James Timothy "Tim" Hardin (December 23, 1941 – December 29, 1980) was an American
folk musician and composer. He wrote the
Top 40 hit "
If I Were a Carpenter", covered by, among others,
Bobby Darin,
Joan Baez,
Johnny Cash,
The Four Tops,
Robert Plant, and
Johnny Rivers; his song "
Reason to Believe" has also been covered by many artists, notably
Rod Stewart (who had a chart hit with the song),
Neil Young, and
The Carpenters. Hardin is also known for his own
recording career.