FIRST TIME HEARING MARY HOPKIN - THOSE WERE THE DAYS | REACTION

[@John_Chu]

This is a popular Russian song from the 1920s that was translated into English in the '50s and was a staple of folk singing groups in America. Paul McCartney saw her on a Welsh TV show and signed her to Apple Records. He produced her first two albums and was the one who suggested she sing this.

[@dwgrly]

My grandfather used to sing this (he had an amazing voice) , in Russian, my mom told me, when it came out.

[@britblue]

@@dwgrly love May's version - but this version in Russian is on a whole other level!!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJWYomR_pNRobpo

[@ejjohnstone1984]

She was on opportunity knocks and won that season. she was really young. Pure God given talent. The female commentator has never seen an English rose nothing fake about her.

[@davidcollins1154]

Mary Hopkins was discovered by Paul McCartney and she is one of the few that were allowed to use the Apple label alongside, James Taylor and Badfinger. I think this was around 1968.

[@Isleofskye]

He signed Mary Hopkin,as well:)

[@dagmar.6954]

Mary Hopkin is a Welsh singer songwriter best known for her 1968 hit "Those Were The Days". That song was produced by Paul McCartney. She was one of the first artists to be signed to The Beatles' "Apple" label. Another hit for her was "Goodbye" which was written by Paul McCartney.

[@Isleofskye]

That rarity. Someone who actually got her surname:)

[@Cashcrop54]

It is hard not to like this catchy song. Everyone can relate to it and the whole thing kind of grabs you. It is different but I have always liked it. Thanks for the reaction.

[@Lwize]

This was a huge hit in 1968. I haven't heard this song in decades.

[@patswanson2870]

She was quite young when this song was released. I think she was 18 years old. I think this was originally a Russian folk song.

[@KevinRCarr]

There is a happy poignancy in this, for me. It was a favorite song of my mother's, when I was middle school age. It always made her smile and lift her glass, and it always left her eyes moist and a little red by the time it was over. I have to admit, listening again these 5 decades later and from age 65, it leaves my eyes a little bit damp, as well. Smiling through memory's tears, so to speak.

[@scottmessenger8639]

When I was young during the late 60s and early 70s this is definitely a song that was playing often on the radio. I always thought it was from a play but I guess not?

[@davidcollver6155]

I remember hearing this as a kid I always loved it. Just a childhood memory.

[@stevefoulston]

Back in the 60's I had a Russian girlfriend she loved this song she was a ethnic Russian born in China and she is a Chinese citizens. Many of them are descendants of Cossacks. There are currently over 16,000 ethnic Russians in China. The song was made popular in Slavic countries with a mid-century recording by Romani artists Rada & Nikolai Volshaninov, and later when Paul McCartney produced Mary Hopkin’s version for Apple records in 1968. Hopkin also sang the song in Welsh and 6 more languages besides and her pure voice made her an ideal choice for this soon-to-be hit. The song charted at #1 in the U.K. in 1968 and #2 in the U.S., making it one of the few popular songs of wistful longing that evoked strong emotion across Europe and North America in almost equal measure. Have a listen to that 1968 Apple Records version sung by Mary Hopkin. Peace out.

[@Eric4471066]

This song was Mary Hopkin's debut song in America. This song peaked at the #2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart during the late summer of 1968. Yes, she was discovered by Sir Paul McCartney. And he signed her on the Beatles' new record label, Apple Records. By the way, a young James Taylor and the British group, Badfinger were also on the Beatles record label as well. A beautiful song indeed!!!

[@billclarke117]

She was still a teenager when she did this song.

[@ed.z.]

This was a song always on the radio. And people from every generation could connect with it.

[@hockemeyer1]

Dee, during the 60's and early 70s the hippie girls ironed their hair to get rid of the curl, but the other girls used tons of hair spray. They used so much hair spay that their hair felt like a sticky wire. I mean when I would be affectionate and put my hand on a girl's head, her hair would stick to my hand when I pulled away. When I was a freshman in high school, 1962, the girl who sat in front of me in science class always wore a beehive hair do. I used to torment her playing with that sticky mess of hair. I hated that hairspray hair. I stuck with hippie girls back then. Yes, I heard of her and I remember when this song was released to radio.

[@long-timemusicenthusiast2243]

When I first saw her perform this on tv, she was playing her acoustic guitar as she sang.

[@realbser1956]

This was a huge hit back in 68 for Mary Hopkins. So totally different from anything that was on the radio. That was the great thing about that era, there was all different types of “Pop” music on the radio. Today it’s very formulaic and similar sounding.

