The older I get the more this song speaks to me.

The older you get (I'm 76) the more sweet tears you shed over this song...I want it played at my memorial service...

It is a Russian Folksong. Goosebumps. It is a song of the human desire that is basic in all humans .. no matter what race or nationallity

This song takes me right back to when I was a 7-year-old... Those were the days!

Her voice is so Angelic, always loved this song.! Can't sing a song like this today.

As I get older... this song strikes chords previously unknown... thank you....

I remember watching this on our black & white TV. Yep, I'm that old. You can definitely feel the Russian folk song in the polka style.

1968 was the high point of young people having dreams of endless possibilities. Some of us from that era still have the same dreams in our hearts.

Those really were the days...when she sang that...and the decade around that date. These are too though...but these times could stand to be groovier and kinder, and less indentured to bullies.

Every time I hear this song, it takes me to my time stationed in Germany. I actually lived at a Gasthaus in a local village. The owners treated me like a son and invited me to share the holidays with their families as well. It was a wonderful time and I’m thankful that I got a chance to experience something 99% of Americans will never have. Prost(Cheers)

Oh my friend we’re older but no wiser, for in our hearts our dreams are still the same. I have always loved this song… But the older I get the more I really relate to it.

One of the sweetest songs i also came across to during the internet days. And the artist also so different by today's standards. 60's were considered the years that revolutionized the world. And still during those years you could find traces of the world that it was. Even the words "those were the days" are taking you to places! Cheers!

This was my mom's favorite song!

Oh Royce, I've been humming this song since my childhood when it first came out. I can't sing well, but this song has such a wonderful catchy tune, that it still makes me happy to this day. I already know I won't be able to get it out of my head for quite some time after hearing it now. This made my evening, and seeing your reaction made me want to get up and twirl around the room while watching this.

Whenever I hear this one released in August of 1968 I think of another song, by another singer. Marianne Faithful released a song called "As Tears Go By" back in June of 1964. It too is melancholy.

This was one of my mothers’ favorite songs. It speaks to me, more and more, the older I get.

The following is from Wikipedia regarding the instruments giving the song its Russian sound: The Russian origin of the melody was accentuated by an instrumentation that was unusual for a top-ten pop record, including balalaika, clarinet, hammered dulcimer or cimbalom, tenor banjo and children's chorus, giving a klezmer feel to the song. Mary Hopkin played acoustic guitar on the recording, and Paul McCartney also played acoustic guitar and possibly percussion. The cimbalom was played by Gilbert Webster.

A tear in my eye for times long past and yes those were the days my friend they were indeed.

You have that wonderful voice to be on radio that’s not taking away from your absolutely gorgeous face and your calm, lively friendly demeanour..

The song that evokes the most similar feelings as this one, to me, is "Seasons in the Sun" by Terry Jacks. They're both upbeat on the surface, but there's an underlying melancholy and sadness that hits me hard.

Man I listened to this a ton when first released. Mary did a wonderful job on it. The original was a pretty long song back in the day. I even remember where I was when it was released (Calgary, AB) that's memorable it is. The lyrics back then had much meaning as well. Thx RR, great reaction. Those were the days...

Life was great in the 60,s & 70,s

This record was produced by Paul McCartney after Mary Hopkins won the TV talent show "Opportunity Knocks" in 1968 with "Turn, Turn, Turn". The winner was decided by a postal vote. She performed it again on the "All Winners Show", playing a guitar given to her by George Harrison.

Mary Hopkin also had another great hit in 1969 with - Goodbye.

With my little brother and sister under the table (and no on knew :). And the family drinking, talking, having fun (and uncles slipping an occasional cheese an cookies) And this song playing. Those were indeed the days. Sadly missed.

Wow... first Petula and now my other crush Mary. This song always touches my heart and I always think how odd such a young lady is singing this song. I am 70 plus now (Mary's age) and I know how true these words are now: "in our hearts the dreams are still the same". Listen to her more recent acoustic version where she is much older. Wow, that will get you. Thank you RougeRxyce

Mary Hopkin came to fame after winning an English talent show called Opportunity Knocks. The winner of this show came back the following week to try and win it again. My recollection is that Mary won it several times with the song Turn, Turn, Turn and it really was a beautiful and haunting rendition, with simple guitar playing too. I would really recommend anyone to seek it out on KZfaq.

I remember listening to this on the A.M. radio about once an hour.

I was one that was "young and sure to have my way" when this came out. It was an added element to know that we would reminisce about those days and this song when we were older.

I first heard this song sometime in the late 1960's. I was around 6 years old. What I do remember is that the song sounded "old time." My parents loved the song. I didn't understand the meaning of this song as a kid, but now it brings back memories of my younger days.

She was discovered by Paul McCartney, and signed to the Beatles Apple label. It is said her career was ruined by her father insisting a large percentage of her recordings were in Welsh!

Oh, you’ve got my heart welling up with this one. I was in 9th grade when they were playing this on the radio. My mom immediately fell in love with it, and it became her lifelong favorite song. At weddings, or wherever, she would always ask the band if they could play it. She absolutely adores it. She is now 98 years old, at the moment recovering from a fall and on this long-distance daughter’s mind nonstop. Seeing you had “her song” up today made me teary-eyed with happy nostalgia. I so enjoyed watching that first hearing have a similar effect on you as it did on her! I always look forward to your videos. Thanks for the smiles.

I remember that song. I have to say THOSE WERE THE DAYS!!! Mary was soo beautiful. 💞💗💜🖤💛💚❣💟💙💘💜💓

Amazing. I heard that song on the radio in 1968, and haven't heard it since. Until now...

Although this is a Russian folk song it is so relatable to my teenage/early 20s years spent in the pub laughing planning days out Then going back to the same pub some 30 years later and meeting your old drinking pals still talking the same things but now have have nothing in common just a recollection of what was

She also had a small hit with a song called Goodbye written by Paul McCartney.

It's fun and fascinating to hear the melodies, the fashion, the hair...everything. Hats off to the person steering this channel towards these early songs.

Mary Hopkin retired early from singing. Becos she was only offered what she thought were Pop songs. She wanted to switch to more serious music. And her management at the time wouldn’t allow it. The music industry was male dominated in management in the 60’s and 70’s. Women did not get choices about their creative direction. So she retired and married the famous music producer Tony Visconti.

This song makes me feel like I'm an Englishman drinking some glasses of beer in an English pub and I'm Asian lol

This songs means more and more to me the older i get. Such a 'simple' song, but quite complex in its depth.

This was her only hit in the States, always liked her sound.

If this song, with her voice, does not send shrivers down your spine, then you cant be human. It bellows the emotion of the Russian experience.

Another song along the time of Petula Clark. I loved this when I first heard it while visiting Ireland as a teenager. Ahh!

A lovely song sung by a lovely lady and now another lovely lady reacting to it.

I was 16 when it came out and loved it so much ❤

WHAT A VOICE PAUL MCARTNEY DISCOVERED HER, SHES FROM WALES IN UK, HAD A COUPLE MORE HITS

I was born 4 years after this came out. This is more relatable to me now because I can look back on my own life and remember those days of my youth.

Excellent song. Mary was on The Beatles APPLE record label. This song produced by Paul McCartney also went to #1 here in Canada. Peaked at #2 in the USA. 🎼🎶🎵🇨🇦

I'm 62... BOY those were the days my friend. Where did the time go!!!!! If I could go back in time...... I would not be in a hurry to grow up! But what child doesn't want to hurry and grow up!

As you younger people say, this was a vibe. Always loved this song. Did not know about the Russian connection. Interesting.

Just went back to high school in Chicago days! Those were truly the days!!! Thanks for this Rxyce!! 😊🌹🌹

This came out when I was in first grade. All of us kids loved it.

Very impressive 460 LIKES and NO Dislikes !! :) This was sung in the late 1960s by Chelsea Football fans at matches. I shall clean it up and "THE SHED" was the massive Chelsea Home End for their many supporters............ " Those were the days my friend, We took the Stretford End We took the Kop, we took the xxxxxxx lot This is the life we choose, We'd fight and never lose , Those were the days Oh yes those were the days................:)

When I hear this song I think of the time I met the girl I would be with for 45years I will always love her even now till I die

Those Russians wrote some great folk tunes. Around the same time (1967) Another Russian folk tune became the basis for song by The Seekers - "The Carnival is Over".

I still remember very well that this wonderful noble ballad, produced by Sir Paul McCartney in 1968 on the Beatles' own record label "Apple", was still often heard on German radio in the 80s. Still touches my heart very, very strongly today. Greetings from Germany.

The more things change, the more they remain the same. In youth many of us are ambitious, and we have that drive to and confidence that we'll do great things. As we get older, and many of us settle down and have families and mellow out, we leave those dreams behind. At the same time as we get older those fiery dreams are still inside us, often coming back up when sitting down to reminisce with friends. How this song always plays out in my head, first a tavern in some small bohemian village about 1900. Young friends are gathered having drinks and enjoying music and dance, while discussing the great things they'll go on to do. As the woman ages and the tavern is still around, she's changing and it too is changing. At the same time I'm thinking of my own youth with my friends in our favorite bar discussing similar matters. As I get older, I see myself in the woman's shoes as she's getting older. I've been back to our favorite bar a couple of time over the years, and it's just not the same as it was in my youth.

I think, but could be wrong as I was a little kid, she was about 17yoa when she had the hit with this. She sang it on opportunity knocks a tv talent show, and then McCartney backeed her.. the dirty dog 😂

Another Melody of Russian Origin is which was a huge No.1 hit in 1960s was “The Carnival Is Over” by The Seekers.

This was my favorite song when I was 6 years old. It must have been top 40 in the U.S. because I heard it all the time on my pocket transistor radio. I didn't know what she looked like or even her name until about 2015 and didn't know she was welsh until watching this vid.

