Born June 22, 1930(1930-06… Read Full Bio ↴Roy Drusky , Birth name Roy Frank Drusky Jr.
Born June 22, 1930(1930-06-22) , Origin Atlanta, Georgia
Died September 23, 2004
Genre(s) Country Music
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, producer, actor, disc jockey
Years active 1953-2004
Label(s) Starday Records, Columbia Records, Decca Records, Mercury Records
Associated acts Eddy Arnold, Jim Reeves, Priscilla Mitchell
Roy Drusky was a country music singer who was popular from the 1960s through the early 1970s.
A native of Georgia, Roy Drusky became a popular country singer during the 1960s, known for his baritone voice. He sounded much like fellow country singer Eddy Arnold; both were known for their orchestral country songs.
Those Were The Days
Roy Drusky Lyrics
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Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
And dreamed of all the great things we would do
Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days
Then the busy years went rushing by us
We lost our starry notions on the way
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern
We'd smile at one another and we'd say
Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days
Just tonight I stood before the tavern
Nothing seemed the way it used to be
In the glass I saw a strange reflection
Was that lonely woman really me
Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days
Through the door there came familiar laughter
I saw your face and heard you call my name
Oh my friend we're older but no wiser
For in our hearts the dreams are still the same
Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days
"Those Were the Days" by Roy Drusky is a nostalgic song that reflects on the passage of time and the bittersweet memories of youth. The song opens with the reminiscence of a tavern where the singer and their friends would gather, raise their glasses, and envision a future filled with possibilities. In those carefree moments, they believed that the good times would never end, and they would live life on their own terms, fighting any obstacles that came their way. The repetition of the phrase "Those were the days" emphasizes the longing for a time when everything seemed simpler and more hopeful.
As the song progresses, the lyrics reveal that time has indeed passed, and the singer laments the loss of their youthful dreams and innocence. The "busy years" have rushed by, and the once-idealized notions have faded away. The mention of seeing an old acquaintance in the tavern implies that the singer has returned to the place of their youth, perhaps hoping to recapture some of the magic, only to find a different reality. The reflection in the glass symbolizes a lost sense of self and the realization that time has changed them.
However, just as the singer feels a sense of melancholy, the tone shifts when familiar laughter fills the air and the old friend calls out their name. Despite the passage of time, the dreams and desires that once burned in their hearts remain unchanged. The closing lines hint at the enduring spirit of the younger selves, acknowledging that while they may be older and wiser, the dreams and camaraderie of the past still hold a special place in their hearts.
Overall, "Those Were the Days" is a poignant exploration of nostalgia, regret, and the enduring memories of youth. It captures the universal longing for the carefree times of the past, while also acknowledging the inevitability of change and the resilience of dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time there was a tavern
In the past, there existed a place where people gathered to socialize
Where we used to raise a glass or two
In that place, we would often toast and enjoy drinks together
Remember how we laughed away the hours
We have fond memories of sharing laughter and passing time
And dreamed of all the great things we would do
We had ambitious dreams and aspirations for our future
Those were the days my friend
That period of time holds special significance to us
We thought they'd never end
We believed those days of happiness and joy would last forever
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We would joyfully sing and dance, feeling carefree and limitless
We'd live the life we choose
We had the confidence to live life on our own terms
We'd fight and never lose
We were determined and believed we would always come out victorious
For we were young and sure to have our way.
Because of our youth and optimism, we were certain of achieving our desires
La la la la
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days
Indeed, those moments in time were truly remarkable
Then the busy years went rushing by us
Subsequently, the years quickly passed us by as we became caught up in the busyness of life
We lost our starry notions on the way
Along the journey, we let go of our idealistic and romanticized ideas
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern
If I happened to encounter you in that same gathering place
We'd smile at one another and we'd say
We would exchange smiles and acknowledge each other's presence
Just tonight I stood before the tavern
Recently, I found myself standing in front of the familiar tavern
Nothing seemed the way it used to be
Everything appeared different and unfamiliar compared to how it once was
In the glass I saw a strange reflection
When I looked into the mirror, I saw a reflection that seemed unfamiliar
Was that lonely woman really me
I questioned if the lonely person I saw was truly myself
Through the door there came familiar laughter
From the entrance, came the sound of laughter that felt familiar
I saw your face and heard you call my name
I recognized your face and heard you calling out to me
Oh my friend we're older but no wiser
My friend, although we have aged, we haven't necessarily gained wisdom
For in our hearts the dreams are still the same
Deep within our hearts, our dreams and aspirations remain unchanged
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gene Raskin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind