This is one of those songs where I heard the cover before I heard the original. I know some folk fans might not agree with me, but Bob Seger’s version of this classic song is still the one I think of first. Sometimes the first version you hear just sticks with you. Seger is from Michigan, but the South adopted him as one of their own. I heard him constantly while growing up. Whenever I’m in the small town I grew up in, the song Mainstreet is always in my mind. I remember hearing it when I played pool in Pop’s Pool Hall. I guess every town had a Pop’s Pool Hall in some form or name.
Tim Hardin wrote the song, one of those songwriters whose songs became much more famous than he did. Bobby Darin actually released his version before Hardin’s own recording came out. Darin’s version peaked at #8 on the Billboard 100, #7 in Canada, and #9 in the UK. Hardin’s version appeared the following year on Tim Hardin 2. Hardin would later perform the song at Woodstock in 1969.
What I like about Seger’s version is his voice. Hardin’s original has the style you would expect from the man who wrote it, and it is great. But Seger gives the song a completely different personality. His voice already had that rough edge that I love. Against such a tender song, that roughness works for me. If anyone deserved stardom, it would be Seger. Some believe he just magically appeared in 1976 with Night Moves; no, it was a long trek of touring in the 60s and 70s and building up his audience.
The song itself asks a pretty simple question. If everything associated with status and position disappeared, would you still love me? Would it matter what I did for a living or what other people thought of me? Hardin didn’t need a complicated arrangement or a lot of words to get the idea across. That’s probably one reason so many different artists have been able to make the song their own.
And there have been plenty of them. Bobby Darin had the first major hit with it. The Four Tops recorded it. Johnny Cash and June Carter turned it into a duet. Hardin himself gave us the songwriter’s version. Everyone brought something different to it. Bob Seger recorded this for his 1972 album Smokin’ O.P.’s. The album was made up mostly of covers, and the title was a play on “smoking other people’s” songs. Seger’s version was released as a single, and it peaked at #76 on the Billboard 100.
I’ll give Tim Hardin all the credit in the world. He wrote a beautiful song, and without him, none of those other versions would exist. But the first carpenter who showed up at my house was Bob Seger.
I’m sticking with him.
If I Were A Carpenter
If I were a carpenter and you were a lady
Would you marry me anyway?
Would you have my baby?
If I worked my hands in wood
I wonder would you still love me?
I say yes, I would, I’ll put you above me
That’s what I want you to say
And would you save my love from loneliness
Would you save my love from sorrow, if you would
I give you my onlyness, girl and all of my tomorrows
If a tinker were my trade, would you still find me?
Carrying the pots and the pans that I made
Walking along the highway
That long lonely highway
If I was a carpenter, and you were a lady
And I was just a carpenter
Instead of a rock and roll star
Just a carpenter, a carpenter, a carpenter
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Lovely song, and for me the original is still the best. I didn’t know Bob Seger had done it and to be honest it didn’t impress me much, as the lady said. My favourite cover is Robert Plant’s.
For me I like his voice and that organ. Often its the first version that I hear that sticks with me the longest….but of course, I do like Hardin’s version and Johnny and June Cash’s version I heard afterward.
A person’s job should not stop them from marrying who they love. I also like the Seger version much better, Max.
Thanks Jim! His voice and that organ just wins me over. It is a wonderful song.
A song seemingly from my childhood vague memories but I might have heard Darin, or someone like that first but automatically hear Johnny Cash in my head when I hear the title. I didn’t know Seger ever did it. Sounds decent but doesn’t bump the Man in Black out of my head
This is what introduced it to me so it’s the first one I heard…and I just love his voice and that organ…well it’s two totally different styles…so i guess it’s which mood you are in.
Both good for sure. In my head I can hear good ol’ Gord (Lightfoot) singing it too but I can’t say for sure if that happened or is faulty memory!
OH I would almost bet he did! Everyone seemed to cover this song in different styles. From the Cashes country style, Seger’s blues rock style, Hardin the folk style…it works for so many styles because it’s a well written song.
The Four Tops’ version is the one I knew first, but maybe Bobby Darrin’s too was there at the back of my mind too. Great song!
A lot of artists did this song. The song is so strong…that it carries itself no matter who covers it.
I never heard Segar’s version. It is a great song, and I associate it with both Darrin’s hit (it was a big hit in Los Angeles) and, of course, Tim Hardin. I don’t know Johnny Cash’s version.
Segar did some great stuff before the Night Moves signature. I have nothing but respect for him.
But the idea that plays in your post, the idea that is rattling around in my head, is the strength of the first version we hear. You are so on target, Max.
Thanks
Yes…not always Arthur but I find that most of the time the first version people hear is what they remember the most many times.
That rendition by Bob Seger is great. Like in your case, I believe that also was the version of this song I heard first. Bob Seger is one of the many artists I regret not having seen.
Oh me as well! I had my chances during the 80s and 90s…he came here a lot. I kick myself now.
Love this one Max. Back when I discovered Bob. The ‘Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man’.
That song you mentioned is pure gold and energy…
Something about old Bob music. Robert Plant does a pretty good take.
Yes he does…I like that one as well. This song is just a good song…hard to mess it up.
I never knew Bob Seger did a cover of that song
I happened to hear this version first…and for some reason it stuck with me.
Whoever’s version we prefer the song is a perfect vehicle for however you want to perform it. It was a stone cold standard for many an artist in the 60s 70s.
Yes!!! Thats what I’ve been saying as well. The song is structured so well obbverse…that it’s almost fail proof… just keep Boone away from it!
Lol.
Lyrically, I always found this song problematic. It starts simply enough asking about class distinctions. He asks, “am I your equal as a human regardless of how I make a living?” But then he answers the question for her and it morphs into male superiority. “Not only do I, as a man, get to tell you what you’re supposed to say, but you should be subservient to me.”
I never looked at it that way but I can see where you got that. My mind always went to the class part.
I’ve heard Seger has some cool early stuff.
I do recall hearing this when he first recorded it. The organ play in it really sells it for me…that and that unmistakable Bob Seger voice.