If I Were a Carpenter (song)

"If I Were a Carpenter" is a song written by Tim Hardin. 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.[1] The song has been covered a number of times by other artists. It was partly inspired by the construction of a recording studio for Hardin, in the home of Lenny Bruce, and by his love for actress Susan Morss.[2]

"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
"Yesterday's Dreams" (1968) "If I Were a Carpenter" (1968) "Don't Let Him Take Your Love from Me" (1968)

Cover versions

• In 1966, it was a top ten hit for Bobby Darin, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.[3] It also peaked at number 9 in the UK.[4] Bobby Darin also released an album If I Were a Carpenter, which contains the song.

• In 1967 Joan Baez covered a gender-reversed version on her album Joan, initially renamed "If You Were a Carpenter" though later compilations reverted to the original title.[5]

• In 1968, The Four Tops hit the Top 20 on both the pop and soul charts with their version.[6] It also reached number 7 in the UK charts in 1968 staying in the charts for 11 weeks.[7] It reached number four in the Netherlands.[8]

• In 1970 a duet by Johnny Cash and June Carter went to number 2 on the country chart.[9]

• In 1972, a cover by Bob Seger reached number 76 on the Billboard Hot 100.[10] The single was released from his album Smokin' O.P.'s.[11]

• In 1974, Leon Russell released a version with a funk tempo and his own rewritten lyrics from the perspective of a "rock star".[12] His single reached number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100[13] and was included on his album Stop All That Jazz.[14]

Four Tops version

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

Robert Plant version

"If I Were a Carpenter"
Single by Robert Plant
from the album Fate of Nations
Released	1993
Genre	Rock
Length	3:45
Label	Fontana Es Paranza
Songwriter(s)	Tim Hardin
Producer(s)	Chris Hughes Robert Plant

In 1993 former Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant released a version on his studio album Fate of Nations. Plant's version reached 63 on the UK Singles Chart.[15]

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

Chart (1993)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart[15]	63

Johnny Hallyday version (in French)

"Si j'étais un charpentier"
Single by Johnny Hallyday
Released	1966 (1966)
Label	Philips
Songwriter(s)	French adaptation: Long Chris
Johnny Hallyday singles chronology
"Noir c'est noir" (1966) "Si j'étais un charpentier" (1966) "Hey Joe" (1967)

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).[16]

Track listings

7" EP Philips 437.281 BE (1966)

A1. "Si j'étais un charpentier" – 2:15

A2. "On s'est trompé" – 2:40

B1. "Je veux te graver dans ma vie" – 2:50

B2. "La fille à qui je pense" – 2:57[16]

Charts

"Si j'étais un charpentier" / "Je veux te graver dans ma vie" / "La fille à qui je pense"[16][17][18]

Chart (1966–1967)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[16]	3

References

1. Evans, Mike (2010). Woodstock: Three Days that Rocked the World. Sterling. ISBN 9781402780349.
2. Songfacts. "If I Were A Carpenter by Bobby Darin - Songfacts". www.songfacts.com. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 162.
4. "Bobby Darin". www.officialscharts.com. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
5. "Joan Baez - Joan (Vinyl, LP, album)". Discogs. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
6. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 212.
7. "Four Tops". www.officialscharts.com. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
8. "Dutch Charts: The Four Tops". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
9. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 74.
10. "Billboard Hot 100 Chart August 19, 1972". Billboard. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
11. "Bob Seger: Charts & Awards – Billboard Singles". AllMusic. United States. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
12. Morris, Charles (October 23, 2017). "'If I Were a Carpenter' – the folk singer whose song went on to become a Motown classic". ft.com. Financial Times. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
13. "Leon Russell Chart History". Billboard.com. Billboard. Archived from the original on May 4, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
14. "Leon Russell, Stop All That Jazz". Allmusic.com. Allmusic. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
15. "if i were a carpenter | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
16. "Ultratop.be – Johnny Hallyday – Si j'étais un charpentier" (in French). Ultratop 50.
17. "ultratop.be - Johnny Hallyday - Je veux te graver dans ma vie". Retrieved 2017-12-06.
18. "ultratop.be - Johnny Hallyday - La fille à qui je penses". Retrieved 2017-12-06.

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics