THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

692-Mary Hopkin-Those Were the Days.

1968-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.40.’Don’t look back in anger, I hear you say.’

‘Those Were the Days’ started out life as a ‘Russian Romance’ song called ‘Dorogoi dlinnoyu,’ literally meaning ‘By the Long Road,’ with the music written by Boris Fomin (1900-1948,) and the lyrics by the poet Konstantin Podrevsky (1888-1930.) The earliest recording of the song was probably that by the Georgian, Russian singer Tamara Tsereteli (1900-1968,) from 1925.

In the early 1960’s the American professor of architecture, Folk musician, and playwright Gene Raskin (1909-2004) who had grown up listening to different renditions of the song wrote new lyrics to the melody, and copyrighted both the music, and lyrics in his own name. Raskin and his wife Francesca were international performers and played at London’s ‘Blue Angel’ every year, closing their show with this song. Paul McCartney (see also best songs 646-599-456-319-238-218-141-107-80-51-10 and 5) had heard their rendition, and realised it’s hit potential, if he could find the right artist to fit the song.

It was the ‘Supermodel’ Twiggy (see also best songs 807,) who after seeing the Welsh singer Mary Hopkin win the British ‘ITV’ television talent show ‘Opportunity Knocks,’ who recommended her to McCartney, who produced the song on the Beatles recently set up ‘Apple Records,’ giving the label it’s first official hit (Hey Jude was also on Apple, and released earlier, but was given a Parlophone Records catalogue number.)

‘Those Were the Days’ tells the story of someone looking back on their life, and realising that they have failed to achieve what they hoped they would in their youth.

‘Remember how we laughed away the hours, think of all the great things we would do.’