"Those Were the Days" is a nostalgic folk-pop song that became a worldwide hit in 1968. It was Welsh singer Mary Hopkin's debut single, produced by Paul McCartney. The song reflects on lost youth and features iconic "la la la" refrains. Based on a Russian romance, its English adaptation captured the spirit of the 1960s era.
The melody originates from Boris Fomin's 1920s Russian romance "Дорогой длинною". Gene Raskin later wrote English lyrics, creating a folk-pop hit popularized by Mary Hopkin in 1968 under Beatles' Apple Records.
A folk ballad popularized by Mary Hopkin, produced by Paul McCartney, blending nostalgic themes with a melody adapted from a traditional Russian romance.
Produced by Paul McCartney, Hopkin's rendition became a global hit, topping charts in the UK and US.
A nostalgic Russian romance adapted into a globally popular English-language folk ballad, immortalized by Mary Hopkin's 1968 recording under Paul McCartney's production.
