Peter Paul & Mary Songs Ranked

Peter, Paul, and Mary was an American folk group formed in New York City in 1961, during the American folk music revival phenomenon. The trio was composed of tenor Peter Yarrow, baritone Noel Paul Stookey, and contralto Mary Travers. The group’s repertoire included songs written by Yarrow and Stookey, early songs by Bob Dylan, as well as covers of other folk musicians. After the death of Travers in 2009, Yarrow and Stookey continued to perform as duo under their individual names. Mary Travers said she was influenced by Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and the Weavers. In the documentary Peter, Paul & Mary: Carry It On — A Musical Legacy, members of the Weavers discuss how Peter, Paul, and Mary took over the torch of the social commentary of folk music in the 1960s. The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. Peter, Paul, and Mary received the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006. Here are all of Peter Paul and Mary’s songs ranked.

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10. Tell It on the Mountain (In the Wind, 1963)

“Mary Travers was surely the most committed performer ever. Her passion in voice and facial expression is undeniable. It is an outpouring of emotion that leaves me drained. She gives it all to you. Truly great”

9. Such Is Love (Such Is Love, 1982)

“This is a MUST BUY for any PP&M fan. The sound mix is fantastic for an album that was recorded in front of a live audience. Do hesitate to add this to your collection.”

8. Blowin’ in the Wind (Moving, 1963)

“I love Bob Dylan and folk music, so when my friend introduced me to Peter, Paul and Mary I naturally fell in love. This is an iconic Bob Dylan song, so it’s easy to fuck it up, but Peter, Paul and Mary do a lovely job.”

7. Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright (Moving, 1963)

““Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” was their second single in a row to cover a Bob Dylan composition. Their recording of his “Blowin’ In The Wind” during the summer of 1963 was a huge hit and brought Dylan fame as a songwriter.”

See more: Peter Paul and Mary Albums Ranked

6. If I Had a Hammer (Debut Album plus – Peter, Paul and Mary, 1962)

“Our experience of music is always linked to the form in which we receive it. Currently I’m listening to this in headphones and admiring how the stereo version allows my mind to slide between hearing the way the voices blend and mingle and at another moment to hear the particular quality of an individual voice. For once in a 60s song, the mix is a relatively normal use of stereo sound: Peter+guitar on one side, Paul+guitar on the other, with Mary flying free in the center. I’m amazed, gratefully so, that it’s not something silly, like all the voices crammed on one side and the instruments on the other.”

5. Stewball (In the Wind, 1963)

“Peter, Paul & Mary were an instrumental part of the 1960s folk revival. While most of the folk music of the era was sparse and simple, their harmonies pushed it in a pop direction and made it appealing to millions of music fans.”

4. Puff the Magic Dragon (Moving, 1963)

“This song gives me such a rush of nostalgia, I remember when I was so young and I loved this song and my mom would always play it for me. Man those really were the times. Ignorance truly is bliss.”

See more: Peter Cetera Songs Ranked

3. I Dig Rock and Roll Music (Album 1700, 1967)

“This trio could barely conceal their contempt for rock and roll – in fact, Mary Travers said outright that rock music is poorly written and considered the genre’s increasing popularity over folk to be a “fad.” I can forgive their sourpuss attitude because this song’s lively arrangements make it something I truly enjoy hearing every time. The musical satire of its intended targets (“Sunshine Superman” allusion here, “Yellow Submarine” nod there) is pretty clever… more so than the lyrical barbs, which would make you think Papa John Phillips urinated in the group’s cornflakes that morning. Their intended rock-sucks message may not move me or mean a rat’s ass to me, but this is still a fine pop song, so I’ll put another quarter in the jukebox, baby.”

2. Where Have All the Flowers Gone (Debut Album plus – Peter, Paul and Mary, 1962)

“The beauty in their truths are still so vibrant – their interchange with the audience is magnetic. Thank you for showing them interacting. These three are ones I loved hearing when they first sang and still listen to today”

1. Leaving on a Jet Plane (Album 1700, 1969)

“Peter Paul and Mary’s version of this early pre-country John Denver song really took off and became a high-flying hit in both America and Britain in the winter of 1969. Okay, enough of the aeronautical metaphors, but really I’ve always liked this song and remember it well even as an infant in the late 60’s when it first charted. The melody is very pretty as is is the lead vocal by Mary Travers. Sometimes the old-folky harmonies of her fellow-members jar a little as they presumably try steer the song away from pop but it’s to Denver and Travers credit that they don’t achieve it leaving us with a lovingly-crafted and touchingly rendered song of farewell and regret.”