If I Had a Hammer

Last updated
"The Hammer Song"
Hammer Song The Weavers 1950.jpg
Original 1950 release by The Weavers on Hootenanny Records, 101-A.
Single by The Weavers
B-side "Banks of Marble"
Released 1950
Genre Folk
Label Hootenanny
Songwriter(s) Pete Seeger
Lee Hays
"If I Had a Hammer"
If I Had A Hammer Peter Paul Mary 45 1962.jpg
Single by Peter, Paul and Mary
Single by Peter, Paul and Mary
from the album Peter, Paul and Mary
B-side "Gone the Rainbow"
Released 1962
Genre Folk
Length2:11
Label Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s) Pete Seeger
Lee Hays
Producer(s) Albert Grossman
Milt Okun
Peter, Paul and Mary singles chronology
"Lemon Tree"
(1962)		"If I Had a Hammer"
(1962)		"Puff, the Magic Dragon"
(1963)
"If I Had a Hammer"
If I Had A Hammer Trini Lopez 45 1963.jpg
Single by Trini Lopez
Single by Trini Lopez
from the album Trini Lopez at PJ's
B-side "Unchain My Heart"
Released 1963
Venue P.J.'s
Genre Folk rock
Length2:59
Label Reprise
Songwriter(s) Pete Seeger
Lee Hays
Producer(s) Don Costa
Trini Lopez singles chronology
"If I Had a Hammer"
(1963)		"Kansas City"
(1963)
"Datemi un martello"
Single by Rita Pavone
B-side "Che m'importa del mondo"
ReleasedDecember 1963 [1]
Recorded1963
Genre Pop, chanson, surf rock
Length2:40
Label RCA Italiana
Songwriter(s) Pete Seeger
Lee Hays
Sergio Bardotti
Producer(s) Luis Bacalov
Rita Pavone singles chronology
"Cuore"
(1963)		"Datemi un martello"
(1963)		"Son finite le vacanze"
(1963)

"If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song)" is a protest song written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays. It was written in 1949 in support of the Progressive movement, and was first recorded by the Weavers, a folk music quartet composed of Seeger, Hays, Ronnie Gilbert, and Fred Hellerman. It was a #10 hit for Peter, Paul and Mary in 1962 and then went to #3 a year later when recorded by Trini Lopez in 1963.

Contents

The Weavers released the song under the title "The Hammer Song" as a 78 rpm single in March 1950 on Hootenanny Records, 101-A, backed with "Banks of Marble".

Early versions

The song was first performed publicly by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays on June 3, 1949, at St. Nicholas Arena in New York City at a testimonial dinner for the leaders of the Communist Party of the United States, who were then on trial in federal court, charged with violating the Smith Act by advocating the overthrow of the U.S. government. [2] It was not particularly successful in commercial terms when it was first released. It was part of the three songs Seeger played as the warm-up act for Paul Robeson's September 4 concert near Peekskill, New York, which subsequently erupted into a notorious riot. [3]

Hit versions

It fared notably better commercially when it was recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary 12 years later. Their version of the song, released in July 1962 from the group's debut album became a top 10 hit, and won the Grammy Awards for Best Folk Recording and Best Performance by a Vocal Group. It reached number 17 in Canada. [4] Trini Lopez's 1963 single went to number three on the same Billboard chart and number five in Canada. [5] It was included on his album Trini Lopez at PJ's (Reprise R/RS 6093). [6] Rita Pavone's Italian-language adaptation "Datemi un martello", with lyrics by Sergio Bardotti, was a major hit in Italy and also charted in South America. [7]

Other versions

Legacy

The song "If I Had a Hammer" was a freedom song of the civil rights movement. It had a tremendous impact on the American youth in the 1960s who protested against the American culture. It helped to spark the hippie movement.[ citation needed ]

Charts

Peter, Paul and Mary
Chart (1962)Peak
position
Canada CHUM Chart [20] 17
US Billboard Hot 100 [21] 10
US Cashbox Top 100 [22] 13
Trini Lopez
Chart (1963–1964)Peak
position
Argentina [23] 1
Australia (Kent Music Report) [24] 2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [25] 1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) [26] 1
Canada (CHUM Chart) [27] 5
Denmark (Hitlisten) [28] 1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [29] 16
France (IFOP) [30] 3
France (Cash Box) [31] 1
Ireland [32] 3
Israel (Kol Yisrael) [33] 1
Italy ( Musica e dischi ) [34] 10
Mexico (AMPROFON) [35] 1
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [36] 1
New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade) [37] 2
Norway (VG-lista) [38] 2
Peru [39] 1
South Africa [40] 3
Spain (AFYVE) [41] 1
Sweden (Kvällstoppen) [42] 1
Sweden ( Tio i Topp ) [43] 1
Switzerland (Musikmarkt) [44] 2
UK Singles (OCC) [45] 4
Uruguay [46] 4
US Billboard Hot 100 [47] 3
US Billboard Hot R&B Singles [48] 12
Venezuela [49] 8
West Germany (Official German Charts) [50] 2
Rita Pavone
Chart (1964)Peak
position
Argentina (CAPIF) [51] 3
Brazil (IBOPE) [52] 1
Uruguay [53] 5

