Folk music is the voice of the people—a timeless tapestry of stories, struggles, love, and life woven through acoustic strings and heartfelt lyrics. It’s music that speaks to the soul, grounded in tradition yet endlessly evolving, passed from generation to generation like sacred whispers of truth. In this heartfelt countdown of the Top 15 Most Popular Best Folk Music Songs of All Time, we’re celebrating the songs that have stood as pillars of storytelling, cultural identity, and emotional expression.
These are the anthems that sparked movements, captured hearts, and painted vivid portraits of everyday life. From the poetic brilliance of Bob Dylan and the haunting harmonies of Simon & Garfunkel, to the raw authenticity of Joan Baez and the modern magic of artists like Mumford & Sons—each track on this list is a timeless treasure.
Whether you’re drawn to the gentle strum of a guitar, the rich layers of harmony, or the powerful lyrics that tell stories of love, justice, and humanity, this list is your gateway to the heart and soul of folk. So grab a cozy seat by the fire, close your eyes, and let the music carry you across generations. This is folk music at its finest—pure, powerful, and unforgettable. Let the journey begin!
1. Scarborough Fair – Traditional (popularized by Simon & Garfunkel, 1966)
Scarborough Fair is a centuries-old English ballad whose earliest known versions date back to the 17th century. Its melancholic melody and poetic lyrics speak of lost love and impossible tasks. The song found renewed fame in 1966 when Simon & Garfunkel released their haunting arrangement, intertwining it with the anti-war song Canticle. Their version elevated the traditional tune into a modern meditation on innocence and conflict. The acoustic guitar’s delicate picking and the duo’s harmonies created an ethereal soundscape, bringing medieval folk to a new generation. While its origins are ancient, Scarborough Fair remains a timeless reminder of love’s complexities and the endurance of folk tradition.
2. The Times They Are A-Changin’ – Bob Dylan (1964)
Released in 1964, The Times They Are A-Changin’ is Bob Dylan at his most prophetic. Written to capture the social upheaval of the early ’60s, the song serves as both warning and invitation. Dylan’s lyrics speak directly to senators, mothers, and journalists, urging them to recognize the shifting tides. With its marching rhythm and old-time folk cadence, the song feels both ancient and sharply modern. It became an anthem for the civil rights and anti-establishment movements, encapsulating the spirit of a restless generation. Dylan didn’t just write a song—he wrote a signpost for a turning point in American culture.
3. Suzanne – Leonard Cohen (1967)
Leonard Cohen’s Suzanne, first released in 1967 on his debut album Songs of Leonard Cohen, is a poetic meditation on love, mysticism, and connection. Originally a poem before it became a song, Suzanne tells the story of a woman who guides the narrator through both physical and spiritual landscapes. With a hushed voice and sparse guitar, Cohen created an atmosphere of intimacy and mystery. The song’s references—to Jesus walking on water, to Canadian rivers and harbor fronts—add layers of meaning that listeners continue to unpack. It’s a quiet masterpiece that exemplifies Cohen’s unique ability to blend folk with philosophical depth.
4. Turn! Turn! Turn! – Pete Seeger (1959)
Pete Seeger composed Turn! Turn! Turn! in 1959 using nearly verbatim text from the Book of Ecclesiastes. Its message—that there is a time for everything—struck a chord during the era’s turbulent social changes. The gentle melody and biblical poetry made it universally resonant. When The Byrds covered it in 1965, the song became a folk-rock hit, but the original folk version remains a testament to Seeger’s genius for turning scripture into song. It’s a piece that bridges ancient wisdom with modern longing for peace and understanding. Few songs have conveyed such timeless truth with such elegant simplicity.
5. Danny Boy – Frederic Weatherly (1913)
Though often mistaken for a traditional Irish ballad, Danny Boy was penned in 1913 by English songwriter Frederic Weatherly and set to the Irish tune Londonderry Air. Its lyrics, heavy with themes of emigration, death, and longing, have touched hearts for over a century. The song speaks from a parent’s—or lover’s—perspective, bidding farewell to a departing loved one. Its soaring melody and emotional weight have made it a mainstay at funerals, weddings, and Irish gatherings worldwide. Despite its English origins, Danny Boy has come to symbolize Irish identity and diaspora in a deeply personal way.
6. House of the Rising Sun – Traditional (popularized by The Animals, 1964)
House of the Rising Sun is a folk ballad that dates back to at least the early 1900s, but it wasn’t until 1964 that it exploded into mainstream consciousness thanks to The Animals. Their electrified version turned the traditional tale of ruin into a rock-infused lament, but the song’s roots are firmly planted in the folk tradition. Its narrative of a life gone wrong in a New Orleans brothel—or prison, depending on the version—is as chilling as it is compelling. The original folk renditions, often sung a cappella or with minimal instrumentation, carried a raw, confessional tone. It’s a song that evolves with every voice that carries it.
