Tim Hardin - If I Were A Carpenter

[FarleyTube]

Yes, I'm here because I first heard this in an episode of "The Wonder Years" in 1989 I think.

[LiborMindala1]

Guys I just can t understand these dislikes.... what the f..k is that????

[catchersmitt0]

@LiborMindala1  what dislikes? I don't see any.

[johnnyhuis]

Mr. Tim Hardin was very popular in his day. He sang and wrote from the heart! It is very complimentary to have other accomplished artist like, Mr. Johnny Cash to do a cover recording of his great song! Mr. Bobby Darin even traded songs with him. Ms. Joan Bias, Ms. Dolly Pardon, and more, even recorded! Wow! Writer royalties will come for years to his family! RIP!

[TheConstellation72]

@johnnyhuis

He sold his royalties off dirt cheap,so as far as i'm aware,he didn't leave as big a legacy as folk might think....

[ajweberman]

Love can looked at in terms of economics. Will a socialite fall in love with a homeless person? If i was a crack dealer

And you were a lady

Would you marry me anyway

and have my crack baby?

a few seconds ago ·

[sfpalm]

great tune! love the drums. what a shame though, dead @40 from drugs....waste of talent.

[HugoPachecoCabral]

how come that 3 little bastards that disliked this song were even born?

[lkmits]

Tim wrote a beautiful song. For a totally different take on this, look up the version by the Small Faces.

[MrMeg4life]

The original version... and undoubtedly the best version of this song.

[madscash1]

johnny play it best.mp dk

[MariposaGirl1981]

suicide took this talented man 31 yrs ago

[fauxtoehead]

@MariposaGirl1981 You can't definitely call it "suicide" just because he overdosed on heroin. It could be the case, but only he would know for sure. More then likely it was simply an occupational hazard.

[Jonannellejul]

Believe it or not my favorite version is by (of all people) Leslie West.

[helithemaddog]

who wouldn´t love this classic love song!!!

[TheChrisrg]

It don,t matter recorded this first, this is it.

[Crowrocker71]

Good video. Thanks my friend.  Thumbs up for sure. :)

Lace

[thecitizens]

magical tune

[gageboy14]

Bobby Darin "Live at the Desert Inn" All that needs to be said!!

[casioPX500L]

this song is so nice. I hope some day I be able to play this on my lighting key piano.

[bmjwbc]

losing this wonderful man was and still is a terrible sad loss to all

[coyotesong]

Simply beautiful. This guy was the real deal. He is greatly missed.

[rblet]

Like nature's creation, perfect! And it always will be, regardless of who covers.

[JawNeeOh]

what a great songwriter and singer !

[lastrada52]

I prefer Bobby Darin's version. It was Darin's version that made me seek out Tim Hardin. Darin also did the original "Reason to Believe," and Hardin in turn, recorded Bobby Darin's classic song "Sing A Simple Song of Freedom." What a team. I now enjoy both equally. Elvis Presley was right when he mentioned in an interview that Bobby Darin was one of the most talented singers there ever was. Darin played multiple instruments and seemed able to sing anything effectively.

[SergeantReese]

@lastrada52 I thought Hardin wrote "Reason to Believe" - but either way, Hardin and Darin complimented each other's work pretty well.

[lastrada52]

@SergeantReese Yes, SergeantReese, you're right -- Hardin wrote "Reason to Believe" -- I may not have been clear -- I only meant that Darin covered the song years before other artists recorded it. It appears on Darin's "If I Were A Carpenter" LP on Atlantic 1966. Darin was quite an advocate of Tim's and this LP also has other Hardin songs. The only song Hardin recorded that was written by Bobby Darin & was a minor hit was "Sing a Simple Song of Freedom" -- many think Hardin wrote it.

[RossM3838]

@SergeantReese Hardin did indeed write reason to Believe.

[Grazie67]

Now we know where Simple Minds "Belfast Child" comes from. Listen to it and compare!

[dungalp]

nice song...

