Those were the days

[Cao Xuan Thanh <m1411@mech.tottori-u.ac.jp>]

Hi,

vnsa-l> "Those were the days" was written by Paul McCartney (the Beatles)for his friend, 
vnsa-l> a diva whose name begins by M or Maria something (I read the article about this 
vnsa-l> a long time a go so couln't remember precisely).


OH, Oh , Oh, It can't be right.


vnsa-l> The song doesn't sound like "Beatles" at all. Do anyone know something more 
vnsa-l> about the song.


The story goes :
In 1968 the Beatles opened their own record company called Apple and try to 
encourage/help young , talented artists to release their works. One of Proteges of Paul 
McCartney was a girl named Mary Hopkin. AS her 1st single on the Apple label,  Paul 
decided to have her cover a tune called "those were the day". The song was composed by 2  
composers some time before. Paul only PRODUCED the single and it was huge instant success 
for both Hopkin and Paul as it went straight to No.1. Paul went on to produce a whole 
album for Hopkin named (probably ) ' Postcard'.
Recently, as the Beatles come back with the Anthology Project, Apple is putting out its 
back catalogue again , including this Hopkin's album on CD along with a compilation of 
her BEST. Unfortunately, in Japan the CD costs you 2,800 yen (about USD 25), so it's  too 
expensive, is'n it.  
However I could not find out one thing. While I can easily get the 2 names of those 
composers of "those were the days" but the question remains What nationality are they, 
when they composed the song. If you know it, pls send me the answer with my big 'THANK 
you'.

Cheers,
CX Tha`nh