"Reason to Believe" Tim Hardin

[ngwio]

Does anyone have this song by Ian and Sylvia? My favorite.

[sgtcook1]

A great song without a doubt. I think I just listened to all the other covers and personally, I think it has to be the original version, although I do like the Carpenters arrangement. Karen had a tremendous singing voice.

[HenryFramusValentine]

The original and still the best. But the song is so good that even The Carpenters, Rod Stewart, and Peter Paul & Mary can't even wreck it — too badly.

[jmh384]

one of the best purchases i ever made was the complete tim hardin. talk about baring your soul. whew

[DirkjeA]

Beautiful song, indeed covered by many musicians, and I prefer the version of the Dutch 60tees band Brain Box, featuring Jan Akkerman on guitar and Kaz Lux performing the vocals.

wow, a different cookie.....

[JayAdlerComment]

I would rather upload Tom Rush. Tim Hardin and Joni Michell and their pleasant and technically

adept singer song writer status than any one today. That's why I retrograb.

[whocares1694]

Check out his vibrato on almost every word. He gave Dylan a run for his $ but Tim faded out and it's sad.

[knyirady]

He could say it all in two minutes.

[whupass95]

Great post and thanks. Wonderful song.

[iw32]

4 people need to find a reason to believe.

[borjjalo]

thanks tim for everything

[N89J00X]

One of the greatest songwriters ever.

[ted98407]

wow this is good too i didnt even know he did the song and its great

[silvio7som]

Linda esta música.

[ppaulmorris]

His song and great.

[suziQ27]

this makes me just burst into tears~every time I hear it.

[treadlightlynow]

only 4 cretins dont like this ...must be jhiadist from Iran , lol

[mears89]

This is good but i still think Rudi Bennett(The Motions) has the best version

[winggoddess]

wow i'm finally hearing the original of this song. i always wondered who sang the original. personally i like wilson phillips' version best.

[PsiBrr]

Mason Williams (Classical Gas) did a great cover of this song as well!

[gangpae48]

Anyone remember Lullaby, Child's Song, and Old Man's song? Tim was a master.

[grannynara]

A "love" of my life made a tape for me, and he had this on it, and several other Tim Harden tunes. I can't listen to this very often, but I will indulge occasionally. These songs are how he communicated to me.

[gary26087]

@cmulwee001 Not the original? He wrote it and it was on his debut album ... what are you saying was the "original?"

There are certainly other 'interpretations' ... Hardin was a very good singer songwriter (If I Were A Carpenter ... is a 'fav' also)

Gary Holt

[hurtin24me]

this one is good but i love lobo version all the time..



[bazzab58]

I still have the Tim Hardin vinyl album I bought in 1967 when living in Virginia - it was a constant soundtrack to the start of our romance and we still love it, 43 years of married life since. I play and sing "Reason to believe" myself but I can't claim to match Tim's version.

[ehrlacher112]

A beautiful song, and beautifully performed. His voice has such vulnerabilty...my favorite version is not available here on YouTube. It's the Youngbloods from about 1967 or so. A more countryish sound, they add some beautiful harmonies to parts of it.

[catman916]

@ehrlacher112 The Youngbloods' version is on their 1967 LP, Earth Music, which I happen to have. Would you like me to upload it?

[loughra]

@catman916 I would love you to upload it!

[BardOfEarth]

@catman916 PLEASE DO upload Youngbloods version! That album also has GET Together, right? If you can please upload that too?

[catman916]

@BardOfEarth I have already uploaded it. "Get Together" is from their first album.

[RehovHaeshel]

@catman916 Please post the great version of this song by Peter, Paul, and Mary. Thanks.

[spacepatrolman]

@catman916 The youngbloods became progressivly more jazzy with each album until they did a record that was total avante garde jazz instrumentals noggins after jesse left, manfred mann started as a jazz group then went in the other direction

[shellyboy9]

I saw Rod Stewart three times before Maggie May. I never saw Tim Hardin. The first version I heard was the Carpenter's, then Roddey's. I heard many others before I heard Tim's. For me, Tim's is so head and shoulders above the others. The sensitivity and vulnerability in his is unmatched. See! It's not so hard to miss someone you've never known.

