Puneet Varma (Editor)

If I Were a Carpenter (song)

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B-side
  
"Wonderful Baby"

Format
  
7" single

Length
  
2:47

Released
  
1968

Genre
  
Folk, soul

Label
  
Motown M 1124

"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. The song has been covered a number of times by other artists:

Cover versions

  • In 1966, it was a Top Ten hit for Bobby Darin, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Bobby Darin also had an album If I Were A Carpenter, which contained the song.
  • In 1967 Joan Baez covered it on her album Joan, initially renamed If You Were a Carpenter though later compilations reverted to the original title.
  • In 1968, The Four Tops hit the Top 20 on both the pop and soul charts with their version. It also reached number eight in the UK charts in 1968 staying in the charts for 11 weeks. It reached number four in the Netherlands.
  • In 1970 a duet by Johnny Cash and June Carter went to number 2 on the country chart.
  • In 1972, a cover by Bob Seger reached number 76 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was released from his album Smokin' O.P.'s.
  • In 1979, Leif Garrett released a version of the song on his album, Same Goes for You.
  • According to the Discogs encyclopedia the song appears on 2287 singles, lp's or cd's.

    • References

    If I Were a Carpenter (song) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA