Engelbert Humperdinck - "Those Were The Days" 1971

[mahmoudmms]

I read that Engelbert recorded this song in 1967 and released it in his album "The last waltz"... This means that he covered this song before Mary Hopkins did...

Anyway, I like this song by both singers and both did a great job singing one of the greatest songs ever

[humpyfan]

@mahmoudmms I did not state a definite recording date. I am taken an educated guess. I am sure of one thing though, It was never released on the U.S. (Parrot) or the U.K. (Decca) version of "The Last Waltz" LP. It did however appear on the 1988 German CD release of "The Last Waltz" as a BONUS track. So you could be right as far as being recorded in '67. In '88 and '89 Germany released Enge's first 5 LPs on CD and they all included bonus tracks that did not appear on the original LPs.

[04279]

Marys version, by the way, is not the original. The Limeliters (Gene Raskins band, the man, who wrote the lyrics and the arrangement) sang it already in 1962 and this is the original.

And the very original is the russian song "Dorogoj dlinnoyu" by Alexandr Vertinsky (Boris Fomin/Konstantin Podrevskij)

[humpyfan]

@04279 Mary had the hit and as far as I'm concerned, The hit IS the original. I know it is an old russian melody. Just like Elvis' "It's Now Or Never" and "Surrender" are both classic italian songs but Elvis took them both to #1. Mary Hopkin's version of "TWTD" is the definite recording as that's the version that sold the song AND was recorded by her in several different languages AND went to #1 ALL OVER THE WORLD!!! You ask anyone who did "TWTD" and the answer will always be Mary Hopkin. Thanx

[04279]

@humpyfan Mary had the big hit, that's right and everyone who names "Those were the days" would talk about Mary Hopkin (me too, I like her cover too) but she has performed it 6 years after these lyrics were recorded the first time, they were recorded by Gene Raskins Band "The Limeliters". That wasn't a hit, but that's another story.

And I don't blame anyone who is singing cover versions. Engelberts version is a nice one too.

[vilmad007]

Thanks for this song, loved it just like I do every other Enge song. Trying to find a song I remember my husband singing a long time ago. It goes like this "Lately I've been hearing rumours that you found somebody new. Though we called it quits long ago you know I"m still in love with you."... and ends with "while I'm holding your memory, he's holding you"..... Neither my husband nor I can remember more words nor the title, but the tune is in our heads. Can you help? Thanks.

[humpyfan]

Hi vilmad, The song is called, I'm Holding Your Memory (but he's holding you). It appears as the last track on side 2 from the "Another Time, Another Place" LP (same LP "There's An Island" is from) I will be glad to post it for you later today. It'll be my first post of the new year. Happy New Year!!

[totallyamazing36]

Another great find! Love this catchy tune. I think I'll just sit here at stare at this gorgeous album cover all day, and dream!!LOL!

Thanks CJ,

Marilyn