[iw32]

4 people still need to find a reason to believe.

[genesssa]

i first heard the ian and sylvia version, which i can't find on youtube. is there some reason why we can't enjoy more than one version? did tim hardin forbid his songs to be sung by others because only he could feel them properly? i don't THINK so. i enjoy his version and yes he brings unique insight to it, but rod and ian/sylvia brought their own insights too.

g

[11xzxzxz]

Nice maybe beautiful song .. evokes the sensitivity of a early Neil Young acoustic song.

[AlgernonSidney]

This song was originally written, sung and birthed out of the pain of singer/songwriter Tim Hardin. MANY have covered it, Bobby Darrin, Lobo, Rod Stewart, The Carpenters, Cher, Peter, Paul and Mary, Glen Campbell, Marianne Faithful, Johnny Cash, Wilson Phillips and more. Many have covered it but Tim Hardin died for it. He deserves the credit. I agree dancegypsy, I'm glad this is here. Always felt he was talking to me when I listened to him. He also wrote "If I Were A Carpenter" as well.

[TheDookie58]

tim had a lot of issues in his short life,bt he always gave his best when it came to his music....a lifetime fan remembers...

[thomashood252003]

ghastly 

[xebob]

This version is fine, although Rod's version is frankly better. The additional instruments on Rod's really help. it's a shame that the lead singer of a hit tends to get all the credit while the other members of the band plus the songwriter, sound engineer, producer, etc tend to get left out.

[LazzariJ]

Where are you Johnny Box?

[jmh384]

why do my heroes (bobby darin & karen carpenter) get so little credit. just because he wrote this song? did you people know he used to sell guns to the arabs & dynamite to the jews?

[reddisis11]

he sang if i were a carpenter me and said redheaded lady in the middle.truth..when i walked out i looked upstairs and he was there with a smile and a nod to me very special night we all need a shoulder at times and he was hy stage fright

[reddisis11]

and walked up to him gave him a kiss and a hug,did not speak when he went back on after people were almost booing him he was a spark .alive

[reddisis11]

true story i saw him at the troubador 1970 ,he ws messing up on h, i went upstairs to his dressing room like i belonged

[reddisis11]

hey dzid or whatever brit you are..you are an unappreciative piece of work as you never saw the man and f rod stewrats version as far as emotion..it belongs to tim ..who lived it fo grrrr

[RobMacKendrick]

Brilliant sound; very 60s, yet timeless. Thanks!

[suziQ27]

whether I die tomorrow or live to be 100, I know for sure I will love you for the rest of my life

[hueseph]

Funny how when you hear the original of any song, suddenly you get an understanding of what was going through the songwriters head at the time. I'm tired of people quoting Rod Stewart as the originator of this song. Rod's never written a song in his life. Not without help. Thanks for posting this. Opened my ears a bit more.

[07foxmulder]

@hueseph i honestly believe that rod steward could have become a successful songwriter. he showed a lot of promise and potential with his first few albums... but then i guess he saw how easy it was to make a quick buck by having others write his music and by doing covers. oh, and let's not forget completely changing his image lol it's a shame, really.

[hueseph]

@07foxmulder Rod did great work with Jeff Beck and his first few solo albums. After that, nada.

[berkelandmccarrell]

Hey, no one is mentioning the Mason Williams version.

[cmulwee001]

The first version i ever heard was by The Carpenters, and I thought theirs was the original.

[catman916]

@cmulwee001 Not the original, but an excellent cover.

[okkith64]

@cmulwee001

So you're dumb

[roscoegino]

@cmulwee001 i thought if i was a capenter was sung by the carpen ... forget it.