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twist and Shout</span> 1961 rock and roll song

"Twist and Shout" is a 1961 song written by Phil Medley and Bert Berns. It was originally recorded by the Top Notes, but it did not become a hit in the record charts until it was reworked by the Isley Brothers in 1962. The song has been covered by several artists, including the Beatles, Salt-N-Pepa, and Chaka Demus & Pliers, who experienced chart success with their versions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Not Fade Away (song)</span> 1957 single by The Crickets

"Not Fade Away" is a song credited to Buddy Holly and Norman Petty and first recorded by Holly and his band, the Crickets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trini Lopez</span> American singer, guitarist, and actor (1937–2020)

Trinidad López III was an American singer, guitarist, and actor. His first album included a cover version of Pete Seeger's "If I Had a Hammer", which earned a Golden Disc for him. His other hits included "Lemon Tree", "I'm Comin' Home, Cindy" and "Sally Was a Good Old Girl". He designed two guitars for the Gibson Guitar Corporation, which are now collectors’ items. A documentary on his life and career, "My Name is Lopez" was released in April 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A World Without Love</span> 1964 single by Peter and Gordon

"A World Without Love" is a song recorded by the British duo Peter and Gordon and released as their first single in February 1964. It was included on the duo's debut album in the UK, and in the US on an album of the same name. The song was written by Paul McCartney and attributed to Lennon–McCartney. The B-side was "If I Were You", written by Peter and Gordon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Will Follow Him</span> 1963 single by Little Peggy March

"I Will Follow Him" is a popular song that was first recorded in 1961 by Franck Pourcel, as an instrumental titled "Chariot". The song achieved its widest success when it was recorded by American singer Little Peggy March with English lyrics in 1963. The music was written by Franck Pourcel and Paul Mauriat. It was adapted by Arthur Altman. The completely new English lyrics were written by Norman Gimbel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pretty Flamingo</span> 1966 single by Manfred Mann

"Pretty Flamingo" is a song written by Mark Barkan, which became a hit in 1966 when Manfred Mann's recording of it was released as a single. The single reached number one in the UK Singles Chart on 5 May 1966. Manfred Mann's recording was a minor hit in the United States where it spent eight weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 29 during the week of August 6, 1966. It was also successful in Ireland, and was number one there for four weeks, keeping the Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black" at number two.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do You Love Me</span> 1962 single by the Contours

"Do You Love Me" is a rhythm and blues song recorded by the Contours in 1962. Written and produced by Motown Records owner Berry Gordy Jr., it appeared twice on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, reaching numbers three in 1962 and eleven in 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do Wah Diddy Diddy</span> 1964 single by Manfred Mann

"Do Wah Diddy Diddy" is a song written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich and originally recorded in 1963, as "Do-Wah-Diddy", by the American vocal group the Exciters. Cash Box described the Exciters' version as "a sparkling rocker that bubbles over with coin-catching enthusiasm" and said that the "great lead job is backed by a fabulous instrumental arrangement." It was made internationally famous by the British band Manfred Mann.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cover Me (Bruce Springsteen song)</span> 1984 single by Bruce Springsteen

"Cover Me" is a song written and performed by American rock singer Bruce Springsteen. It was the second single released from his 1984 album Born in the U.S.A.. Springsteen wrote the song for Donna Summer. However, his manager, Jon Landau, decided the song had hit potential, and so he kept it for the upcoming Springsteen album. It has been certified Gold in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tired of Waiting for You</span> 1965 single by the Kinks

"Tired of Waiting for You" is a song by the English rock band the Kinks. It was released as a single on 15 January 1965 in the UK and on 17 February 1965 in the US. The single reached number one in the UK and number six in the US. It then appeared on their second studio album, Kinda Kinks. It was the group's highest-charting single in the US - tied with "Come Dancing", which achieved the same chart position eighteen years later in 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blame It on the Bossa Nova</span> 1963 single by Eydie Gormé

