Bob Dylan called him “The greatest songwriter alive”

Bob Dylan he once called him “The greatest songwriter alive” and Joe Strummer he considered him a “Lost Genius of Music”. James Timothy “Tim” Hardin born on December 23, 1941 in Eugene, Oregon, after a period in the Marines, at the age of 20 he moved to New York to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Already a slave to heroin addiction (which began during his experience in the Marines), he gravitated to the thriving Greenwich Village folk scene, making friends and playing with artists such as the author and composer Fred Neil, Mama Cass, Karen Dalton and the future leader of the Lovin’ Spoonful John Sebastian.

Hardin, however, will always remain on the sidelines: his addiction to heroin, alcohol and a solitary and wandering lifestyle never allowed him to achieve the success he deserved but which, perhaps, he never really wanted. Despite this, the American singer-songwriter left behind songs that have become true icons of music: “If I Were a Carpenter”, “Reason to Believe”, “How can we hang on to a dream?” And “Lady came from Baltimore” they have been reinterpreted over time, among others, by artists of the caliber Johnny Cash, Robert Plant, Rod Stewart, Joan Baez, Neil Young hey Carpenters. Many of his other songs were later recorded by artists such as Paul Weller, Byrds and Echo & the Bunnymen.

Whatever the era, whatever the genre, Hardin has always been somehow present. On December 29, 1980, Hardin was found on the floor of his Hollywood apartment by his friend Ron Daniels; he died at just 39 years old from a heroin overdose. Below we remember him with some of his most significant songs.

“Reason to Believe” – from the album “Tim Hardin 1”, 1966

“Misty Roses” – from the album “Tim Hardin 1”, 1966

“How can we Hang on to a Dream?” – from the album “Tim Hardin 1”, 1966

“It’ll Never Happen Again” – from the album “Tim Hardin 1”, 1966

“If I Were a Carpenter” – from the album “Tim Hardin 2”, 1967

“Lady came from Baltimore” – from the album “Tim Hardin 2”, 1967

“Black Sheep Boy” – from the album “Tim Hardin 2”, 1967

“Eulogy to Lenny Bruce” – written by Tim Hardin under the name “Lenny’s Tune” and first recorded by Nico. Featured on Nico’s “Chelsea Girl” album, 1967

“Simple Song of Freedom” – written by Bobby Darin and performed by Tim Hardin, 1969

“Bird On The Wire” – By Leonard Cohen – Performed by Tim Hardin and featured on his album “Bird on a Wire”, 1971

“While You’re On Your Way” – from the album “Nine”, 1973