What key is "Those Were The Days" in?

"Those Were The Days" by Mary Hopkin is in the key of C with a tempo of 85 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Those Were The Days" easy to play on piano?

This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.

Can I play "Those Were The Days" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

What chords are used in "Those Were The Days"?

This arrangement of "Those Were The Days" uses 14 chords: A, Am, Am6, Am7, B, B9, C, Dm, +6 more.

How long does it take to learn "Those Were The Days" on piano?

2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.

Lyrics

(Am)Once up on a (Am6)time there was a (Am6)tav ern

We (A)where we used to raise a glass or (Dm)two.

Re (Dm)mem ber how we laughed a way the (Am7)ho urs,

and (B)dreamed of all the (B9)great things we would (E)do.

Those were the (Am)days, my friend.

We thought they’d (Dm)nev er end.

We’d sing and (G)dance for (G7)ev er and a (C)day;

we’d live the (Dm)life we chose, we’d fight and (Am)nev er lose, for we were (E7)young and sure to have our (Am)way.

La la la la la la la la la (Dm)la la la those were (F7)the (E7)days, oh yes, those were the (Am)days.

(Am)Then the bus y (Am6)years went rush ing (Am6)by us.

I (A)lost our star ry no tions on the (Dm)way.

Re (Dm)If by chance I’d see you in the (Am7)tav ern,

we’d (B)smile at one an (B9)oth er and we’d (E)say.

Those were the (Am)days, my friend.

We thought they’d (Dm)nev er end.

We’d sing and (G)dance for (G7)ev er and a (C)day;

we’d live the (Dm)life we chose, we’d fight and (Am)nev er lose, for we were (E7)young and sure to have our (Am)way.

La la la la la la la la la (Dm)la la la those were (F7)the (E7)days, oh yes, those were the (Am)days.

(Am)days.

Those Were The Days by Mary Hopkin

132 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of C at 85 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Those Were The Days”

What key is "Those Were The Days" in?: "Those Were The Days" by Mary Hopkin is in the key of C with a tempo of 85 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Those Were The Days" easy to play on piano?: This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.
Can I play "Those Were The Days" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
What chords are used in "Those Were The Days"?: This arrangement of "Those Were The Days" uses 14 chords: A, Am, Am6, Am7, B, B9, C, Dm, +6 more.
How long does it take to learn "Those Were The Days" on piano?: 2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.