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Mary Hopkin

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Mary Hopkin was born in 1950 in Pontardawe in Wales, into a Welsh-speaking family. She took singing lessons and began as a folk singer with a local group, the Selby Set and Mary. She recorded an EP of Welsh songs for the label Cambrian before signing with Apple Records, the Beatles' label. She was one of the first artists that Apple signed.

Music and breakthrough

Paul McCartney produced her debut single Those Were the Days, which was released in August 1968 and reached number one in Great Britain. In the United States the record reached number two. Her debut album Post Card was released in February 1969, with songs by Donovan, George Martin and Harry Nilsson. The album reached number three in the British chart. The single Goodbye, written by McCartney, reached number two. Temma Harbour followed and, in 1970, Knock, Knock Who's There?, with which she represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest and came second. Think About Your Children was her last big hit in 1970.

Influence

Hopkin wanted to return to her folk roots and felt that she did so on Earth Song/Ocean Song from 1971, produced by Tony Visconti, whom she married. She has continued to release albums ever since, including Spirit in 1989 and Painting by Numbers in 2014. Her clear, restrained voice made her one of the gentle voices of the late 1960s, an example of what Apple also wanted to offer besides the Beatles.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Those Were the Days and notice her voice: how clear and restrained she sings, and how does the accompaniment change as the song goes on?

Discography

Studio albums

See also

Categories: Artists