[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Mary Hopkin — Those Were The Days
Album: Those Were The Days
Avg rating:
6.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 804









Released: 1968
Length: 5:08
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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
Oh, we were young and sure did have our way

La la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la, la la la la la la la

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

La la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la, la la la la la la la

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

La la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la, la la la la la la la

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

La la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la, la la la la la la la
Comments (189)add comment
...my Oma & Opa would  play this and sing to me in Yiddish   coloradojohn wrote:
Holy smoly mackerel, Batman! What a spectacular, blind-siding blast from the past! My mother played the guitar and sang along to this
 
Love this. Reminds me of being a little girl when my family was still all together.
Hated it then and still hate it now.
Gosh. I don't believe I am hearing this on RP.  What a surprise to remember an iconic track from my childhood.
Didn't like it when it came out, and still don't like it.
Thanks RP for playing this song. My mom is a musician and used to play this in our house growing up in the 70's. I also play it occasionally and it always gets a crowd going, but I haven't actually heard it myself for 30 years. "was that lonely 'fellow'/women' really me" line.. was the only difference in lyrics in not lost in translation all this time. hence I had to register with RP and add this comment.
La la lala lala ... horrible song.
I was at the mind-blowing theater experience The Speakeasy and chosen to sit onstage with the actors at the end, and this was the rousing finish. Knowing all the words helped. 
The lead walked by me afterward and quietly said, "You're really good at this."

I remember eating my breakfast before school, this song playing on AM. Yep, those were the days. Thanks for such eliciting such memories and emotional responses, Bill. This is why RP is so awesome!


is this the long version? {#Whistle}
Gotta love the Klezmer music.
Holy smoly mackerel, Batman! What a spectacular, blind-siding blast from the past! My mother played the guitar and sang along to this
I was in Toronto when this hit the airwaves (heh) and was in an actual tavern when this came on the sound system.
First time I ever heard everybody (on their feet) belting out a song...outside a football game where the police kept you at opposite ends, that is. 
Sorry DavidS.
Timeless. Absolutely timeless.
I thought you'd played just about everything Bill. I won't think that again. Wonderful surprise.
Does this song never end??  Why doesn't the PSD button work?
 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:
I bought this 45 back in the day with my lunch money.
And I still have it.

 
You rock :o)


 TomSweetwater wrote:

Groucho...

 
Oops, someone else mentionedthat, the song is still too shrill and dated in my somewhat less than humble opinion.
I bought this 45 back in the day with my lunch money.
And I still have it.
 Sbed wrote:
Yeah, and I don't even like Celine Dion, that' how elitist I am!

Like Woody Allen said,,I don't want to be in a club that accept someone like me (or you) :(
 
Groucho...
Wonderful song.....  :-)
 
 alvarorb wrote:
make it stop. This is making me sick!

 
Don't be ridiculous. Why on earth listen to something that makes you sick? YOU make it stop. You have options, kindly allow others theirs.

I had completely forgotten this pop rendition from my early teens, but I was glad to hear it once again. Just once.
 Sbed wrote:
Yeah, and I don't even like Celine Dion, that' how elitist I am!

Like Woody Allen said,,I don't want to be in a club that accept someone like me (or you) :(
 
His Marxness sir Groucho, if you don't mind.
Yeah, and I don't even like Celine Dion, that' how elitist I am! Like Woody Allen said,,I don't want to be in a club that accept someone like me (or you) :(

Haha. 5.9!?! Bravo RP listeners. The more I see these marks, the more I'm in disbelief how elitist RP listeners that rate here generally are.
so many wonderful old songs. this was not one of them
Crap... just about spat tea all over my keyboard. That's hilarious!
 

ecomaniac wrote:
Edgar Winter Group album cover

Same cover artist? {#Cowboy}

 


Edgar Winter Group album cover

Same cover artist? {#Cowboy}
 Highlowsel wrote:
Juuust sayin' is all.
 
As opposed to what?
Kind of reminds me of Tiny Tim.....
Oh boy....I suppose one of the benefits of our modern technological era is that we can hear/see/witness again almost anything from the past you wish to explore.  And we can do this in unprecedented fashion, giving lie to memories of that which we explore.  Some things, consequently, are better left buried. 

No offense against the singer or those times, but this me thinks be one of 'em.  The lyrics are interesting.  The expression....well...did someone say AM radio?  Yeah....that about sums the delivery.  Did I mention better off buried?  Heh! 

Juuust sayin' is all.

HIghlow
American Net'Zen
 RazzCat wrote:
Holy crap! Do I ever feel old... :(

But man, those really were the days... :)

 
Right there with you RazzCat! I remember hearing this blare for a single speaker AM radio and thought it was great!

Those were, indeed, the days! 
Holy crap! Do I ever feel old... :(

But man, those really were the days... :)
 springof63 wrote:
Woo Hoo! great to hear this!!
"we're older, but no wiser" never a true-er word spoken. Where'd it all go eh? Sandy Denny next, per-chance?
aye, nostalgia's not what it used to be!

 
yeah, she didn't get older did she.....
 crazy_cat wrote:
Just thinking of corny old songs this morning!  but mine was  Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

Not the same style really, all corny though!!

