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If I Were a Carpenter (song)
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Wikipedia article
"'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. 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. 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).
Bobby Darin version
The first notable version of "If I Were a Carpenter" was released by Bobby Darin in October 1966. 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. 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 Koppleman manage to get the song played there.
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. It also peaked at No. 9 in the UK. 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.
The song is the title song of Bobby Darin's album 'If I Were a Carpenter', also produced by Koppelman and Rubin.
Charts
Four Tops version
In 1968, The Four Tops hit the Top 20 on both the pop and soul charts with their version. It also reached No. 7 in the UK charts in 1968 staying in the charts for 11 weeks. It reached No. 4 in the Netherlands.
Personnel
* Lead vocals by Levi Stubbs* Background vocals by Duke Fakir, Obie Benson and Lawrence Payton
* Additional background vocals by The Andantes
* Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers
Charts
Johnny Cash version
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. Their recording won Cash and June a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group at the 1971 Grammy.
Charts
Robert Plant version
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.
'Personnel'
* Robert Plant lead vocals
* Maartin Allcock mandolin
* Chris Hughes drums
* Phil Johnstone harmonium
* Charlie Jones bass guitar
* Kevin Scott MacMichael guitar
* Lynton Naiff string arrangement
'Charts'
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1993)
!Peak
position
|-
! scope="row"| UK Singles Chart
| 63
|}
Johnny Hallyday version (in French)
French singer Johnny Hallyday covered the song in French in 1966. His version, titled "'Si j'tais un charpentier'", reached No. 3 in Wallonia (French Belgium).
Track listings
'7" EP Philips 437.281 BE' (1966): A1. "Si j'tais un charpentier" 2:15
: A2. "On s'est tromp" 2:40
: B1. "Je veux te graver dans ma vie" 2:50
: B2. "La fille qui je pense" 2:57
Charts
; "Si j'tais un charpentier" / "Je veux te graver dans ma vie" / "La fille qui je pense"Other versions
* In 1969, Yugoslav band Crveni Koralji released a Serbo-Croatian version, entitled "Da sam drvosjea", on their EP 'Sam', the song becoming a nationwide hit for the band.
*In 1972, a cover by Bob Seger reached No. 76 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100. The single was released from his album 'Smokin' O.P.'s'.
*In 1974, Leon Russell released a version with a funk tempo and his own rewritten lyrics from the perspective of a "rock star". His single reached No. 73 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 and was included on his album 'Stop All That Jazz'.
References
Category:Songs about occupations
Category:1966 songs
Category:1966 singles
Category:1968 singles
Category:1970 singles
Category:1972 singles
Category:Songs written by Tim Hardin
Category:Tim Hardin songs
Category:Johnny Hallyday songs
Category:Burl Ives songs
Category:Bob Seger songs
Category:Bobby Darin songs
Category:Johnny Cash songs
Category:June Carter Cash songs
Category:Andy Kim songs
Category:Four Tops songs
Category:Leif Garrett songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Brian Holland
Category:Song recordings produced by Lamont Dozier
Category:Philips Records singles
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