If I Were a Carpenter

“If I Were a Carpenter,” penned by folk-rocker Tim Hardin, became Bobby Darim’s first top ten hit in three years (he returned the favor by writing Hardin’s 1969 hit “Simple Song of Freedom,” a political anthem that took hold in the unrest of the late-’60s and early-’70s Vietnam era). “Lovin’ You,” written by John Sebastian of The Lovin’ Spoonful, was Bobby’s last big hit in 1967. He was deeply involved in politics by this time, causing a strain on his recently-faltering marriage which ended in divorce that year. Joining Robert Kennedy’s presidential campaign, he often traveled with the extremely popular politican and was with Kennedy when he arrived in Los Angeles on June 4, 1968, two days before his assassination. This devastating occurrence coupled with his split from Sandra sent Bobby into a tailspin. He sold the house and most of his possessions, moving to a remote area near Big Sur, California, where he led a laid-back existence in a small trailer for about a year.