About the song
Those Were The Days, a song that evokes a bittersweet nostalgia for simpler times. Released in 1968, it became an instant sensation, topping the charts in the UK, Canada, and several other countries. But what truly propelled this song to enduring popularity was the unique confluence of a captivating melody, introspective lyrics, and the charm of the young singer, Mary Hopkin.
Mary Hopkin was a discovery by none other than Paul McCartney. Charmed by her voice, which he described as “like a breath of fresh air,” McCartney produced Those Were The Days and launched Hopkin’s career. Interestingly, the song’s melody wasn’t originally a pop tune. It stemmed from a much older Russian folk song called “Dorogoi Dlinnoyu” (meaning “The Long Road”). Gene Raskin, a songwriter, penned new English lyrics that captured the essence of youthful idealism and the inevitable passage of time.
The song opens with a folksy charm, the gentle strum of an acoustic guitar setting the scene. Hopkin’s voice, a clear soprano with a hint of Welsh lilt, enters with a wistful quality. “Once upon a time there was a tavern, Where we used to raise a glass or two,” she sings, immediately transporting us to a shared memory of carefree camaraderie. The lyrics paint a picture of youthful revelry, of laughter echoing through the tavern, dreams spun with wide-eyed optimism. “Think of all the great things we would do,” Hopkin sings, a touch of yearning creeping into her voice. “Those were the days my friend, We thought they’d never end.”
The chorus explodes with a simple yet powerful melody, a singalong anthem for anyone who’s ever looked back on a cherished time. “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.” The optimism is infectious, yet a subtle melancholy lingers beneath the surface.
The second verse takes a poignant turn. “Then the busy years went rushing by us, We lost our starry notions on the way,” Hopkin sings. The carefree days have faded, replaced by the realities of life. “If by chance I’d see you in the tavern, We’d smile at one another and we’d say…” The chorus returns, tinged with a bittersweet acceptance. “Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days.”
Those Were The Days is more than just a catchy pop tune. It’s a universal story about the fleeting nature of youth and the power of memory. Hopkin’s heartfelt delivery and the song’s timeless melody have resonated with listeners for generations. It’s a song that makes you smile, reminisce, and perhaps even shed a tear – a testament to the enduring power of music.
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Lyrics
“Those Were The Days”
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