[@Russ-gy7tx]

Mary Hopkins had another song "Goodbye" written by Sir Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon, McCartney.

[@thewiseoldherper7047]

Great song that you react to one way when you’re young, and totally different when you’re older.🙂

[@kevinsattler6603]

The song got tons of air time back in the sixties remember it well.

[@Fool3SufferingFools]

Mary is still making music on her own label, Mary Hopkin Music.

[@waltw4537]

A theme back in the day. Now we old friends say this to each other when we bump into each other! Thanks!

[@wallnut6666]

Need to react to her song, "Goodbye" written and produced by Paul McCartney. Do the video of her in the studio with McCartney recording the song!

[@limperial]

I suggest you listen to Mary Hopkin's "Goodbye" written and produced by Paul McCartney

[@wpollock1]

Totally catchy melody. She is from Wales which is where Sir Tom Jones is from….go figure she has a great voice!

[@Isleofskye]

You must obey the rules,my friend. All the talent, over all fields, from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are from The UK whereas all the English talent is from England. Dem Der Rules..😀

[@paulwilson2651]

As posted this was a Russian Folk song and was brought out by both Mary and the British singer who was a star at the time Sandie Shaw but people preferred Mary's rendition and she was the one who charted with it.

[@kevincaulder20]

Chod and Dee. You mentioned the vibe reminded you of Dolly Parton. Well this is Dolly singing the tar out of a song called, THE MULE SKINNER BLUES. It is live on the show she began her career on the Porter Wagoner Show. She is wearing a yellow dress and brings this cover to ots knees. Watch and be impressed as she shows you how to git r done. You too Dee. Enjoy

[@sylvanaire]

Another song with a similar theme is, When I was Seventeen (It Was a Very Good Year) by Frank Sinatra. You want to talk about effortless singing, he was the master! He was such a star in the 40s all the way thru the 70s, a national treasure. I highly recommend him if you haven’t listened to him yet. Old Blue Eyes, lol.

[@jeffreythaw3333]

She also had a hit with Paul McCartney's "Goodbye".

[@kishka7]

Russian - Original song title is "The Longest Road"

[@FuturologyTheMusical]

This number was produced by Paul McCartney

[@kathleenswift7979]

I was 4 years old when this song came out, she was the first girl I'd seen playing guitar, I wanted one instantly, finally got one when I was 11 and taught myself😁😁 thanks Mary.

[@lead66belly]

she was 18 when she released this in 1968,

[@lead66belly]

saw her in concert around 1968 in Birmingham UK

[@abdullahbash-ayan5060]

She is no fake, she is real! and this song was # 1 for 6 weeks in the uk charts and probably (1968)worldwide and there are French and German versions by the same artist. Mary Hopkin is a Welsh singer from the U.K.

[@robertcherman]

she gets all that volume from singing from her gut. You can be taught to sing from your gut, if you feel like you are not. Take your hand and rub your stomach up and down kind of vigorously (not enough to hurt), as you sing, and you will hear a total difference in the way your voice sounds. Do this until you don't have to rub your tummy anymore.

[@Gill3D]

I remember seeing Mary Hopkin sing this on the television talent show, 'Opportunity Knocks'!

[@rjaraneta913]

"Those Were the Days" was actually from 1968. It was one of the first four singles released on Apple Records at the same time. Dolly Parton had just started her career at the year before, joining Porter Wagoner and his band, so she was not well known yet.

[@zenutopia2k708]

Good song. Seems like one that everyone in the tavern would sing along with on the chorus. Her other hit (also good) is "Goodbye" (written by Paul McCartney). Another singer with that same type of clear angelic voice was the lead singer in The Seekers (an Australian 60's band). Their big hits were "Georgy Girl", "A World Of Our Own, "I'll Never Find Another You".

[@brucedowney9164]

That is a football anthem with some changed words still sung now & again heard it not long ago at the famous CFC

[@karlstanc4444]

Guys, you say, you “got an Italian or Greek vibe in this song”… Hm… do you know why? Well, did you know that this song has been sung by dozens of singers in dozens of languages of the world?! - French, German, Italian, Polish, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, RUSSIAN…? -And, what’s the most interesting , is - that the song originally is RUSSIAN?!… For your curiosity - please, check out all the versions of this incredible Song, if you can find the all?! …And maybe do some more first time reactions to this song, and choose your favourite??… (THIS song - really deserves it, I think, do you?…) Also… did you know that there is a very DARK, African episode, connected to this song?!!… I’m telling you - this episode almost killed the beauty and innocence of this beautiful song!

[@peterd788]

Mary Hopkin says she was never a performer but a singer and she could sing.

