70's Song a little like "Those Were the Days"

Heard on a PA and can't remember all of it. Female vocal (thick alto voice) about making the best of life. I get a mental block because "Those Were the Days" lyrics jump into my head. This one has modal folk song flavor with an fast tempo change at the end of the chorus like son Jewish, Russian, etc. folk music. Was very very popular at one time.
Please please,
Jim U

Maybe this song?

"Rose Garden" by Lynn Anderson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvJjzba7vmE

Nope. Song in question isn't a bit country. I think vocalist has sadder and more husky voice than Lynn.
Thanks for trying,
Jim U

"Look What They've Done To My Song, Ma" by The New Seekers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOHXrD9JQDc

Not "Those Were the Days" it comes close, though. Melanie has about the right thickness in her voice and the tempo is right but it's not "Look What They've Done to My Song". Good tries.
Thanks again. We'll get it sooner or later.
Jim U

"SOS" by Abba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvChjHcABPA

Not an ABBA song. The mood is too upbeat and the ABBA girls have voices that are way too sweet and clear. Remember that I said that the tempo picks up a lot during the last eight bars of the chorus very much like some of the folk dances from Russia, Greece, etc.
Thanks though,
Jim U

Reparata - Shoes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYXX_QeRj-o

Originally Posted by Olenachechel

Reparata - Shoes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYXX_QeRj-o

That'll be it then, well found.

That's a good song but it's not it. Just a bit too lively. It has the folk sound and the vocalist has almost the right sound.
Thanks, Jim U

By the way, do you recall where you heard the song? I know off of a PA, but was it in the US?

Heard it in a dentist's chair in Wisconsin. It was playing fairly quietly and I just heard enough to think, "There's a good old tune".
Jim U

"Anticipation" by Carly Simon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibSelIFBR8s

Another good guess. Not it but it has the right attitude.
Thanks,
Jim U

Also if it's no problem, do you recall what year or year range you heard the song?

Here are several guesses. Some are wild guesses, but you never know.

Carly Simon - That's The Way I Always Heard It Should Be http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHBoWTNGsU4

Carole King - It's Too Late - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNB3rTka-LI

Cher - Gypsys Tramps And Thieves http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOSZwEwl_1Q

The Carpenters - Top Of The World http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1u6628Rdqs

Barbra Streisand - The Way We Were http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNEcQS4tXgQ

Fleetwood Mac - Dreams http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEi7GPkxfsE

Linda Ronstadt - Blue Bayou http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QplmwFAuXiE

None of the above. Tell you what. Monday I'll march back to my dentist. There're five people working there who listen to oldies (including the mystery song) all day. I shall interrogate them ruthlessly and perhaps find an answer. (Imagine going to the dentist when my next appointment isn't till January. Man.)
Jim U

You could also try making a recording of yourself humming the song.
Upload the file to Zippyshare (http://www.zippyshare.com/) and post the link to the song here in this thread.

Be happy to but it will come out, "Those Were the Days" which is my whole problem. Whatever I do to remember the tune or lyrics morphs into TWTD.
Jim U

This one is vaudevillian and not very folksy but who knows, it might help to distract you enough...

Liza Minnelli - Mein Herr - Cabaret (1972)

Interesting--that's not it.
Jim U