[pmnaredo]

@cmulwee001

[renoskydust]

i liked this effortless performance relaxing and unhurried i learnt a lot from this thanks Tim Hardman

[coyotesong]

@renoskydust Great call....effortless is exactly right. A great talent who's underrated and under-appreciated.

[aintgotnotrouble4]

R.I.P. Tim Hardin. Many memories brought back to me by this song.....

[davidfaubion]

Beautiful lyrics, subtle understated passion, deep sensitivity, care: love -- nice to hear, at last, the actual songwriter's crown jewel of his heart sung deep from within his soul

[coyotesong]

@davidfaubion beautifully stated. 

[dzidziabum]

Fuck this guy ! Rod Steward THE BEST ... Thumbs up if you think so too !

[bwanna23]

@dzidziabum you don't fuck the guy who wrote the song, besides he's dead.

[ruskin57]

@dzidziabum Ignorant ar*ehole ~ yours, a Brit!!

[sbbinahee]

Man he has a great quality to the voice. I'm more familiar with Glen Campbells great rendition but I love this too!

[vaughan4082]

nice but i prefer rods version

[Teddyb1939]

This must be one of the best songs of all time,words,music & Tims story.

[lasinlo]

This was always my favorite version of this song!

[rnapaporn1]

someone told me ...like this ...

[jackamanfan]

Lovely song. The Dillards do a great version on their "Mountain Rock" album too.

[pegann100]

I listen to this, and it's 1967 again--and I'm in the bedroom with the first man I loved.

[funfabmegan]

omgggggggggggg Im in deep crappers..I didnt select this song. I feel Ive been set up here. Something seriously fishy wif that article. and this song. Grrrrrrrr.

[miiket67]

apology accepted i was hoping that they wouldn't block the peter paul & mary version of reason to believe from being down loaded.

[catman916]

@miiket67

Unfortunately WMG has blocked my uploads by artists such as Emmylou Harris, the Everly Brothers, Ray Charles, as well as Peter, Paul, and Mary. In the past they have subsequently unblocked some of my videos, so there's always hope.

[smeg27]

@catman916 & mike67: If you just want the audio for any tune, try Limewire, Vuze, or some other P2P app. Should be able to find it there. I've found lots of obscure tunes by using those apps and sites.

[catman916]

@smeg27

I would use caution with these sources because of the risk of picking up malware.

[smeg27]

@catman916 So far so good for me. Maybe Macs are a bit more resistant to that sort of thing. Still, you're right. One can never be too careful.

[miiket67]

when i went to listen to the peter paul,& mary version of reason to believe it said that wmg blocked it from being heard. i really wanted to hear their version of this song bummer!

[catman916]

@miiket67

I'm sorry that it was blocked.

[susp1]

@miiket67 Yeah, PP&M version probably is the best. I'd like to find it too!

[miiket67]

please would you upload the peter paul,&mary version of reason to believe?thanks ever so much.

[miiket67]

peter,paul and mary also covered this song on their late again album released on warner brothers.

[catman916]

@miiket67

I have it. Would you like me to upload it?

[FENNYMAN]

Genius!

I saw him getting on for 40 years ago. He was grumpy and played with little contact to his audience. But he was spellbinding. And still is!

[miro3002]

One of my favorites

[MrMRMatthewMateo]

thanks Rod for introducing me to this version!

[old27]

I like the beat to this version better

[Zubene]

Is there any film of Tim on youtube? The only film I know about was some out takes from Woodstock that made the director cut

[TheCyndrress]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this song!!!

[pendekar6]

Reflect on the lyrics, and you'd know how it feels to love someone

[MrCKinsley]

Dozens of people have covered this song. They all sound good, because it's a good song.

[bugibbab0y]

I have the LP "nine" on 12 inch and still love it, real talent.

[dancegypsy]

Definitely one of my favorites, too. It's almost a shame that if you grew up with the original, very few can improve upon it, but if your first exposure is by the cover artist, it's hard to really hear or appreciate the originator. I like the covers, but no one sings this like the writer, for me.

