Mary Chapin Carpenter wrote a song (“Jubilee”) with that exact phrase:
“We’ll look back and say
Those were halcyon days,
Talkin’ 'bout Jubilee.”
“Those Were The Days” by Mary Hopkin
Yes, there is great confusion!
The Dells originally released the song Oh, What A Night in 1956 and the song was written by Marvin Junior (an original member of the group that formed in 1954) and John Funches. The song was re-released in 1969 and eventually became a million seller. The Dells were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
The songDecember, 1963 (Oh What A Night) was released in 1975 by the Four Seasons and the song was written by Bob Gaudio and J. Parker.
Completely different songs.
Regarding the OP, here are a few others that come to mind:[ul]
[li]Bob Seger - Night Moves[/li][li]Everly Brothers - Wake Up Little Susie[/li][li]Danny & the Juniors - At the Hop[/li][li]Silhouettes - Get a Job[/li][li]Brian Hyland - Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini[/li][li]Drifters - Save the Last Dance for Me[/li][/ul]
The first one was done in 1969 and the others were all #1 Billboard Songs in the period of 1957-1960.
Lots of Beach Boys songs:
- I Get Around None of the guys go steady cuz it wouldn’t be right.
- Be True to Your School Like you would to your girl.
- In My Room The teenager, in his room. What’s that under the mattress?
- I’m Bugged at My Old Man You really have to hear this paen to overwrought teenaged angst to appreciate it. The Beach Boys were having a bit of fun.
- Wouldn’t It Be Nice Maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray it might come true.
Outdated but sweet yearnings for 16-year-old girls:
- Venus in Blue Jeans
- You’re Sixteen
- Sixteen Candles
-
Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen
… and the other side of that party:
It’s My Party
Gee, but I’d give the world to see That Ooooold Gang of Miiiine . . .
Thin Lizzy - “Dancing in the Moonlight” (made doubly poignant in the acoustic Smashing Pumpkins cover)
The Smiths - “There is a light that never goes out”
The Magnetic Fields - “Young and Insane”
Beat Happening - “Indian Summer” immediately springs to mind, but one could make the point that almost all of their songs were about this very topic.
R.E.M. - “Nightswimming”
oh, and one of the ultimates -
Big Star - “In the Street” (you might know it as the theme song to “That 70’s Show” -
"Hanging out, down the street
The same old thing we did last week
Not a thing to do
But talk to you
Steal your car, and bring it down
Pick me up, we’ll drive around
Wish we had
A joint so bad…"
How about Social Distortion’s “Story of My Life”?
And the sequel, Judy’s Turn to Cry.
How about Seasons in the Sun by Terry Jacks? Sure, the narrator is dying, but before that he had joy, he had fun.
I Wanna Rock, Twisted Sister
It Takes Two, from the Broadway musical Hairspray
I Can Hear the Bells, also from Hairspray
Something’s Coming, from West Side Story
I really like the chatty style of Nickelback’s Photograph.
“And this is where I went to school
Most of the time had better things to do
Criminal record says I broke in twice
I must have done it half a dozen times”
A White Sport Coat and a Pink Carnation The four Freshmen(?)
We’ll Sing in the Sunshine Mary (of Peter, Paul and Mary)
Roundabout Yes
That’ll be the Day Buddy Holly, and others
*Your my Best Friend * Queen
Under the Boardwalk (don’t recall)
- Natural Woman* Aretha Franklin
The Coca Cola Song (I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing
A Tisket, a Tasket, Ella Fitzgerald
A White Sport Coat - Marty Robbins
We’ll Sing In The Sunshine - Gale Garnett
Under The Boardwalk - The Drifters
I added the artists so you’d be able to find them if you ever went looking.
I thought of “When I Was Young” by The Animals.
Thanks, I’m old That’s my excuse. my story and I’m stickin’ to it!
MODERATOR SPEAKETH:
Just a gentle reminder: do NOT quote entire song lyrics. You can quote a line or two and provide a link.