I’m an old man now and those definitely were the days, Recently I saw the Pub where those days happened but it’s no longer there as it was it’s now a fast food place, But the shape of the building still has echoes of those far off younger days that I miss so much, Thank you for this old man’s memories being revived and they truly were the days.

this is my favorite song, thank you for your reaction.

I haven't heard this song in more years than I can say. But as soon as I read the title the whole thing came back to me. Great song;; great reaction. Thanks.

This song has been in so many movies in one form or another. It can easily become an earworm. :) you should check out Judy Collins.

Nice song, I remember when I was a little boy ❤️👌👍🎧🎤🎸

I was 10 years old when this song came out. It was fun to sing it as a kid. As the years go it's still fun to sing but nowadays it takes on a more meaningful tone.

I love Mary Hopkin (way before my time but fantastic all the same - she couldn't half belt them out).

I remember this song on the radio.Great times.

At the time this came out, I was also young and sure to have my way, heedless that these were the golden days, and life would bring many fights that I would lose ... now I listen and weep! Are these the truest lyrics ever written? Thanks though, you've got me wallowing in nostalgia and toasting absent friends.

I'm 72 years old now, and I would give it scares me to think what to go back to 1969. 1965-1975, what a great time time to be young in America, if you had the courage to walk the walk.

I remember this being played on the school bus almost every morning when this was first released, the weird thing was...It always came on about ten minutes into the journey.

I was 16yrs old when the song came out loved it played it all the time so many different songs back then

My God I haven't heard this in YEARS

I was a teen in the 60's and the amount of magic songs was literally bursting at the seams, these days I go to a store with piped current music and the majority of it is invasive mental torture. Thank goodness for KZfaq music is all I can say about that.

Mary was from Wales. The Welsh are known for their singing!

You might be interested in the fact that she is Welsh. Listen to Goodbye, produced and written by a short fling guy named Paul McCartney.

The 2nd verse is missing from this performance: "Then the busy years went rushing by us. We lost our starry notions on the way. If, by chance, I'd see you in the tavern, we'd smile at one another & we'd say...".

well I think she was miming along with her own record for the TV show because otherwise back then they couldn't get a good enough sound played live. It was quite common back in the 60s. Today the technology to capture a live performance is a lot better.

I was born in 68 and still one of my favorites!

What makes this song last is the nostalgia.

This Welsh lass was just 18 at the time. She followed up with an original McCartney song, "Goodbye," which had a similar nostalgic, sentimental sound and was a hit as well (though not as big).

Oh My Goodness this brouhgt back sooooo many memories from my childhood! My dad would play this song in the car on 8 track and my sister and I would sing loudly in the back as we drove to Florida, or the cottage, or wherever!!! THOOOOSE WERE THE DAYS MY FRIENDS !!!

Produced by Paul McCartney of The Beatles=Instant Hit :)

Yes, those were days and they were good days too with many many happy memories.

I liked this song the first time I heard it October 1968

takes me back to the 1960s, I have been waiting for someone to react to Mary Hopkin. The Tune may have been Russian but the Voice was Marys, Thanks very much for your reaction I loved it.

Yes another fine singer from Wales, land of song. A sweet young woman. From Wales, of course there's Tom Jones, but also diva Shirley Bassey, opera singer Bryn Terfel (maybe try him singing the soft Welsh song Ar Hyd y Nos)... male voice choirs (e.g Morriston Orpheus choir singing Myfanwy). and the crowds singing at Wales rugby matches. Do try 2 choirs on Britain's Got Talent: Cor Glanaethwy (Benedictus, heavenly) and Only Boys Aloud (Calon Lan).

It is so strange and even a little funny to hear the famous Russian romance ''We Rode on a Troika with Bells'' (Ехали на тройке с бубенцами) in English! But she sang well.

You're right! All voice teachers I know say never sit while singing - ALWAYS STAND!

High-brow music from days gone by.

Thank You Macca for this one as well

This is actually a remake of a Russian Folk song which is actually played a bit faster tempo than this version and it is still a haunting song. It was written in 1924. The same year that Mary recorded this the at the time bigger star Sandy Shaw released this too but it was Mary's version that became the hit.

Fun fact - this Lennon / McCartney produced song knocked their own "Hey Jude" off the top spot in the UK top 40.

Her song Goodbye was also very beautiful.

A great song - especially if your friends are scattered and the wind is getting cold .

I was 20 years old at my favorite Club/Pub and remember thinking seriously about the words, time, life and the human condition.

A lovely song from a lovely Welsh girl. If you enjoyed this one, I would recommend you listen to, 'For all my days', which was used in a 1971 film called Kidnapped. 👍

Just love your reaction. Mary's voice is so pure, and she is so young and sweet. So wonderful to hear this one again!

This immortel angleSONG shake my hal world like that&never forget it as long as I LIVE.

I was 13 then, and loved hearing this sng back in the day and still love it.