John Sebastian Songs Ranked

John Benson Sebastian(born March 17, 1944) is an American singer/songwriter, guitarist, harmonicist, and autoharpist. He is best known as a founder of The Lovin’ Spoonful, as well as for his impromptu appearance at the Woodstock festival in 1969 and a US No. 1 hit in 1976, “Welcome Back”. In the early 1960s, Sebastian developed an interest in blues music and in playing harmonica in a blues style, rather than the classical style of his father. Through his father’s connections, he met and was influenced by blues musicians Sonny Terry and Lightnin’ Hopkins (for whom Sebastian served as “unofficial tour guide and valet” when Hopkins was in New York City). Sebastian became part of the folk and blues scene that was developing in Greenwich Village, which in part later gave rise to folk-rock. The Lovin’ Spoonful was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Here are all of John Sebastian’s songs ranked.

Don’t miss out on the TIMELESS John Sebastian music below! Click to experience folk rock at it’s finest!

8. She’s A Lady (John B. Sebastian, 1970)

“John Sebastian – one of the under-rated greats. Some wonderful songs both solo and with the Lovin’ Spoonful. Thanks for all the memorable tunes and associated memories John.”

7. You’re a Big Boy Now (John B. Sebastian, 1970)

“Great guitarist! And always smiles while he sings, the sweetest personality ever. John Sebastian is one of the most gifted songwriters ever.”

6. Younger Generation (Cheapo-Cheapo Productions Presents Real Live John Sebastian, 1971)

“He wasn’t supposed to play Woodstock. He wasn’t even on the line-up. He was just there hanging out backstage getting high and tie dying everything in sight. They gave him a guitar and threw him on stage to kill time. But what a beautiful gentle moment. Such a good song.”

5. I Had a Dream (John B. Sebastian, 1970)

“This makes me seriously cry every time i listen to this recording performed by John. When God created humans He didn’t plan on any evil, hate, pride, selfishness, fear, sickness, suffering, sin and death upon them or this earth. He gave humans a choice but He still loves them forever with an eternal love.”

See more: John Sebastian Albums Ranked

4. Orange Dude Blues (A Night in Woodstock, 2008)

“Never seen harmonica players switch harps that way. What a great sound. I would like to hear more of these two together.”

3. Darling Be Home Soon (King Biscuit Flower Hour: John Sebastian, 1998)

“A master of beautiful heartfelt songs! Great to see him do this song again! It has been described as “…one of the most heartfelt songs about being away from a loved one.”

2. Rainbows All Over Your Blues (John B. Sebastian, 1970)

“All seriousness…this is one of the VERY best examples, of what extremely talented pedal steel playing IS all about! Buddy is a genius musician. Every note, lick, chord…is played with extreme taste. It doesn’t get any better or cooler, than this!! And John Sebastian is totally cool as well. What an awesome team, on this great tune here.”

1. Welcome Back (Welcome Back, 1976)

“John Sebastian always had a knack for sounding like a square: that’s part of what made songs like “You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice” so vivid and compelling. On “Welcome Back,” Sebastian also uses that quality to his advantage. Welcome Back, Kotter is more or less a show about a teacher trying to teach the “unteachable” and defying “hoodlum” stereotypes: playing the theme as a story of a straight-and-narrow fellow teaching kids from the wrong tracks is a perfect way to hook suburban audiences.”