If I Were A Carpenter The Four Tops

[Jeanett Fite]

If I Were a Carpenter" is a folk song written by Tim Hardin in the 1960s, and re-recorded with commercial success by various artists including Bobby Darin, The Four Tops and Johnny Cash.[1] 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.[2] The song, believed by some to be about male romantic insecurity, is rumored to have been inspired by his love for actress Susan Morss, as well as the construction of Hardin's recording studio (in the home of Lenny Bruce).[3][1]

The first notable version of "If I Were a Carpenter" was released by Bobby Darin in September 1966.[5] The song was produced by Charles Koppelman and Don Rubin at Darin's insistence. Darin played the acoustic guitar on the recording. Darin took some time to record the song in his recording session, and did not finish the recording until 7 o'clock in the morning.[6] The song was released by Atlantic Records, whose executives were reluctant to release the song until it received enthusiastic response by radio audience on the West Coast when Koppelman managed to get the song played there.[6]

In 1968, The Four Tops hit the Top 20 on both the pop and soul charts with their version, released as the seventh and final single from their 1967 studio album, Reach Out.[15] It also reached No. 7 in the UK charts in 1968 staying in the charts for 11 weeks.[16] It reached No. 4 in the Netherlands.[17]

In 1969, Johnny Cash and June Carter recorded a duet of the song, which went to No. 2 on the country chart and No. 36 on pop, released as the third and final single off of Cash's thirty-third studio album, Hello, I'm Johnny Cash.[26] Their recording won Cash and June a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group at the 1971 Grammys.[27]

In 1993 former Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant released a version on his studio album Fate of Nations, released as the fourth and final single off that record. Plant's version reached No. 63 on the UK Singles Chart.[35]

Stubbs and Fakir quickly started singing together, and by 1953 they had teamed up with two other kids, Obie Benson and Lawrence Payton. The four of them sang together at a party, and decided that they sounded good enough together that they should become a group. They named themselves the Four Aims, and started playing local shows.

I suspect, and it is only a suspicion, that the truth lies between the two, and that it was a collaborative process where Holland and Dozier would go into the studio with a good idea of what they wanted, but that there was scope for interpretation and the musicians were able to make suggestions, which the producers might take up if they were good ones.

Great to see another post and well worth waiting for! It did after all take Michelangelo four years to complete the painting of Sistine Chapel ceiling and he had help. Given the complexity and enormity of your undertaking, and that all the work is without assistance, and self financed rather than by a Pope, you are permitted to take decades if necessary! Anyway, much appreciated for the awesome input and regularly referenced.

Shake Me has always been a favorite of mine. but why, until now,did I not know it was a B side. WHY??? but what do I know although it is still a favorite of mine. love it start to finish. glad to read your review and have to say your were missed

Also very sorry to hear this. I, too, always appreciated his enthusiastic comments. And I always appreciated how he would tie other songs (either within Motown or non-Motown) to the conversation at hand. You could tell he lived Motown. Best to you, Landini.

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After finishing the previous two seasons as Seattle's starting left guard in Super Bowl's XLVIII and XLIX, on the first day James Carpenter became an unrestricted free agent in 2015, the Jets were figuratively camping out on his doorstep with a contract offer in hand.

"To be honest with you, I just really took the first one that I had," Carpenter said. "It was a good deal, and I was like, 'Who wouldn't want to live close to New York?' So me and my wife, we just thought it was a good fit for us."

The Seahawks' first-round pick, 25th overall, in the 2011 NFL Draft, Carpenter played in 50 regular- and post-season games, with 44 starts, the previous four seasons. New York's first-year head coach Todd Bowles and his staff hoped to see that what the Super Bowl Sunday veteran showed on the field in Seattle accompanied him to the East Coast.

"When I got there, they expected me to bring leadership and to bring some of the winning-type play that I did in Seattle," Carpenter said. "I didn't know too much about Coach Bowles, but I'm glad I got to know him. He's an awesome guy. He was like, 'Just bring that and you'll fit in great.' And that's what I tried to do."

"I really wish we could have had more time to play with each other. I begged Brick to stay just one more year," Carpenter laughed. "Because that first year with the Jets, that was amazing. I mean, it was a huge blessing to be able to play beside them two. Everybody knew who those two guys were. Even when I was with Seattle and I was a young player, I knew who they were.

"And I heard stories when I signed there. It was awesome how they brought their leadership at that age, too. And they still had it! It was pretty cool to see. I know how it is to be at year 10, because I was year 10 with the Falcons (in 2020), so I know how hard it was. I appreciated that he was there just that one year. It was an amazing time."

After only playing one season with Ferguson and two with Mangold, once they were gone in 2017, Carpenter's seventh year in the NFL, it was he who was being looked upon to be a leader on the field and in the locker room.

"I knew I had to step up. And I did that. I grew up and was just trying to get there. I wish I could've helped us win. But still, I brought it every day like it was my last day. Till the wheels fell off. I just cared about helping my team. We didn't end up winning the championship, but I appreciated all the guys because we really worked hard," Carpenter said.

"That's what I take from it. I was with a bunch of great guys at the Jets. We tried. The offensive line, I know we did. Brian Winters worked as hard as possible. Breno (Giacomini) always brought it. (Ben) Ijalana brought it every day. And that's all you can really ask for. Just being in the locker room with those guys, every day was a great experience. I still can't get that, you know, as a retired guy."

After spending four seasons each with the Seahawks and the Jets, Carpenter went on to play for Atlanta, New Orleans, and Baltimore, before retiring in 2022. What makes him most proud of his 11-year career?

"That I gave all I had. That's my proudest thing. Every day, I tried to step up and give everything I had. And I believe I did that," Carpenter said. "Football and the NFL helped me become the man I am today, with my work ethic and taking pride in what I do. Just learning how to work hard."

"Four years ago, I found the love of Jesus," Carpenter said. "(And when I complete my degree) I want to just find ways in ministry to proclaim the gospel, probably in the FCA, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes."

"What I enjoy about coaching is that I can mentor them. I can try to help them get a work ethic, be disciplined, and to be better human beings," said Carpenter, who previously coached at the Master's Academy in Oviedo, FL, and helped win the Florida Private School Championship. "Some people don't get it yet, and I'd just like to help them get there in a way that doesn't degrade them."

"Oh, it's amazing. That's the best feeling ever. Coaching last year, I was like, 'What took me so long?'" he laughed. "I don't teach them high school techniques; I teach them the techniques that I learned in the NFL. So seeing them actually doing that, and talking to me about football in a way like it's a language itself, that makes me feel good."

Experience an electrifying night of Motown magic as the legendary Temptations and The Four Tops light up the stage at the Alabama Theatre in North Myrtle Beach. Live on stage Saturday, October 19th, 2024 at 7pm.

The Temptations, often referred to as American music royalty, are world-renowned superstars of entertainment, revered for their phenomenal catalog of music and prolific career. They are one of the most iconic, bestselling brands in the entertainment world today. While the group has evolved over the years, Dr. Otis Williams has continued to lead the group and carry the torch forward for the next generation of Temptations' fans.

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