About The Song
Those Were the Days” is a folk-pop song performed by Mary Hopkin. Released in 1968, the song became an international hit and remains one of Hopkin’s most well-known recordings. Here are some details about the song:
Title: Those Were the Days
Artist: Mary Hopkin
Release Date: August 1968
Album: Postcard
Label: Apple Records
Writer: Gene Raskin (English lyrics), Boris Fomin (music)
Genre: Folk Pop
Background: “Those Were the Days” is an English-language adaptation of a Russian romance song titled “Dorogoi dlinnoyu” (“Дорогой длинною”), composed by Boris Fomin with lyrics by Gene Raskin. Mary Hopkin’s version was produced by Paul McCartney and became one of the early releases on The Beatles’ Apple Records label. The song reminisces about the past and captures a sense of nostalgia.
Musical Style: The song features a folk-pop arrangement with acoustic guitar, accordion, and orchestral elements. Mary Hopkin’s clear and evocative vocals give the song a wistful and timeless quality. The melody, combined with the nostalgic lyrics, contributes to the overall sentimentality of the piece.
Chart Performance: “Those Were the Days” was a massive commercial success, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. It achieved chart success in numerous other countries, solidifying Mary Hopkin’s status as a prominent folk-pop artist.
Legacy: The song is often regarded as Mary Hopkin’s signature piece and is associated with the late 1960s folk-pop music scene. Its widespread popularity has led to continued recognition and appreciation over the years.
Cultural Impact: “Those Were the Days” has been covered by various artists and has been used in films, TV shows, and commercials. Its enduring popularity has made it a cultural touchstone for capturing the sentimentality of looking back on the past.
Awards: While the song did not receive major music awards, its chart-topping success and enduring appeal have solidified its place as a classic in the folk-pop genre.
“Those Were the Days” remains a nostalgic and timeless song, capturing the essence of a bygone era. Mary Hopkin’s emotive delivery and the song’s universal theme of reminiscence have contributed to its enduring popularity and status as a classic in the folk-pop genre.
Video
Lyrics
“Those Were The Days”
Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
Think of all the great things we would doThose were the days, my friend
We thought they’d never end
We’d sing and dance forever and a day
We’d live the life we choose
We’d fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way
Then the busy years went rushing by us
We lost our starry notions on the way
If by chance I’d see you in the tavern
We’d smile at one another and we’d say
Those were the days my friend
We thought they’d never end
We’d sing and dance forever and a day
We’d live the life we choose
We’d fight and never lose
Those were the days
Oh, yes, those were the days
Just tonight I stood before the tavern
Nothing seemed the way it used to be
In the glass I saw a strange reflection
Was that lonely woman really me
Those were the days my friend
We thought they’d never end
We’d sing and dance forever and a day
We’d live the life we choose
We’d fight and never lose
Those were the days
Oh, yes, those were the days
Through the door there came familiar laughter
I saw your face and heard you call my name
Oh my friend we’re older but no wiser
For in our hearts the dreams are still the same
Those were the days my friend
We thought they’d never end
We’d sing and dance forever and a day
We’d live the life we choose
We’d fight and never lose
Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days