[Scooter8370]

LOVE this song.... so much with so little. See BOB SEGER's VERSION it put chills on my arm

[5litreho]

Bobby Darin's version is the best bar none.....

[waiting4thesun64]

it works fine on my comp. beautiful.

[ilikemyVW]

I know how to settle this! which one of them was actually a carpenter? neither? damn!

[LakesideArt]

Love this version the most. Very haunting and has a 'beatnik' feel to it.

[lucasgrosso1977]

In Brazil we have a version by a 60's rock singer - Ronnie Von. It is a good song named as "O carpinteiro"

[1959rocco]

Love This and the Darrin version but the version I like the best is The Small Faces. Marriott sings The S*%t out of it!!

[dougallsdiscs]

NOT as good as Bobby Darin's version,not in any way.

[nedarc]

@dougallsdiscs Yes it is, in a differant way. That's what makes music so great : The diversity ! Both are good but I think this one has more 'white soul' to it.

[compadre002]

jim morrison and tim were in a bar with girls dancing this song

[ggreenwood4]

Darin & Harden several songs for one another!

[lightheartedwilliam]

doesn't matter, both versions are great...nuff said!

[Funkdogg]

i wish he was more known...this song is pure poetry

[ReuvenF]

I love this song, and have tried to record it.

When it gets edited/finished I hope to post it.

PS--I sing it more like Darin,

i.e.--touching love song

PPS--I *WAS* a carpenter, and my N. *IS* a lady

[kittenrenea]

@greenmagoos.... oh wow...thanks friend... :)

I haven't heard this tune in years....but, I am not familiar with this 'original' version....I am familiar with Bobby Darin's version...I think this is probably what got more radio airplay....(noticed the 'tinker' line- aren't you sneaky! ;D )....

x

Tami

[cornholio1962]

chicken schack do a 70;s rock interpretation wich is good

[sfex9]

I still like the best Robert Plant version. His voice is so fragile, almost begging. I'm so sad whenever i hear him. much more broken vulnerable than Hardin (which i love anyway).

[MIKECNW]

How comw this won't play though without stopping?

Think you need to re-upload it.

[namaste91]

@MIKECNW Hi mike. In my case it work without problems. Maybe try it again and wait a little bit ? ; )

[MIKECNW]

@namaste91 Still freezes on the 2nd verse and it can't be my computer because every other YT video I play works.

[TomDeVille]

"Answer me babe:"Yes, I´ll put you above me",

"...carrying the pots I made...following behind me."

Isn´t that machismo?

[lilackine]

@MIKECNW worked fine all the way through for me

Did Tim have any children?

[lilackine]

@MIKECNW worked fine all the way through for me

Did Tim have any children?

PS This is my favorite The way his voice cracks, the sound the feeling I wish I could write something even half as beautiful

[NewWaver80014]

@lilackine Tim and Susan had a son named Damion who is in his early 40s now.

[lilackine]

@NewWaver80014 thanks I hope Damion knows that his father's songs are God's lullabies and his music runs like a river in his son's veins. Oh sorry,  these songs just get me so.........well, you know

[NewWaver80014]

@lilackine No problem. :) Although they didn't see much of each other during Tim's lifetime. I think that, musically speaking, Damion is proud of his legacy.

[vuctreppi]

unhonest vocal for me ,this verse

[vuctreppi]

this is NOT the original version

[namaste91]

@vuctreppi You obviously right. But for me (and not only for me) this version is the best. Darin did a good job,he composed it. And - without purpose to hurt feelings - Darin's interpretation is soppy,Tim has something broken vulnerable in it's voice..

[MrCKinsley]

@namaste91 Sorry, Tim wrote this song, but Darrin released it first, that's all.

[namaste91]

@MrCKinsley uh,that's all a little bit confusing. Thank you. Hope you like it ;)

[PoetsOfElan]

@MrCKinsley And The Free Design released a version better than the other two put together, crazy how these things work out....

[leechris74]

@MrCKinsley Exactly, this is the original propper hippy tune!!!

