"If I Were a Carpenter" is a folk song written by Tim Hardin in the 1960s, and re-recorded with commercial success by various artists including Bobby Darin, The Four Tops and Johnny Cash. [1] Hardin's own recording of the piece appeared on his 1967 album Tim Hardin 2. It was one of two songs from that release (the other being "Misty Roses") performed by Hardin at Woodstock in 1969. [2] The song, believed by some to be about male romantic insecurity, is rumored to have been inspired by his love for actress Susan Morss, as well as the construction of Hardin's recording studio (in the home of Lenny Bruce). [3] [1]
"If I Were a Carpenter" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Bobby Darin | ||||
from the album If I Were a Carpenter | ||||
B-side | "Rainin'" | |||
Released | September 1966 | |||
Genre | Folk rock [4] | |||
Length | 2:22 | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Songwriter(s) | Tim Hardin | |||
Producer(s) | Charles Koppelman, Don Rubin | |||
Bobby Darin singles chronology | ||||
|
The first notable version of "If I Were a Carpenter" was released by Bobby Darin in September 1966. [5] The song was produced by Charles Koppelman and Don Rubin at Darin's insistence. Darin played the acoustic guitar on the recording. Darin took some time to record the song in his recording session, and did not finish the recording until 7 o'clock in the morning. [6] The song was released by Atlantic Records, whose executives were reluctant to release the song until it received enthusiastic response by radio audience on the West Coast when Koppelman manage to get the song played there. [6]
The song became the biggest hit for Darin since his 1963 song " You're the Reason I'm Living", reaching No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. [7] It also peaked at No. 9 in the UK. [8] Darin's recording received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Rock and Roll Solo Vocal Performance at the 9th Annual Grammy Awards, but lost to " Eleanor Rigby" by Paul McCartney. [6]
The song is the title song of Bobby Darin's album If I Were a Carpenter, also produced by Koppelman and Rubin.
Chart (1966) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada ( CHUM Chart) [9] | 7 |
Canada Top Singles ( RPM) [10] | 8 |
Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40) [11] | 8 |
Netherlands ( Single Top 100) [12] | 7 |
New Zealand ( Listener) [13] | 8 |
UK Singles ( OCC) [14] | 9 |
"If I Were a Carpenter" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Four Tops | ||||
from the album Reach Out | ||||
B-side | "Wonderful Baby" | |||
Released | 1968 | |||
Genre | Folk, soul | |||
Length | 2:47 | |||
Label |
Motown M 1124 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Tim Hardin | |||
Producer(s) | Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier | |||
Four Tops singles chronology | ||||
|
In 1968, The Four Tops hit the Top 20 on both the pop and soul charts with their version. [15] It also reached No. 7 in the UK charts in 1968 staying in the charts for 11 weeks. [16] It reached No. 4 in the Netherlands. [17]
Cash Box said that "Excellent arrangements put a punch into the rhythmic serving, and the vocal brilliance of the quartet transforms the ballad into molten blues with monster potential." [18]
Chart (1968) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders) [19] | 12 |
Canada Top Singles ( RPM) [20] | 21 |
Ireland ( IRMA) [21] | 6 |
Netherlands ( Single Top 100) [22] | 4 |
UK Singles ( OCC) [23] | 7 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [24] | 20 |
West Germany ( Official German Charts) [25] | 34 |
"If I Were a Carpenter" | |
---|---|
Single by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash | |
B-side | "'Cause I Love You" |
Released | 1970 |
Studio | Columbia, Nashville, U.S. |
Genre | Folk, country |
Length | 3:00 |
Label | Columbia |
Songwriter(s) | Tim Hardin |
Producer(s) | Bob Johnston |
In 1970, Johnny Cash and June Carter recorded a duet of the song, which went to No. 2 on the country chart and No. 36 on pop. [26] Their recording won Cash and June a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group at the 1971 Grammy. [27]
Chart (1970) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Top Singles ( RPM) [28] | 13 |
Canada Adult Contemporary ( RPM) [29] | 11 |
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM) [30] | 1 |
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard) [31] | 9 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [32] | 36 |
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard) [33] | 2 |
"If I Were a Carpenter" | |
---|---|
Single by Robert Plant | |
from the album Fate of Nations | |
B-side | "Ship of Fools" (Live from Montreaux) "Tall Cool One" (Live from Montreaux) |
Released | December 1993 [34] |
Genre | Rock |
Length | 3:45 |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) | Tim Hardin |
Producer(s) |
|
In 1993 former Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant released a version on his studio album Fate of Nations. Plant's version reached No. 63 on the UK Singles Chart. [35]
Personnel
Charts
Chart (1993) | Peak position |
---|---|
UK Singles Chart [35] | 63 |
"Si j'étais un charpentier" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Johnny Hallyday | ||||
Released | 1966 | |||
Label | Philips | |||
Songwriter(s) | French adaptation: Long Chris | |||
Johnny Hallyday singles chronology | ||||
|
French singer Johnny Hallyday covered the song in French in 1966. His version, titled "Si j'étais un charpentier", reached No. 3 in Wallonia (French Belgium). [36]
7-inch EP Philips 437.281 BE (1966)
Chart (1966–1967) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Wallonia) [36] | 3 |