Tom Paxton Songs Ranked

Thomas Richard Paxton (born October 31, 1937) is an American folk singer-songwriter who has had a music career spanning more than fifty years. In 2009, Paxton received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He is noteworthy as a music educator as well as an advocate for folk singers to combine traditional songs with new compositions. Paxton’s songs have been widely recorded, including modern standards such as “The Last Thing on My Mind”, “Bottle of Wine”, “Whose Garden Was This”, “The Marvelous Toy”, and “Ramblin’ Boy”. Paxton’s songs have been recorded by Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, The Weavers, Judy Collins, Sandy Denny, Joan Baez, Doc Watson, Harry Belafonte, Peter, Paul and Mary, The Seekers, Marianne Faithfull, The Kingston Trio, the Chad Mitchell Trio, John Denver, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Flatt & Scruggs, The Move, The Fireballs, and many others. Here are all of Tom Paxton’s songs ranked.

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15. Jennifer’s Rabbit (Morning Again, 1968)

“Without a doubt one of Paxton’s strongest albums. If not the strongest of them all. Album was produced by Gallagher and Roger Glover and the production is just awesome.”

14. Peace Will Come (Peace Will Come, 1972)

“”Peace Will Come” is one of my very favorite songs, especially for the lyrics “Let it begin with me” and “My own life is all I can hope to control”. Glad to see it finally available again.”

13. Talking Vietnam Pot Luck Blues (Morning Again, 1968)

“More traditional folk approach on this earlier record, and still damn straight. Great protest material from one of the mostly forgotten greats. A great time period record, and the title track is a classic in any era.”

12. Jimmy Newman (6, 1970)

“One of my favorite feel-good songs of all time. Always a great go to when lounging and having a cold drink on a hot evening. Absolutely his best song!”

See more: Tom Paxton Albums Ranked

11. Buy a Gun for Your Son (Ain’t That News, 1965)

“Fabulous lyrics and musicianship. John sings with palpable feelings. Truly miss him. His music is timeless & always joyful to listen to.”

10. My Lady’s a Wild Flying Dove (Ramblin’ Boy, 1964)

“I have always love listening to John Denver. His music is wonderful. His voice is beautiful. His songs are easy to do if you are practicing Sign Language because they are slow and clear.”

9. Goin’ to the Zoo (Ramblin’ Boy, 1964)

“I think this is the one Tom Paxton song that no one else could cover simply because they don’t have the ability. His vocal is amazing.”

8. The Willing Conscript (Ain’t That News, 1965)

“I love the fiddle a ton, he really plays it really well are whoever does it. Then he sings very well to it, in a sort of folky way like sing along the fire type of thing. Then to add to it that traditional country type thing.”

7. Ev’ry Time (Ain’t That News, 1965)

“I just love this song, it’s an all time classic. I remember hearing it as a young child and it’s amazing that so many people still listen to it to this day. It not only connects to the older generation but the young generation as well.”

6. Lyndon Johnson Told the Nation (Ain’t That News, 1965)

“Easy to listen to easy to sing to. Wonderful lyrics and wonderful meaning. I truthfully came here thinking this would be number one!”

See more: James Taylor Songs Ranked

5. What Did You Learn in School Today? (Ramblin’ Boy, 1964)

“Really great song… This song makes me feel calm and cool. Seriously, listen to this song. Just amazing! Love it! Best Tom Paxton for me…”

4. The Marvelous Toy (The Complete Tom Paxton: Recorded Live, 1970)

“After 40 years found the song that has never been recorded since the sixties until Anne Murry did it on her Christmas Special”

3. Whose Garden Was This (6, 1970)

“Hard to explain, the tone the feeling of this drifting is so good. I did not even know this song existed until a few weeks ago but now it is almost constantly playing in my room.”

2. I Can’t Help but Wonder Where I’m Bound (Ramblin’ Boy, 1964)

“I like anything by Tom Paxton, but this album, probably his first, has the songs that have the most meaning for me and many others of us in the folk song world. It gives me the shivers to listen to songs like “My Son John.” Paxton is a poet who sees deeply into life and happens to blend what he comes to understand as a poet with music that makes his perceptions palatable…if still painful. I played guitar for years, once was good, so I appreciate Paxton’s way with the strings. He’ll never beat Doc Watson, but who will? I loved this album so much that I gifted it to my son and was amazed to find that, one generation younger, he, too, is a Paxton fan. How did that happen when I wasn’t looking?”

1. The Last Thing on My Mind (Ramblin’ Boy, 1964)

“I haven’t heard this song or Tom Paxton for many years, and it was a great pleasure to stumble on it again. Always loved it, and I’m pleased I am moved even more now, than as a youth .What a lovely gentle voice he had, perfect for this sad love song, which I associate with the best of an era that now seems to have bred most of the famous folk singer/writers.”