The Best Folk Songs Of All Time Ranked

The term folk music and its equivalents in other languages denote many different kinds of music; the meaning of the term varies according to the part of the world, social class, and period of history. In determining whether a song or piece of music is folk music, most performers, participants, and enthusiasts would probably agree on certain criteria derived from patterns of transmission, social function, origins, and performance. The central traditions of folk music are transmitted orally or aurally, that is, they are learned through hearing rather than the reading of words or music, ordinarily in informal, small social networks of relatives or friends rather than in institutions such as school or church. In the 20th century, transmission through recordings and mass media began to replace much of the face-to-face learning. In comparison with art music, which brings aesthetic enjoyment, and popular music, which (often along with social dancing) functions as entertainment, folk music is more often associated with other activities, such as calendric or life-cycle rituals, work, games, enculturation, and folk religion; folk music is also more likely to be participatory than presentational. Here are the best Folk Songs of all time.

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15. Where Have All the Flowers Gone – Pete Seeger

“Part of the song was written by Pete Seeger in 1955, but more was added by Joe Hickerson in 1960. He was inspired to write the song in October of ’55 when he was on his way to sing at Oberlin College. It was after his group “The Weavers” was disbanded after being blacklisted during the McCarthy Era. The song’s verses were released in a magazine first before Seeger released a 45 single of the song in 1964.”

14. Mr. Tambourine Man – Bob Dylan

“Well-loved for its expansive melody and poetic, surrealist lyrics, this song was written in 1964 by Bob Dylan, who credited French poet Arthur Rimbaud and Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini as inspirations. People have variously interpreted it as a paean to drugs, a vision of mortality, or a meditation on the meaning of escape. One thing is certain though: it’s as catchy as anything, which helps to explain why it has been performed and recorded so many times by artists as diverse as the Byrds, Judy Collins, Odetta, and Stevie Wonder.”

13. This Land Is Your Land – Woody Guthrie

“There are few folk songs in American history more famous than Woody Guthrie’s classic “This Land Is Your Land.” He penned the song because he was tired of hearing Kate Smith’s version of “God Bless America” and wanted another patriotic song to sing.”

12. Irene – Lead Belly

“First recorded by Huddie Ledbetter or Lead Belly in 1933, “Irene” would eventually go on to be a number-one hit for Pete Seeger’s group The Weavers in 1950. Lead Belly, with his twelve-string guitar, was a walking encyclopedia of traditional music and helped to shape modern music today.”

11. Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel

“The song was composed by Paul Simon, and it’s considered their signature song. It was released in January 1970. It’s grown to become their biggest hit single. It hit Billboard Hot 100 for 6 weeks. Over time, many artists have sung their own renditions of the songs from Aretha Franklin to Elvis Presley.”

10. Freight Train – Elizabeth Cotten

“Although this song has been miscredited many times, the real artist behind it was Elizabeth Cotten (1893-1987): a self-taught African-American guitarist who, from the age of 13, worked as a maid, and only began performing publicly and recording in her sixties. She wrote ‘Freight Train’ – probably her signature song – while still a young girl, inspired by the memory of a nearby train that she could hear from her childhood home in North Carolina.”

9. I Ain’t Marching Anymore – Phil Ochs

“Known for his protest and topical songs, Phil Ochs may not have been a popular as other folk singers of the 1960s. However his song I Ain’t Marching Anymore has been sung at countless protests. His music, such as this anti-war song, with simple yet truthful lyrics has stood the test of time”

8. Puff the Magic Dragon – Peter, Paul and Mary

“The lyrics for the song were based on a poem written in 1959 by a student at Cornell University named Leonard Lipton. He used a typewriter to get the poem “out of his head” then promptly forgot about it. His housemate named Peter Yarrow looked for him years later to give him credit for the song. He’s still getting royalties today.”

7. Little Boxes – Malvina Reynolds

“The 1962 Malvina Roberts hit “Little Boxes” was a satirical take on the sudden growth of American suburbia, making fun of the uniformity of white-collar Americans, their homes, and their lifestyles. It would become a hit for Pete Seeger a year after she released it herself.”

6. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down – Joan Baez

“Joan Baez, whose musical career has spanned over 60 years, has been an indomitable political, environmental, and human rights activist throughout. While singing at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom is one her most memorable performances, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down has been her most popular song according to Billboard.”

5. The Times They Are a’Changing – Bob Dylan

“The lyrics of the song talk about a changed society and nation over time. It talks about how the times have changed from the older generation, as well as from those living during that era to those being born in increasingly different circumstances. The verses list examples of this change as far as music, equality, poverty levels, war (“the wild beasts of war”), and the motivations of individuals. The chorus summarizes this as “the order is rapidly fadin'” and that “the first one now will later be last”.

4. If I Had A Hammer (Hammer Song) – Pete Seeger

“There are few people more important to the revival of American folk music than Pete Seeger. He penned the tune “If I Had A Hammer (Hammer Song),” which became one of the most important songs of the civil rights movement.”

3. Tom Dooley – The Kingston Trio

“The folk song “Tom Dooley” was written by the Kingston Trio in 1958. It tells of how “Tom Dula” (sometimes transcribed as “Dooley”) murdered Laura Foster after she broke off their engagement, and then fled to Tennessee where he was arrested for horse thievery. The song was a hit in 1958 and it remained at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959. The song has been covered by many different artists, with one of the more popular versions being by Joan Baez.”

2. Blue Moon Of Kentucky – Bill Monroe

“Traditional folk music gave birth to many genres of American music, and “Blue Moon Of Kentucky” is not only one of the first true bluegrass tunes, but it also was the first song Elvis Presley ever recorded, making it an integral part of rock ‘n roll history. Bill Monroe’s tune is the official state song of Kentucky.”

1. Woodstock – Joni Mitchell

“Just about any Joni Mitchell song could go here, but the BBC places Woodstock at the top of its best folk songs of all time. This iconic song remains a musical Polaroid of Woodstock, reminding people the festival was more than music and drugs, it was the coming together of a defining generation.”