"Blame It on the Bossa Nova" is a song written by Cynthia Weil (lyrics) and Barry Mann which was a 1963 hit single for Eydie Gormé, reaching number 7 on the Hot 100 in Billboard in March 1963. The song also peaked at number 32 in the UK, whereas "Yes, My Darling Daughter" became the biggest hit for Eydie there, reaching number 10.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just One Look (song)</span> 1963 single by Doris Troy

"Just One Look" is a song co-written by American R&B singers Doris Troy and Gregory Carroll. The recording by Doris Troy was a hit in 1963. The Hollies, Anne Murray, Linda Ronstadt and Iain Matthews each achieved great success with the song. There have also been many other versions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(You're the) Devil in Disguise</span> 1963 song by Elvis Presley

"(You're the) Devil in Disguise" is a 1963 single by Elvis Presley. It was written by Bill Giant, Bernie Baum and Florence Kaye and was published by Elvis Presley Music in June 1963. The song peaked at No. 3 in the US on the Billboard singles chart on August 10, 1963, and No. 9 on the Billboard Rhythm and Blues singles chart, becoming his last top ten single on those charts. The single was certified "Gold" by the RIAA for sales in excess of 500,000 units in the US. The song also topped Japan's Utamatic record chart in the fall of 1963. In June 1963, when the song was debuted to a British audience on the BBC television show Juke Box Jury, celebrity guest John Lennon voted the song "a miss" stating on the new song that Elvis Presley was "like Bing Crosby now". The song went on to reach No. 1 in the UK for a single week.

"There! I've Said It Again" is a popular song written and published by Redd Evans and David Mann in 1941. In early 1945, Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra released Victor 20-1637, which reached the number one position on the Billboard's National Radio Airplay chart for five straight weeks, then no.2 for six more weeks, and a total run of 29 weeks. It finished 1945 as the no. 4 record of the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby's Girl (song)</span> 1962 pop rock single originally performed by Marcie Blane

"Bobby's Girl" is a song and single written by Gary Klein and Henry Hoffman. The original was performed by American teenage singer Marcie Blane, and became a No. 3 hit on the US charts. A near-simultaneous cover by British singer Susan Maughan was a hit in the UK, coincidentally also reaching No. 3 on the UK charts. Both Blane and Maughan are one-hit wonders; for both these artists, "Bobby's Girl" marked their only appearance on a national top 40 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forget Him (Bobby Rydell song)</span> 1963 single by Bobby Rydell

"Forget Him" is a song written by Tony Hatch and released in 1963 by Bobby Rydell. The song spent 16 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 4 on January 18, 1964, while it spent 14 weeks on the United Kingdom's Record Retailer chart, reaching No. 13. The song also reached No. 3 on Billboard's Middle-Road Singles chart, No. 3 on Canada's CHUM Hit Parade, No. 8 on the Irish Singles Chart, and No. 2 in Hong Kong.

"My Heart Belongs to Only You" is a song written by Frank Daniels & Dorothy Daniels. Bette McLaurin and June Christy both released versions of the song in 1952. In 1953, the song reached No. 27 on Cash Box's chart of "The Nation's Top 50 Best Selling Records", in a tandem ranking of June Christy, Bette McLaurin, these versions were marked as bestsellers.

"Southtown U.S.A." is a song released by The Dixiebelles in late 1963. The song spent eight weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, reaching No. 15, while reaching No. 20 on the Cash Box Top 100, and No. 18 on Canada's CHUM Hit Parade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ooh Poo Pah Doo</span>

"Ooh Poo Pah Doo" is a song written and performed by Jessie Hill. It was arranged and produced by Allen Toussaint. The single reached No. 3 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 28 on the Hot 100 in 1960.

This is the discography of American folk group Peter, Paul and Mary.

References

  1. ↑ "Rita Pavone - Datemi un martello".
  2. ↑ "Town Talk," The Daily Worker, June 1, 1949
  3. ↑ Frillmann, Karen. "Today in History: Peekskill Riots". WYNC (New York), 4 September 2009. Accessed 25 January 2015.
  4. ↑ "CHUM Hit Parade - August 27, 1962".
  5. ↑ "CHUM Hit Parade - September 2, 1963".
  6. ↑ Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 21 - Forty Miles of Bad Road: Some of the best from rock 'n' roll's dark ages. [Part 2]" (audio). Pop Chronicles . University of North Texas Libraries. Track 2.
  7. ↑ Salvatori, Dario (2001). "Datemi un martello". Dizionario delle canzoni italiane. Elle U. p. 119. ISBN   8888169016.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Phull, Hardeep (2008). Story behind the Protest Song: A Reference Guide to the 50 Songs That Changed the 20th Century. ABC-CLIO. p. 20. ISBN   9781567206852.
  9. ↑ Laing, Dave (December 21, 2011). "Ross MacManus Obituary". The Guardian . Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  10. ↑ Paul Simpson, ed. (2003). The Rough Guide to Cult Pop. Rough Guides. p. 80. ISBN   9781843532293.
  11. ↑ Schnakenberg, Robert (2014). The Encyclopedia Shatnerica: An A to Z Guide to the Man and His Universe. Quirk Books. p. 223. ISBN   9781594747762.
  12. ↑ Sandahl, Carrie (2000). "Bob Flanagan: Taking It Like a Man". Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism: 97–105.
  13. ↑ "Pongo en Tus Manos Abiertas - Victor Jara | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  14. ↑ Mularski, Jedrek (2014). Music, Politics, and Nationalism In Latin America: Chile During the Cold War Era. Cambria Press. p. 94. ISBN   9781621967378.
  15. ↑ "Johnny Cash". Billboard .
  16. ↑ Banister, C. Eric (2014). Johnny Cash FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Man in Black. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 208. ISBN   9781617136092.
  17. ↑ "Wanda Jackson". Billboard .
  18. ↑ "Various Artists – Appleseed's 21st Anniversary: Roots and Branches". AllMusic . Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Appleseed will release unreleased Springsteen recording". Point Blank. August 28, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  20. ↑ "CHUM Hit Parade - August 27, 1962".
  21. ↑ "Peter Paul Mary Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Cashbox Top 100: October 16, 1962". cashboxmagazine.com. Retrieved 2021-04-05.
  23. ↑ "Cash Box – International Best Sellers" (PDF). worldradiohistory.com. Cash Box. 29 August 1964. p. 46.
  24. ↑ Kent, David (2005). Australian Chart Book (1940–1969). Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-44439-5.
  25. ↑ "Trini Lopez – If I Had A Hammer" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  26. ↑ "Trini Lopez – If I Had A Hammer" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  27. ↑ "CHUM Hit Parade - September 2, 1963".
  28. ↑ "Cash Box – International Best Sellers" (PDF). worldradiohistory.com. Cash Box. 7 December 1963. p. 36.
  29. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Trini Lopez". Sisältää hitin – 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 152. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  30. ↑ "InfoDisc : Accès direct à ces Artistes > Choisir Un Artiste Dans la Liste" (PHP) (in French). infodisc.fr. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  31. ↑ "Cash Box – International Best Sellers" (PDF). worldradiohistory.com. Cash Box. 11 January 1964. p. 38.
  32. ↑ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard . 2 November 1963. p. 28. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  33. ↑ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard . 9 November 1963. p. 24. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  34. ↑ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 15 March 2024. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Trini Lopez".
  35. ↑ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard . 25 April 1964. p. 36. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  36. ↑ "Trini Lopez – If I Had A Hammer" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  37. ↑ Flavour of New Zealand, 3 October 1963
  38. ↑ "Trini Lopez – If I Had A Hammer". VG-lista. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  39. ↑ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard . 15 February 1964. p. 38. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  40. ↑ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard . 23 November 1963. p. 32. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  41. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando. Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002. ISBN   84-8048-639-2.
  42. ↑ Hallberg, Eric (1993). Eric Hallberg presenterar Kvällstoppen i P 3: Sveriges radios topplista över veckans 20 mest sålda skivor 10. 7. 1962 - 19. 8. 1975. Drift Musik. p. 243. ISBN   9163021404.
  43. ↑ Hallberg, Eric; Henningsson, Ulf (1998). Eric Hallberg, Ulf Henningsson presenterar Tio i topp med de utslagna på försök: 1961 - 74. Premium Publishing. p. 313. ISBN   919727125X.
  44. ↑ Swiss Charts Archive. 15 February 1964.
  45. ↑ "Trini Lopez: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  46. ↑ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard . 30 May 1964. p. 28. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  47. ↑ "Trini Lopez Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  48. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 360.
  49. ↑ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard . 9 May 1964. p. 30. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  50. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Trini Lopez – If I Had A Hammer" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 15 March 2024. To see peak chart position, click "TITEL VON Trini Lopez"
  51. ↑ "Billboard (8/29/64)" (PDF).
  52. ↑ "Billboard (9/5/64)" (PDF).
  53. ↑ "Billboard (7/18/64)" (PDF).
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.