Mary Hopkin – Those Were The Days

 About The Song

A Nostalgic Journey Through Time: Mary Hopkin’s “Those Were The Days”

Few songs evoke such a potent mix of bittersweetness and yearning as Mary Hopkin’s “Those Were The Days.” Released in 1968, it became an instant global sensation, topping charts and capturing hearts with its poignant reflection on lost youth and the fleeting nature of time.

But the song’s journey began far from the bright lights of stardom. Originally written by Russian-born songwriter Boris Fomin under the title “Dorogoi dlinnoyu” (“The Long Road”), it captured the melancholic longing for a simpler past prevalent in Soviet war films of the 1950s. Its melody, tinged with a bittersweet charm, resonated deeply with audiences.

In 1965, English songwriter Gene Raskin stumbled upon the song while visiting Russia. Struck by its emotional depth, he penned English lyrics that retained the original’s nostalgic essence while adding a playful innocence. He renamed it “Those Were The Days” and sent it to Paul McCartney, hoping for The Beatles’ magic touch.

McCartney, ever the keen eye for talent, recognized the song’s potential. He saw it as the perfect fit for a young Welsh singer named Mary Hopkin, who he had recently taken under his wing. With Hopkin’s crystal-clear vocals, imbued with a youthful wistfulness, and McCartney’s subtle orchestral arrangement, the song blossomed into a timeless classic.

“Those Were The Days” was an unlikely hit. A ballad about childhood memories in a pop-driven era, it defied expectations. Yet, it resonated with audiences across generations. Teenagers saw their own fleeting youth reflected in its lyrics, while adults found themselves transported back to simpler times.

The song’s success was phenomenal. It topped charts worldwide, selling over 8 million copies and earning Hopkin a Grammy nomination. It became an anthem for a generation yearning for a lost innocence, a bittersweet reminder that even the happiest moments eventually fade into the tapestry of time.

So, when you hear the opening strains of “Those Were The Days,” allow yourself to be swept away on a nostalgic journey. Let it evoke memories of scraped knees, carefree laughter, and the bittersweet pang of a time gone by. For within its melody lies a universal truth: that some moments, no matter how fleeting, leave an indelible mark on our hearts, forever reminding us of the preciousness of time and the beauty of a life well-lived.

Video

Lyrics

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 do

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
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