Those Were the Days (song)
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| "Those Were the Days" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Single by Mary Hopkin | ||
| from the album Post Card | ||
| B-side(s) | "Turn, Turn, Turn" | |
| Released | 1968 | |
| Format | 7" single | |
| Genre | Pop | |
| Label | Apple | |
| Writer(s) | Gene Raskin | |
| Producer(s) | Paul McCartney | |
| Chart positions | ||
| Mary Hopkin singles chronology | ||
| "Those Were the Days" (1968) |
"Goodbye" (1969) |
|
- For other uses, see Those Were the Days (disambiguation).
"Those Were the Days" is a song credited to Gene Raskin, who put English lyrics to the Russian song Дорогой длинною ("Dorogoi dlinnoyu"), written by Boris Fomin (1900-1948) with words by the poet Konstantin Podrevskii [1]. It deals with reminiscence upon youth and romantic idealism.
The song was popularized in the early 1960s by The Limelighters, but the best known recording is by Welsh singer Mary Hopkin, released on August 30, 1968. Hopkin's recording was produced by Paul McCartney (catalogue number "APPLE 2"). Despite competition from Sandie Shaw, who released the same song as a single, Hopkin's version became a #1 hit in the UK singles chart, and reached #2 in the US.
The UK and the USA had the B-side, "Turn! Turn! Turn!",which was written by Pete Seeger (but largely taken from the book of Ecclesiastes), which had been a U.S. #1 hit for The Byrds.
The catalogue number "APPLE 2" of "Those Were the Days" was in fact the lowest catalogue number that Apple Records would use on a single release. The "APPLE 1" designation had been intended for the Beatles single "Hey Jude"; however, the Beatles remained under EMI contractual terms at the time, and although the "Hey Jude" single had an Apple label it was released as "R 5722" in line with the Parlophone numbering scheme.
In the mid 1970s, after Mary's contract with Apple ended, "Those Were the Days" and "Goodbye" were re-recorded with producer Tony Visconti. These re-recorded versions can be found on any music compilation disc because Apple never allows their original recordings to be used.
In 2005, Dolly Parton released a cover of "Those Were the Days", which featured backing vocals by Mary Hopkin.
| Preceded by "Hey Jude" by The Beatles |
UK number one single September 25 - October 30, 1968 (6 weeks) (Mary Hopkin version) |
Succeeded by "With a Little Help from My Friends" by Joe Cocker |
[edit] Cover versions
The French Version of the song, "Le Temps Des Fleurs" was popularized by International Recording Star, Dalida.
In 1968, the International Recording Star Vicky Leandros recorded the French Version "Le Temps Des Fleurs" and had a huge hit in Japan, Canada and Greece with this song.
Mary Hopkin and Sandie Shaw also sang the song in French, as well as in Italian, Spanish and German. When Hopkin's album, "Postcard" was re-released on CD, the Spanish and Italian versions of the songs appear as bonus tracks. Sandie Shaw has had all of her versions re-released on separate CD's, split up by language.
In 1968, Gigliola Cinquetti covered the song in Italian and Spanish.
In 1992, Leningrad Cowboys covered Those Were the Days on their album "We Cum From Brooklyn".
In 1994, Cara Jones covered Those Were the Days on her debut album Different Skies.
In 1994, Ground Zero (band) covered Those Were the Days on their album Plays Standards.
In 2001, Turisas covered Those Were the Days on his debut album The Heart of Turisas.
In 2004, Dayna Kurtz covered Those Were the Days on her album Beautiful Yesterday.
In 2005, although not exactly a cover, 50 Cent used an electric guitar version of the melody of "Those Were The Days" in his "When It Rains, It Pours"
In 2005, Dolly Parton covered Those Were the Days. Parton's recording featured guest vocals by Hopkin.
In 2006, "Il Folklorista" covered Those Were the Days. "Il Folklorista" is a project by Gigi D'Agostino & Luca Noise.
[edit] Trivia
The melody of the song is instantly recognizable to tens of millions of Brazilians, although most of them are probably wholly unaware of its origins or original lyrics and title; it was used for years by Brazilian TV host Silvio Santos in his Show de Calouros, a Gong Show-like talent show, with the lyrics changed to introduce the judges and host of the show.
The theme song to the TV sitcom All in the Family shares the same name as "Those Were The Days". However, that song has little else in common.
