Those Were The Days
Caroll O'Connor & Jean Stapleton Lyrics
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songs that made the hit parade
Guys like me we had it made
Those were the days
Didn't need no welfare state
ev'rybody pulled his weight
gee our old LaSalle ran great
Those were the days
girls were girls and men were men
Mister we could use a man like Herbert Hoover again
People seemed to be content
fifty dollars paid the rent
freaks were in a circus tent
Those were the days
Take a little Sunday spin
go to watch the Dodgers win
Have yourself a dandy day
that cost you under a fin
Hair was short and skirts were long
Kate Smith really sold a song
I don't know just what went wrong
those were the days
The lyrics to Caroll O'Connor & Jean Stapleton's song "Those Were The Days" reminisce about a seemingly simpler and happier time in the past. The song captures a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era where life appeared to be easier and more enjoyable. It harkens back to the era of Glenn Miller and the popular songs that made the hit parade, evoking a feeling of joy and contentment.
The lyrics mention how individuals like the singer had it made during those days, highlighting a sense of personal success and satisfaction. The mention of not needing a welfare state suggests a time when self-reliance and hard work were valued, and individuals took responsibility for their own well-being.
The reference to the old LaSalle running great reflects a sense of nostalgia for a time when things seemed to work effortlessly. It implies that life was simpler and more reliable back then, when even the car they owned was dependable. The lyrics also comment on the clarity of roles and identities during that era, with girls being girls and men being men. This signifies a more defined and traditional understanding of gender roles.
The mention of Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States, suggests a longing for leadership and stability in times of economic prosperity. The lyrics imply a desire for someone like Hoover, who was known for his commitment to individualism and limited government intervention, to bring about a sense of order and success.
Overall, "Those Were The Days" is an homage to a time in the past when life seemed simpler, success was attainable, and individuals took pride in their self-sufficiency and identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Boy, the way Glenn Miller played
Ah, the nostalgic memories of the way Glenn Miller used to play his music.
songs that made the hit parade
Those were the songs that made it to the top of the charts.
Guys like me we had it made
People like me, we had everything going well in our lives.
Those were the days
Those times were truly unforgettable and cherished.
Didn't need no welfare state
There was no need for government support or assistance.
ev'rybody pulled his weight
Everyone took responsibility and contributed their fair share.
gee our old LaSalle ran great
Oh, our old LaSalle car used to run perfectly.
Those were the days
Those times were truly unforgettable and cherished.
And you knew who you were then
During that period, it was easy to have a clear sense of identity.
girls were girls and men were men
Back then, females were distinctly feminine and males were distinctly masculine.
Mister we could use a man like Herbert Hoover again
In those days, we longed for a leader like Herbert Hoover to bring stability and strength.
People seemed to be content
Everyone appeared to be satisfied and happy with their lives.
fifty dollars paid the rent
The rent could be covered with just fifty dollars.
freaks were in a circus tent
Unusual or eccentric people were found in a circus, not in everyday life.
Those were the days
Those times were truly unforgettable and cherished.
Take a little Sunday spin
Go for a leisurely drive on a Sunday.
go to watch the Dodgers win
Attend a baseball game of the Dodgers and enjoy their victory.
Have yourself a dandy day
Have a fantastic and enjoyable day.
that cost you under a fin
All of this fun could be had for less than a five-dollar bill.
Hair was short and skirts were long
Men had short hair and women wore long skirts as the fashion trend.
Kate Smith really sold a song
Kate Smith truly knew how to captivate an audience with her singing.
I don't know just what went wrong
Unfortunately, it is unclear what went astray from those glorious days.
Those were the days
Those times were truly unforgettable and cherished.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLES STROUSE, LEE ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@damianperez6685
Boy, the way Glen Miller played.
Songs that made the Hit Parade.
Guys like us, we had it made.
Those were the days
Didn't need no welfare state.
Everybody pulled his weight
Gee, our old LaSalle ran great.
Those were the days
And you knew where you were then
Girls were girls and men were men.
Mister, we could use a man like Herbert Hoover again.
People seemed to be content.
Fifty dollars paid the rent.
Freaks were in a circus tent.
Those were the days
Take a little Sunday spin,
Go to watch the Dodgers win.
Have yourself a dandy day
That cost you under a fin.
Hair was short and skirts were long.
Kate Smith really sold a song.
I don't know just what went wrong
Those Were the Days
@mattburgess286
Boy, the way Glenn Miller played
songs that made the hit parade
Guys like me we had it made
Those were the days
Didn't need no welfare state
ev'rybody pulled his weight
gee our old LaSalle ran great
Those were the days
And you knew who you were then
girls were girls and men were men
Mister we could use a man like Herbert Hoover again
People seemed to be content
fifty dollars paid the rent
freaks were in a circus tent
Those were the days
Take a little Sunday spin
go to watch the Dodgers win
Have yourself a dandy day
that cost you under a fin
Hair was short and skirts were long
Kate Smith really sold a song
I don't know just what went wrong
those were the days
@rusty.ramrod
your welcome...
Lyrics
Boy, the way Glenn Miller played
songs that made the hit parade
Guys like me we had it made
Those were the days
Didn't need no welfare state
ev'rybody pulled his weight
gee our old LaSalle ran great
Those were the days
And you knew who you were then
girls were girls and men were men
Mister we could use a man like Herbert Hoover again
People seemed to be content
fifty dollars paid the rent
freaks were in a circus tent
Those were the days
Take a little Sunday spin
go to watch the Dodgers win
Have yourself a dandy day
that cost you under a fin
Hair was short and skirts were long
Kate Smith really sold a song
I don't know just what went wrong
those were the days
@chris13435
Boy, the way Glenn Miller played
songs that made the hit parade
Guys like me we had it made
Those were the days
Didn't need no welfare state
ev'rybody pulled his weight
gee our old LaSalle ran great
Those were the days
And you knew who you were then
girls were girls and men were men
Mister we could use a man like Herbert Hoover again
People seemed to be content
fifty dollars paid the rent
freaks were in a circus tent
Those were the days
Take a little Sunday spin
go to watch the Dodgers win
Have yourself a dandy day
that cost you under a fin
Hair was short and skirts were long
Kate Smith really sold a song
I don't know just what went wrong
those were the days
@denzilroland4011
For some reason, this is very nostalgic and sentimental to me... miss the simple age of TV.
@trainsntile
Agreed, Denzil, agreed!
@d.a.elliottjr.367
Like the song says, those were the days.
@musiccollector
From the Golden Age of Television.
@chill2363
REMEMBERING meat head the son inlaw 😂🤣
@invoice0001
Right! Think of how the words of that song apply to today.
@musiccollector
One of the greatest shows of ALL time! That is an understatement, in fact. I not only LOVE the theme song but also LOVE the intro and extro video of the old houses. May this iconic show live forever.
@GawgaCracka
Fact is, it's true "THOSE WERE THE DAYS"!!
@bar0326
For real
@heidimarie8179
"All in the Family." 😀 Such great memories watching this with my dad when I was a kid. This is great