We have a collection of 3 arrangements for Boris Fomin - Gene Raskin - Those Were the Days
Who originally composed the melody for "Those Were the Days"? Learn!
Who's behind the notes? Discover Mary Hopkin: The Welsh Songbird Discovered by McCartney
Mary Hopkin is a Welsh singer-songwriter who gained significant fame in the late 1960s, particularly with her hit song "Those Were the Days." Here are some interesting facts about her and the song:
Discovery by Paul McCartney: Mary Hopkin was discovered by Paul McCartney of The Beatles during an appearance on the British talent show "Opportunity Knocks" in 1968. He was so impressed by her performance that he signed her to The Beatles' newly formed record label, Apple Records.
"Those Were the Days" Origins: "Those Were the Days" is a folk song that was originally a Russian romance song titled "Dorogoi dlinnoyu" (Дорогой длинною), composed by Boris Fomin with lyrics by Konstantin Podrevsky. It was translated into English by Gene Raskin and became a worldwide hit for Mary Hopkin.
Rapid Success: When "Those Were the Days" was released in 1968, it became an instant success, reaching the top of the charts in many countries, including the UK and the United States. It also sold over one million copies within weeks of its release.
Youngest Solo Female to Top the UK Chart: Mary Hopkin was only 18 years old when "Those Were the Days" reached the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart. This achievement made her the youngest solo female artist at the time to achieve a number one hit in the UK.
Beatles' Influence: While Mary Hopkin's style was distinct from The Beatles, her association with the band and their label undoubtedly contributed to her success. Paul McCartney himself played acoustic guitar on "Those Were the Days."
Follow-Up Singles: Mary Hopkin released several more singles after "Those Were the Days," including "Goodbye," which was also written by Paul McCartney. "Goodbye" reached the top ten on the charts in the UK and other countries.
Album Success: Her debut album, also titled "Those Were the Days," was released in 1968. It was a commercial success, reaching the top of the UK Albums Chart and remaining there for several weeks.
Eurovision Participation: In 1970, Mary Hopkin represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Knock, Knock Who's There?" She came in second place, which was a remarkable achievement.
Variety of Styles: Throughout her career, Mary Hopkin explored various musical styles, including folk, pop, and Celtic music. She released several albums and continued to perform live shows.
Later Career and Comeback: After taking a break from the music industry for some time, Mary Hopkin made a comeback in the 2000s. She released new albums and collaborated with her son on musical projects.
"Those Were the Days" remains an iconic song of the 1960s and continues to evoke feelings of nostalgia for many listeners.