 
How about the theme from the TV Batman show?
Just thinking of corny old songs this morning!  but mine was  Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

Not the same style really, all corny though!!


Blast from the past!
 
 ploba wrote:
now there's an oldie but a goodie!

 
{#Clap} Yepp!!!
 karen wrote:
Didn't like it then - still don't like it
 
Yeah, when I heard the opening notes this morning, I thought WTF? But it'll be over soon. And as long as I only hear once every 40 years or so, that's fine.
Takes me right back.  Sitting with my grandparents listening to the tiny little black and white TV.  Makes me happy to recall but sad to miss them like I do.
now there's an oldie but a goodie!
FLASHBACK - My mom loved this song and played the 45 daily in the 70's
I used to laugh at what I thought was the sillyness of this maudlin song.. remember, we were listening to the stones and Hendrix .. not I find myself wiping a tear 
Haven't heard this for a while.  Paul McCartney on mandolin. 
Wow!  This is a flashback to the "Nixonian Era".  I think my sister had this on a 45, and it somewhat frightened me.
La la la la la la,
La la la la la la,
La la la la,
la la la la la la la...

and other like gypsy-"two guitars behind the wall shot themselves together" :)

upd: or "plaintive aching"? :)

 

a large dose of happy wistful melancholy flashback. those were the days, alright.  
nice version of an old Russian folk song
at least to me I never heard the original
what say ye Russian listeners 
Woo Hoo! great to hear this!!
"we're older, but no wiser" never a true-er word spoken. Where'd it all go eh? Sandy Denny next, per-chance?
aye, nostalgia's not what it used to be!
From the movie "Innocents in Paris"
This is part of the diversity that makes Radio Paradise the musical descendant of WNEW-FM (ca. 1973).  Love it!
 karen wrote:
Didn't like it then - still don't like it

 
no need to worry. Taste is not universal. I happen to like this, hate Kathleen Edwards, so fine. we'll dance and remember things that cranked us up. We'll still be 17 in our aged bodies and we'll still love what we did when we were young. It's not a bad song if you listen to the never let go of your dreams of it.
I gave it a 7 at some point but nah, a generous 5. It grated on me decades ago; I guess I was nostalgic or something to give it that 7.
Having an All in the family flashback. Stop it please!
Well, now I am sure I remember 1968, when I was five. It stuck in my head like a virus when I was that little kid. Good times.
Didn't like it then - still don't like it
Really not understanding the hate on this one.  A Russian folk song turned into a top 10 hit.  Sorry it's not Led Zepplin or Pink Floyd.  Strangely enough there's all kinds of great music.
Awesome, Bill!  Haven't heard this in ages.{#Bounce}
I remember this song . . . those were the days.
 chasech5 wrote:
You know, that's her voice on the Vangelis Blade Runner soundtrack—-"Rachel's Theme."

 
Really?  Cool!  I love that piece — I wonder if Bill would ever consider playing it?
Wow! I remember listening to the 45 of this when I was five or six!
Only on RP!
Awesome!

You know, that's her voice on the Vangelis Blade Runner soundtrack—-"Rachel's Theme."

You know, we could use more Apple Records output on RP {#Bananajumprope}
make it stop. This is making me sick!
 spudboy wrote:
And you know who you were THEN!!!!. Girls were girls and men were men.....
 