[@billshine401]

You may have a point about being born with the talent. I believe she is Welsh and they are known for their voices.

[@UserName_no1]

This was the middle to late 60s and performances like this were repeated frequently on variety shows like the Smothers Brothers, The Dean Martin Show, and The Ed Sullivan Show to name a few. If you had a pulse they gave you a variety show back then. The first part of the decade found performers wearing suit and ties and skirts with hems below the knees. By the end of the decade it started to lax. Girls looked more like Barbie dolls. I think the genre of music you looking for is folksy or polka. Among them were the Mamas and the Pappas and Peter, Paul, and Mary. Those were the days my friends...... Uuurrrppp, 'scuse me.

[@asteverino8569]

I'm a little surprised to see this song here. That being said,I remember when it was on popular radio. A European feel. I didn't think much of it at the time but now I am 68 and I miss those days.

[@Isleofskye]

This is a Russian Folk Song from 1928.... 68 ?? That's ancient Man..... I was born in 1954 so I'm...........oh! dear!:)

[@michaelasay8587]

Love love this song!!

[@greendoor49]

lighten the mood, you two!...Rodney Carrington "Today's The Day My Wife Met My Girlfriend" (SFW)

[@dawg897]

you need the rain, just hope its not flooding because of it. be safe and thank you.

[@debjorgo]

This was number 1 in the UK. Number 2 in the US.

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

This makes me cry. Every. Damn. Time. Russian.

[@jayfoulke2903]

I remember when that song came out, those were the days my friend

[@ifyousay2]

1968 loved this .❤

[@kishka7]

This is originally a Russian song and melody

[@user-jk7ui6zl4g]

Her producer for this song was Paul McCartney.

[@jayfoulke2903]

I was a child when that song came out ..... I remember the song, but I didn't know the artist's name

[@kishka7]

A classic Russian melody

[@bwilliams463]

Try Liam Clancy's version; he sings all the verses.

[@laraismyname821]

She is new to me, but the song is not. I used to waitress at an English pub (in America) and periodically patrons would spontaneously break into this song--mostly the chorus.

[@joyglasspool7493]

Showing my age ! ...but I recall Mary Hopkins winning numerous episodes of 'Opportunity Knocks' a talent show in the UK, in late sixties...just before her connection with Paul McCartney. I think she may have won six weeks running. As for looking 'Fake'...I think the stretched footage may have something to do with it ! I do wish footage taken in different aspect ratio, were not forced to fit the screen. Her head really wasn't that wide !

[@joepowell7025]

That WAS THE FASHION IN THE SIXTIES.. No tattoos no piercings no stupidity for fashion just clean LOOKS and you say its fake ???

[@purelayermanplayer4062]

Not fake..perfect 👌

[@bradhubbard5898]

Is this the song Judith and Archie sang on All In The Family opening?

[@Kerppu68]

Yes, no

[@lawrenceadkins2924]

On the original she'd go up an octave at the end.

[@trishriley9681]

❤️

[@curiousman1672]

Not Greek.........Russian. This was translated from Russian. Huge song there, like a national anthem of sorts.

[@I-Dophler]

Its high brow music from days gone by.

[@philipsharp8250]

There's nothing Italian about it darling. She's from Wales.

[@dennislindqvist8443]

Possibly she had bleached her hair at the time but I didn't react that she would have looked "fake". Lots of hairspray maybe, but here in the north many people look like that naturally.

[@debjorgo]

"Looks fake. Must be the hairstyle." Eh..., she and Dee have the same hairstyle.

[@tinamakaneole]

❤😊

[@debjorgo]

I doubt anyone in the Beatles had heard of Dolly Parton in 1968. She was barely cracking the top 20 on the Country charts then. She did not have a hit on the pop charts until 1977. Funny though, Dolly must had thought this was her style. She covers it on her Those Were the Days album in 2005.

[@youaregodspursuit]

She still performs with her daughter...

[@Roman_Gerasimov]

This is Russian folk song translated into English

[@josbroersma7419]

Pleasereact to Sam Brown- Stop

[@trevorlsheppard7906]

Regarding Mary being fake ,singers in the 60s&70s especially ones like from the folk music genre were a lot less animated, less showey ,they let the song and their singing carry the show ,❤

[@broadband01]

she wasa paulmc cartney protege he found her

[@franckmedina3346]

Song russian

[@AndyLeMaitre]

Please, Please react to Mary singing "Plaisir d'amour," and you get to see her play her guitar, here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4i0fXqPpLWmh9E

[@Gort-Marvin0Martian]

Fake?? Really???

[@philipmorgan6048]

English actors can speak English.