Mary Hopkin is a Welsh singer known for her gentle voice and folk-inspired songs. She became famous in 1968 with her first single, “Those Were the Days.” The song became a worldwide hit and helped launch her career. She was also one of the first artists signed to The Beatles’ Apple Records label.
Early Life and Discovery
Mary Hopkin was born on May 3, 1950, in Pontardawe, Wales. She grew up in a Welsh-speaking family and started singing at a young age. As a teen, she joined a local folk music group and recorded a few Welsh-language songs.
She got her big break after winning a national talent show called Opportunity Knocks. One of the viewers was Twiggy, a famous British model. Impressed by Hopkin’s voice, Twiggy told Paul McCartney about her. McCartney listened—and liked what he heard.
He quickly signed Hopkin to Apple Records and took on the role of producer for her first single.
“Those Were the Days”
Mary’s debut single was “Those Were the Days,” based on a Russian folk song. The English version of the lyrics was written by Gene Raskin. Hopkin’s version of the song came out just as another singer, Sandie Shaw, released her own version. There was a bit of competition—but Mary’s version came out on top.
The single reached #1 in the UK and sold over 1.5 million copies in the U.S., where it peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Easy Listening chart. The song became one of the biggest hits of the year and made Mary Hopkin an international star.
Success with Apple Records
In 1969, Hopkin released her debut album Postcard, produced by McCartney. The album included a mix of folk, pop, and light rock songs. It reached #3 on the UK Albums Chart and #28 in the U.S. It remains her most successful album.
Her second single, “Goodbye,” also came out in 1969. Though credited to Lennon-McCartney, it was mainly written by McCartney. The song was another hit, reaching #2 in the UK, #13 on the U.S. Hot 100, and #6 on the adult contemporary chart.
In early 1970, she released “Temma Harbour,” a dreamy track written by Philamore Lincoln. It became her third UK Top 10 hit, peaking at #6. In the U.S., it reached #39 on the Hot 100 and #4 on the adult contemporary chart—her last song to enter the U.S. Top 40.
Eurovision and More Hits
In 1970, Mary Hopkin was chosen to represent the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. She sang “Knock, Knock, Who’s There?” and finished second place. The song became a hit in the UK and reached #11 on the adult contemporary chart in the U.S. when re-released in 1972.
A Turning Point
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After the peak of her career, things began to change. Apple Records started to struggle. By the mid-1970s, Hopkin’s chart presence faded. In 1976, she released her last charting single, “If You Love Me (Really Love Me),” a cover of an Édith Piaf song. It reached #32 on the UK chart.
She had married producer Tony Visconti earlier in the decade. During their marriage, her music was released under the name Mary Visconti, and Visconti produced her recordings. But the marriage didn’t last. They divorced in the early 1980s.
Later Career and Stage Work
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Though her chart career slowed down, Hopkin stayed active in music. She recorded songs with artists like David Bowie and Thin Lizzy. She also appeared in stage productions, including a 1980s performance of Rock Nativity, where she played the Virgin Mary.
In the 1990s, she toured with The Chieftains, a popular Irish folk group, and continued performing around the UK.
Later, she created her own independent music label, called Mary Hopkin Music. Through this label, she has released several albums and collections of past and new recordings.
Legacy of a Gentle Voice
Mary Hopkin’s career may not have been long at the top, but her impact was lasting. Her voice was soft, pure, and different from the louder rock sounds of the time. She stood out in a way that made people listen. Her songs, especially “Those Were the Days,” still bring a sense of nostalgia and peace to listeners today.
She showed that simple, heartfelt music could still shine in a fast-changing world—and for that, her place in music history is secure.