For those who have watched the Hollywood film about them, it can be difficult to watch their performance without comparing it to Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix’s Walk the Line from 2005. However, take a moment to consider them in this environment as they perform live in Denmark.
By today’s standards, the two are modestly and plainly dressed. The stage is also simple, especially when one considers how well-known the two were at the time; they had recently received a Grammy Award for their rendition of the Tim Hardin song.
Johnny remarks that he had anticipated June to address the audience in Swedish as she introduced the song. She teasingly greets in English before attempting to do so in the local tongue.
They have a great sense of reality. As they start the song, Johnny wraps his arm around her, and she leans in just a bit.
A man who is unsure of himself is the subject of the narrative ‘If I Were a Carpenter.’ If he were just a middle-class man making working-class earnings, he questions whether his true love would still choose him.
Would she marry him if she had a greater position and status, too? The words in June and Johnny’s duet ultimately depict the female love interest stating that she would unquestionably marry the man of modest means, despite the initial sadness of his insecurities.
As the two sing together, Johnny turns to pay attention to June, who exudes shyness and subtly. In terms of interactions between men and women, it was also a different time! Her blue eyes and his black eyes like windows into their souls in certain ways.
The lyric expresses sadness and loneliness, and Johnny and June undoubtedly experienced similar feelings. However, they had a lot of pleasant years together.
They got hitched in 1968 and remained wedded until June passed away in May 2003. In September of the same year, Johnny passed away shortly after her.
Lovely hearts and great artists!