[RossM3838]

@namaste91 Tim wrote it. Darin heard a demo and recorded it himself and released his first. Tim's own recording came out a little later. Incidentally Tim's only hit on his own came from "A Simple Song Of Freedom" which was written by Darin but recorded first by Tim.

[spacepatrolman]

@RossM3838 bobby rejected younger girl by john sebastian tim had the same publisher

[philfromearth]

@vuctreppi This is the real version. Tim Harden wrote this fine song.

[kojak543]

@vuctreppi Tim Hardin wrote this song Darin only recorded it before Hardin released it.

[fishingluhrs1]

Yiou have a good point. Bobby Darin did an awesome job...but he did have something to start from....something to build from. Tim Hardin did it from scratch with the sound in his head. That says something. Both great talents...but the talent it takes to write a lasting song is really something to admire.

[gameshowmatt]

Meanwiddlekid it's "Colored blouse" not "colored bars" which pretty much explains itself.

[lilycarol]

She has money, he'a talented laborer. Would she miss her colored blouse and her soft shining? (her soft shoes-but creates a hissing sound, simpler to say soft shoe).

[heikkuri]

@lilycarol Except that it is "color box" in the official lyrics sites, and not a blouse at all.

[lilycarol]

@heikkuri Thank you, I actually used to know it as color box, singing in the car back in the 70s or 60s. I let other theories sway me here because I became unsure. I always pictured her like a Renaissance woman in silk, drawing with her colors she kept in a box., and the song could be set in an earlier century, couldn't it.

[erzebet1961]

beautiful !

[tjkeasyboy]

He's saying "colored blouse", meaning would she mind being poor. RossM3838 below is right, his Woodstock version is weird and emotional. One of my favorite songs. And he was out of his mind at Woodstock, in one scene he babbles on and on about how the Germans and Japanese have made all the vehicles around us. But who cares? EVERYONE in the 60's performed under the influence at one time or another. At Monterey pop everyone was high on Owsley's 'orange sunshine' acid, and they all did great!

[heikkuri]

@tjkeasyboy Right idea, but it is "color box."

[lilycarol]

@tjkeasyboy That's because those cars were new to us at the time, but I loved the 60's sport cars like the ones the cute guys in college drove.

[lilycarol]

@tjkeasyboy American sports cars.

[sidensvans67]

Best by far...

[jason75]

Tim played it first...back then they all played the same song..then bobby darin etc

[RossM3838]

@jason75 actually although Tim Hardin wrote the song Bobby Darin recorded it first. Tim's own (this recording) came a little later. A few years later Tim had a hit with Bobby Darin's song Simple Song Of Freedom. Bobby Darin recorded it himself after Tim. In essence they swapped songs. Bobby Darin and Tim became friendly and really helped each other out.

[rakeuiff]

@RossM3838 Furthermore When Tim first heard it it was on a car radio and he thought it was him it sounded so like his version when he realized it was Bobby Darin he was pissed, Bobby years later through Tim a bone with Simple Song of Freedom to sort of make up for it, nothing against Darin A GREAT ENTERTAINER , but facts are facts .

[sparksdini]

Nice. My first version was The Four Tops and I guess that'll always be my fave. Could "colour bars" mean, like, the vertical colour bars on TV?

[k6skt6666]

nobody plays it like Ramblin' Jack Elliott

[thewillismon]

Another worthy cover of this is Bob Seger's version. It's from '72 before he hit it big nationally. Seger brings it to a simmering slow burn......

[waiting4thesun64]

i love this song. brings tears to my eyes. so beautiful

[3831M]

I think the greatest version of this song was played on woodstock 1969

[RossM3838]

@3831M At Woodstock Tim seems to have come from outer space. He loses his place and has to keep repeating the same chord over and over until he regains it and then uses the chord progression from a different song. He was probably under some substance as he often was. The performance is riviting, emotional and odd.

