The DARK side of 'Those Were the Days'

"Those Were the Days" is an all-time classic that certainly has stood the test of time, with a history of success that spans over half a century. Not only is it a beautiful song we love and cherish, but it has been used on several occasions ranging from advertisements to the Republic of Ireland’s football chant: “Come on you boys in Green”. However, this classic has also taken part in a much darker historical episode, which is what we are diving into in this video. First though, to not disrespect this gem, let’s take a quick look at the origin of the song.

#music #thosewerethedays #maryhopkin

[Name-psfx]

I will never allow a murderous, insane dictator to ruin a great song. It makes a great song of remembrance to the victims! 🕯

[georgemuncie]

Just Because the Song Was played During an Execution Does not Mean its Cursed Or Has any Dark side to it.

[pashadwantara]

I remember it well when I heard the song through loudspeakers at Malabo Stadium during Christmas Eve in 1969. People dressed up as Santa Claus too at that time. Those were the days…

[jmrodas]

No sé porqué mucha gente trata de encontrar el lado oscuro de las cosas. Si vemos las cosas con ojos propensos a ver cosas malas, claro que las encontraremos. Pero eso es culpa de nosotros, no de la canción. Y que haya sido usada por un tirano para cometer atrocidades, no le quita su belleza y la de su mensaje.

[DonTruman]

I wouldn't say that taints the song at all, it's just a story of a horrifically evil dictator.

[thomaskember]

In my mind I couple this song with the Irish song The Kerry Dancing. Both talk about looking back at younger times and how quickly they go. Strangely, they both mention days in their opening lines but what they’re singing about happens at night.

[Wireman]

This has nothing to with the song. It is about a evil murderer with no relationship to this beautiful song.

[cooks]

Funny how this video never bothers to mention the original writer of the song Boris Fomin and just mentions the patent troll, who stole the song, copyrighted it as his own and lived off the royalties.

[sycamoreknox]

1 January 1924 – 29 September 1979, Francisco Macías Nguema

[deusvultpictures]

Apparently this is Teodoro Obiang’s favourite song

[davidfrank]

ah remembering all the crushed hopes and dreams of childhood, a life wasted, is so uplifting!!

[BernardGreenberg]

This story does not deserve to be told. In no way do the actions of an African tyrant reflect upon the greatness, beauty, and joy that Fomin et al., Raskin, Mc Cartney and, of course, Mary Hopkin brought to millions all over the world over almost 60 years now. The African story deserves to be buried and not linked to this beautiful song and its history.

[gamalzaki]

I’ve been loved that song and still sing it it’s one of the best evertime

[stevosd]

Not all so .. Mary Hopkin sang this song on a TV talent show run by Hughie Green called Opportunity Knocks and she won it.. singing this song. It was Twiggy who told Paul McCartney and they released it on the Apple label.

[marleneslattery]

If u didnt want to ruin the song why share it

[ricklozada]

the song had nothing to do with the decision of the leader to execute those people.

[Filosofía_De_Los_Tigres]

Nah that’s how I found the song. It’s my favorite

[VaraviksneD]

what a nice Russian composer Boris Fomin song!!!! somebody just wrote an English version and that's it.

[LegoCollector]

I also support all the people who would say "We'd Fight and Never Lose in all life challenges" 🙂

[douglasparise]

It's a nice song. I sing it often. In fact I sang it in a convenience store yesterday