{#Clap} Is this from a musical?  Or some kind of comedy song?
It sounds like something from 'Fiddler on the Roof' or the 'Rhoda' TV show.  
This makes me want to drink German beer in a poorly lighted beer hall and sing along with a bunch of middle aged people.  
Art_Carnage wrote:
I find it humorous that this was always sung by singers too young to have an actual past to reminisce about.
Wish I'd said that.
I find it humorous that this was always sung by singers too young to have an actual past to reminisce about.
And you know who you were THEN!!!!. Girls were girls and men were men.....
Yo, fellow listeners: Where's the harm in bringing something into the mix that falls outsided the bounds of what you expect? My guess is that it has been much more than 30 years since this impinged upon my eardrums, but it sure was immediately recognizable. When this was played, on almost exclusively AM radio, it was pretty much in the style of much of that era. Sure, it sounds dated, but that's what time does. My guess is that very little damage results from this being played occasionally here.
Reminds me of the Song of the Count from Sesame Street. (click here) Link goes to an "abridged" version. :)
Amazing voice! Couldn't think of anyone better to sing that classic. Loosen up harsh critics.
Kind of funny, though.
Yet there is something about mary
rah wrote:
i'm surprised how many negative comments there are -- what's not to like about a silly, nostalgic, drinking song?
i second that.
It's fun with beer!
A lovely one
Kerly wrote:
She looks like Jewtor (Jewel and Tori Amos together), or vice versa
Oh wow - I don't think I've heard this one since junior high school....circa 1969? 70? yeGods...
thanks, man, this seems brave, to play this, especially considering some of the comments you're getting. I loved this song when I was younger and I think I still love it!
my first reaction was "Is this RadioParadise?". My second reaction is "BOR-ING!" And I thought so back on the original....too long ago...
Make it stop! My ears are hurting....
madra wrote:
What's up with that? Was there a German version? It sounds like there could have been but I'm pretty sure he was singing it in English. Was it just wildly popular there, or is there some other cultural reference there that I didn't know?
It was just wildly popular way back when.
Huey wrote:
I'm all for eclectic, but this is overboard.
Amen to that......
She looks like Jewtor (Jewel and Tori Amos together), or vice versa
I'm all for eclectic, but this is overboard.
Anything that reminds me of Hughie Green can't be good.
Boosiewolf wrote:
OMG! Score one for the Way-Back Machine! I used to love listening to this 45 record when I was little!
When my age was in single digits, I had a cool aunt who was a teenager and her 45 of this was much played. It was deep and meaningful when I was 5. Now, it really is "naff and cheesy". I like it for the memories it conjures but I doubt I could take it for more than 1 playing every ten years.
Okay, somebody help me out here... I am having a very strong but somewhat fuzzy flashback from my year as an exchange student in Germany, back in the '80s. I remember a drunken classmate, singing this song and dancing wildly, maybe even crying a little bit. What's up with that? Was there a German version? It sounds like there could have been but I'm pretty sure he was singing it in English. Was it just wildly popular there, or is there some other cultural reference there that I didn't know?
Those were the days of cheese Once is OK, once a month too much.
Boosiewolf wrote:
OMG! Score one for the Way-Back Machine! I used to love listening to this 45 record when I was little!
Me too! Remember the sleeve it came in? With the one tear rolling down her cheek?
This neither adds nor subtracts any value to and or from Radio Paradise. What am I being sold?
Made me walk in from the kitchen, just to check! Well done Bill! Now for some Abba?
siandbeth wrote:
The only song I've ever muted while listening to RP. Bye
I'm with ya!
Xeric wrote:
Hilarious--if not surprising--rating distribution. Me, I'm leaning way off toward the right edge, there. Great old song. Good memories of singing along with my folks. . . .
sad, therefore good, in my book. To each his own, I suppose ...
The only song I've ever muted while listening to RP. Bye
Geecheeboy wrote:
A novelty song. I have always considered it a "pay-off" for Sir Paul. I wonder how he feels when he hears it these days. He probably would not want you to play it.
Not a consideration that I, personally, would give a whole lot of weight, these days. . . .
A novelty song. I have always considered it a "pay-off" for Sir Paul. I wonder how he feels when he hears it these days. He probably would not want you to play it.
WTF? This is surprise, though I'm not sure if it's welcome or not. This song is so naff and cheesy that it's maybe become cool in a retro-kitsch way, a bit like that film Plan 9 From Outer Space. What next - Dana? (No, that's not a suggestion!)
OMG! Score one for the Way-Back Machine! I used to love listening to this 45 record when I was little!
dooshu mnye razveyet ot toskee.
Hilarious--if not surprising--rating distribution. Me, I'm leaning way off toward the right edge, there. Great old song. Good memories of singing along with my folks. . . .
I think the last time I heard this was on my white General Electric clock radio, played by either Cousin Brucie or Dan Ingram on WABC-AM! God, I'm old...
It's like some sort of lost track from Fiddler on the Roof...
This song was SUCH a childhood flashback - in our mondo album collection resided a hugely overplayed (in our house) Limeliters album - they originally recorded this song - which they adapted from a 1920s Russian folk song called "Darogoi Dlimmoya" (Dear for Me). How about adding the Limeliters version, Bill? :)
70s...wedding receptions...bridesmaids in fluffy, pastel chiffon and floppy, wide-brimmed sunhats...
It must be at least thirty years since I've heard this. My parents and/or the radio must've played the hell out of this when I was young (I'm 45 now). If you play Beep Beep by the Playmates, my life will be complete.
handyrae wrote:
Funny, I always thought this was from the Fiddler on the Roof soundtrack. It would be much better as a show tune.
Hahahaaaaa, yes! That was exactly what was going through my mind when I heard this. "Was this a Yente song that didn't make the director's cut in Fiddler?"
this song reminds me of my mother... cheers Bill I miss you mum
I'm embarassed to be listening to this at work. I mean, I kind of like it, but I also think it's kind of dumb.
bluematrix wrote:
lame
yup...yawn......
Ah, I had this on 45 when I was a little girl. Loved it then, still like it now, annoying the hell out of dionysius when I sing it.
lame
Paul McCartney was impressed by her voice and recommended that she record "an American folk song" that he heard a few years earlier, "Those Were the Days." so ya'll blame him.
Funny, I always thought this was from the Fiddler on the Roof soundtrack. It would be much better as a show tune.
i've heard this done better-great song, poor interpretation
siandbeth wrote:
Some songs from this era are so depressing to me. This one ranks very high on the depresso-meter. Turning on mute button.
Agreed, for some reason this is very high on the depresso-meter. I thought this song would never end...