[rakeuiff]

@RossM3838 You do not know what you are talking about, first of all for anyone who ever saw Tim more than once Hwas a jazz singer and would never sing a song the same twice true he was stoned at Wood stock, but was doing his usual improvising and added a new verse he was working on , Secondly Darin told him he would wait for Tim's version to come out Darin's record company released it early Darin had already heard Tim's version and copied it,

[steelyman08]

This is just so subtle and down-to-earth ~ nothing flashy. It's the only version that moves me.

Great upload (-:

[MissGiulia73]

I suggest you to listen to the Small Faces and Chicken Shack versions too, they are interesting..

This song is wonderful anyway.

Hardin sang a live version during Woodstock69 but the video is no more on youtube

[SergeantReese]

I agree Darin's cover version is excellent, but to me there's very few (if any) singers who put more heart into their songs than Tim Hardin.

[Rando123a]

Its a good song, but Bobby does it so much better with more heart and soul.

[Fmbunyard]

I saw Tim H. perform this song in person so many years ago I can't remember. It was at a night club in San Franciso and Tim was the "warm up" act for Woody Allen. Woody was just getting started at that time.

Hardin was high on drugs and liquor and almost fell off the stage. If he hadn't stumble into the microphone he would have. The crowd booed him.

I loved and still love Tim Hardin.  He was a "romantic" so naturally he had to die a tragic death.

[dorsiflector]

****** Songs like this make wish that YouTube had six stars.

[killiekentman]

what a waste of a good life to heroin, like so many good singers before and after. thank goodness we can still listen to there music today. no matter who sings it, its good to hear. thank you for posting

[meanwiddlekid]

Thanks for posting this. I've read many comments on other versions that Hardin's is the best. Now I've heard it for myself. It's good but his voice can't compare to Darin's.

Does anyone know what the line "Will you miss your color bars and your soft shoes shining" means? I'm guessing that shoes shining refers to the dust at a mill but what are the color bars?

[namaste91]

You're welcome. :)

[147dlb147]

IT IS ACTUALLY COLORED BLOUSE

[meanwiddlekid]

@147dlb147

Maybe you're right but I just listened to a lot of the different versions and no one seems to say that. It does make a little more sense though.

[rakeuiff]

it is blouse

[brib333]

Crayons

[AxlRose444]

@meanwiddlekid Colored blouse -- flour dusted.

[heikkuri]

@meanwiddlekid It's "color box." And the dust from a mill would dull the shine of her shoes. As a lady, she would have an appreciation for refinement. As a working man's wife, she will have to give up a lot of luxuries. The soft, shiny shoes, the color box, which is paints or pastels: fine clothes and elegant pastimes are things he imagines she might miss.

[roycechestnut]

colored blouse

[roycechestnut]

colored blouse

[rakeuiff]

Thank you so much for posting Tim's version which is where all other's come from that is where Bobby Darin got his version, pretty much copied Tim's and released it just before Tim's came out, Eddie Black

[sturmundranging]

Glad you agree. Only heard Tim's version till I googled the words (I cover it on guitar adapting Red Balloon's rhythm taught me by a lady Israeli guitarist.) Darin's has something. Heard Dolly Parton's; Alison Kraus'? Tim's is best . Darin released it before the composer did! Tacky? WithTim's OK? BTW, the "conditional" form "If I were," once standard form for any average educated American, is disappearing. Today, the incorrect usage would be written: If I was a carpenter. Fascinating, huh? - Pam

[rakeuiff]

No it was not with Tim's ok but Darin's management released it befopre they were supposed to Tim heard it on the radio and thought it was his and was very pissed when he found out !

[rakeuiff]

No, it's better! more feeling more wavering and plaintive . less Las Vegas.

[sturmundranging]

This song should be part of the 'great American songbook'

[rakeuiff]

You are absolutely right! a seminal folk song, with a classic theme that is why so many have recorded it , including me,

God bless you Tim and Susan his widow about whom it was written. Eddie Black, (This is the anniversary of Tim's death. 29 years ago R I P. Tim.)

[Tempo3499]

Love this song. Many versions, but this is the best.