Those Were The Days
Joey DeFrancesco & "Papa" John DeFrancesco Lyrics

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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.

Overall Meaning

The song "Those Were The Days" by Joey DeFrancesco & "Papa" John DeFrancesco is an ode to simpler times when life was seemingly easier and individuals had their own defined roles within society. The song begins by mentioning Glenn Miller, a famous musician in the 1940s who dominated the hit parade charts alongside his orchestra. The lyrics suggest that during this time, everything was just perfect, with individuals like the singer of the song having everything laid out for them. The mention of the past LaSalle automobile, a luxury car of the time, is indicative of this as well.

The song then goes on to highlight how no one needed any welfare, as everyone pulled their own weight. This was a time when people were self-sufficient and intrinsically motivated to provide for themselves and their families. The mention of Herbert Hoover, who was the United States President during the Great Depression in the 1930s, suggests that things were not always perfect, but the people were stronger and more determined in those times. As people are content in those days, there was a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that modern society lacks. The final verse speaks of going for a Sunday drive, watching sports games, and spending a day out costing less than five dollars. The song ends on a note of nostalgia, stating that something must have gone awry as the perfect past is no longer with us.

Line by Line Meaning

Boy, the way Glenn Miller played songs that made the hit parade.
Back in the day, Glenn Miller's music dominated the charts and was widely appreciated by everyone.

Guys like me we had it made. Those were the days.
During that period, life was much easier and simple, and we always felt carefree and happy.

Didn't need no welfare state, ev'rybody pulled his weight, gee our old LaSalle ran great. Those were the days.
In those days, everyone was self-sufficient and hardworking, and we didn't need any external assistance. Moreover, our car, LaSalle was a great vehicle that never created any problems.

And you knew who you were then, girls were girls and men were men. Mister, we could use a man like Herbert Hoover again.
During that period, there was great clarity about one's identity and gender roles. Besides, we urgently need a leader like Herbert Hoover in today's world, who can drive us back to that era.

People seemed to be content, fifty dollars paid the rent, freaks were in a circus tent. Those were the days.
At that time, people were happy with basic amenities, and even a meager sum of fifty dollars was enough to pay their rent. In contrast, unconventional people were usually found in circuses rather than in mainstream society.

Take a little Sunday spin, go to watch the Dodgers win. Have yourself a dandy day, that cost you under a fin.
On lazy Sundays, we used to go for a drive and watch the Dodgers play; spending a mere nickle would give us a fantastic day out.

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.
During that era, fashion was quite different, with short haircuts and flowy skirts in vogue. Additionally, Kate Smith ruled the music industry with her enthralling performances. It's tough to pinpoint any precise reason for the loss of such a simple and timeless way of life. Those were indeed the days!

Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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