[CharlesMcGlade]

@dancegypsy

I agree with you there, it's the real thing.

(Even though I came alive during the Pepsi generation...)

dwight@humanism.ws

[silverstartrucker]

A lovely singer.

[boybyrne]

Check out Paul Wellers version on the cd/i tunes weller at the BBC

[chinzebo]

I too have this album..I read that he was, ahem, rather difficult..I wasn't around him so what do I know however we are so lucky to GET to hear this great artist. Thanks so much for posting.

[rakeuiff]

@chinzebo No actually Timmy was a charmer who's smile could light up a room ,however getting someone to record and show up on time and perform who had stage fright and chemical addictions could be daunting for his handlers and eventually recked a promising career of a brilliant poet, singer , songwriter. Isaw most of his NYC shows during the 1960'sw and 70's he was always funny and amazing joking with the audience.

Eddie Black

[ironspear1]

props to the songwriter.

[gauchebag]

another song where the cover is much better than the original

nothing against tom harding but rod stewart is the shit

[guyglowmore1]

now if he happened to be a carpenter. . .

[guyglowmore1]

have this album plus the songbook. probably rare. have played this song since the 60's too. just sang/played it yesterday in fact. quite a fine tune. thanks for posting. heard tim play at mccabes before he died. he put on a really good show with bob gibson. really crafty introspective songs. one of a kind. glad he wasn't a carpenter . give thanks

[catman916]

McCabes' is a great venue.

[littlemissrangers]

this was 1 of ma step-grandads fav sings and it ws played at his funeral....great song!

[bobcoker828]

it is about time someone put tim hardin's version of this beautiful song on youtube. thank you

[newmexican]

It took me a long time to get past the cover's to find the real Tim Hardin. And I guess this is the real Tim.  I don't think I ever heard this song until Rod Stewart did it...then I found out Scott McKenzie did it too, and that it was Tim Hardin piece. The songwriter is often the best. I'm glad this is here.

[catman916]

This is the genuine article, newmexican.

[youtootube99]

@newmexican Don't forget Bobby Darin and Karen Carpenters great covers.

[youtootube99]

@newmexican Not to mention the great Bobby Darin and Karen & Richard Carpenters covers.

[spacepatrolman]

@newmexican Same thing with if i were a carpenter theres a lot of covers buring the original same thing with youtube if you look up somebody you dot get everything you have to dig it out of peoples sites

[spacepatrolman]

@newmexican the same thing happened wth if i were a carpenter its buried under cover versions like when you look up somebody in youtube you dont get everythin you have to dig it outof peoples sites

[OREGONBEKKI]

@spacepatrolman So true...He also wrote "Simple Song of Freedom" which is another really great song. Tim Hardin was raised in Eugene, Oregon which is where I live. Many people know his songs but yet are unfamiliar with him...too bad.

[spacepatrolman]

@OREGONBEKKI bobby darin turned down younger girl by john sebastian [ he thought it was about robbing the cradle ] when it was a hit he said ill take any song you have tim hardin and the lovin spoonful had the same publisher leo feist he gave a speech at the berklee college of music that elitism is the most important thing in music while john sebastian was having number one hits and living in a cardboard house at of that mess came john sebastians solo album and simple song of freedom by bobby

[TheDarkKnight914]

Thank you for uploading this, and Rod Stewart made a damn good job covering this great song

[avazofia]

I love Tim Hardin's vocal imperfections. I also love Bobby Darin - but I think Hardin's songs have so much more emotion and power behind them. Adore them both though!

[SergeantReese]

Only two comments - even on YouTube, Hardin doesn't get the respect he deserves.

[TheDarkKnight914]

Then it's in our hands to give respect to whom respect is due

[SergeantReese]

Agreed.

[Alan62651]

One of my favorites, too. Along with "Black Sheep Boy."

[silasofa]

Nice.