resonated with a new generation. In a night full of comedic heroes, Miley Cyrus had proven, once again, that she was a force to be reckoned with.
As the final notes of My Way faded, Miley smiled, humbly accepting the standing ovation from the audience, but it was clear to everyone in the room that, in her way, she had just redefined what it meant to be a performer.