I never thought i’d actually say this but i’ve been enjoying being dropped off, being picked up and mostly just cruising around in public transport. It’s not bad really. Once the metro has a few more stations up and running, i could pretty much cover up the convertible for the summer and hop along my merry way from station to station.

This morning, I drove in to work (unfortunately) but giving me surprisingly pleasant company was entertaining radio. It seemed odd at first, but on 99.3 they were playing an original 1968 track called ‘Those were the days’ by Mary Hopkins. It was on a show called time machine (or something sounding like that). I can’t stop humming it now, but thats besides the point. I did some trotting around and found a few interesting renditions of what was originally a russian folk song. So pay attention, here goes…

The tune of “Those were the Days” is originally credited to the russian song “Dorogoi dlinnoyu” (Lit by the long road”) written by Boris Fomin with words by the poet Konstantin Podrevskii.

The tune however is best remembered for Mary Hopkin’s 1968 recording, which was a top-ten hit in both the U.S. and the U.K.

In 2005, Dolly Parton released a cover of “Those Were the Days,” which featured backing vocals by Mary Hopkin. I couldn’t find a video for this one but am curious to hear what a country rendition of the track would sound like. Let me know if you find it somewhere.

All said and done, the most outstanding rendition in my books has got to be the one by the Leningrad Cowboys and the Red Russian Army choir. (i am infinitely intrigued by this bunch and i must dedicate an entire post to them sometime this weekend). This is their cover (music video) followed by the live performance which is just so awesome at so many levels!!!!!!! It’s a must watch!

So on that note, you remember those never ending days my friends and i’m going to try and sneak out of my cub hole and make it back to my desk.

Next Post: The Leningrad Cowboys and their secret to a long lasting stiffy.