7. Mr. Tambourine Man – Bob Dylan (1965)
Mr. Tambourine Man, released in 1965 on Dylan’s Bringing It All Back Home, marked a turning point in folk music. The lyrics, steeped in surreal imagery and dreamlike longing, blurred the line between folk and poetry. Dylan’s acoustic version is introspective and flowing, while The Byrds’ cover—released the same year—sparked the folk-rock movement. The song invites listeners on a journey away from the mundane into a world shaped by rhythm and imagination. It’s not just a song; it’s an odyssey that captures the restless spirit of the 1960s. With this track, Dylan redefined what folk music could be.
8. City of New Orleans – Steve Goodman (1971)
Written in 1971 by Steve Goodman, City of New Orleans is a musical love letter to a fading piece of Americana—the long-distance passenger train. With vivid imagery and heartfelt nostalgia, Goodman captures the rhythm of the rails and the spirit of the people aboard. Though his version gained modest attention, Arlo Guthrie’s 1972 recording brought the song widespread acclaim. Its chorus—“Good morning America, how are you?”—feels like a warm embrace and a quiet lament all at once. It’s a folk song that celebrates everyday life while mourning the gradual loss of the ordinary wonders that once defined it.
9. Wild Mountain Thyme – Francis McPeake (1957)
Wild Mountain Thyme, sometimes known as Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go?, was adapted and popularized by Belfast musician Francis McPeake in 1957, though it draws from older Scottish sources. The song is a lyrical invitation to wander through nature with a loved one, wrapped in the romantic mystique of the highlands. Its gentle cadence and floral imagery evoke a deep connection to the land and the seasons. Often sung in harmony, it has become a beloved standard in Celtic folk circles. Whether performed in a pub or at a festival, it never fails to stir the heart with its pastoral beauty.
10. Leaving on a Jet Plane – John Denver (1966)
Written by John Denver in 1966, Leaving on a Jet Plane captures the bittersweet ache of parting with someone you love. Though Denver initially recorded it himself, it was Peter, Paul and Mary’s 1969 rendition that made the song a household name. With its simple chord progression and heartfelt lyrics, it delivers an emotional punch without ever veering into melodrama. “Don’t know when I’ll be back again” became a line that resonated across generations of travelers, lovers, and dreamers. It’s a modern folk classic that distills the pain of goodbye into something tender, melodic, and enduring.
11. Blowin’ in the Wind – Bob Dylan (1962)
When Bob Dylan released Blowin’ in the Wind in 1962, he wasn’t just singing; he was questioning the conscience of a generation. This song, featured on his second album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, became an anthem for civil rights and anti-war movements. With a deceptively simple melody and lyrics that pose a series of rhetorical questions, Dylan challenged listeners to reflect on justice, freedom, and peace. His voice—raw and unpolished—carried an urgency that made the song impossible to ignore. “How many roads must a man walk down…” became a rallying cry, not just in America but across the globe. It was more than a folk song—it was a moral compass in turbulent times.
12. This Land Is Your Land – Woody Guthrie (1940)
Woody Guthrie’s This Land Is Your Land is often mistaken for a patriotic singalong, but its roots are far more revolutionary. Written in 1940 as a response to Irving Berlin’s God Bless America, Guthrie’s lyrics subtly critique economic inequality and exclusion. Set to a familiar folk tune, the song’s verses celebrate the American landscape while also raising questions about who truly has access to it. Although not recorded until 1944 and released in 1951, the song circulated widely in protest circles. Its enduring power lies in its balance—part love letter to the country, part call to action. Guthrie gave America its unofficial anthem of equality.
13. The Sound of Silence – Simon & Garfunkel (1964)
Released in 1964 on their debut album Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., The Sound of Silence began as a quiet, introspective folk tune. Written by Paul Simon in the aftermath of the JFK assassination, the song captures a haunting sense of alienation in modern society. Its poetic lyrics—“Hello darkness, my old friend…”—speak to the loneliness and disconnect of a rapidly changing world. Initially overlooked, the song gained traction after a remixed version was released in 1965 with electric instrumentation, but the original acoustic version remains a masterpiece of folk introspection. It’s a conversation between silence and the soul, as timely now as it was then.
14. Where Have All the Flowers Gone – Pete Seeger (1955)
Pete Seeger’s Where Have All the Flowers Gone is a masterclass in simplicity and depth. First published in 1955 and inspired by a traditional Cossack folk song, Seeger crafted a cyclical narrative that mourns the senselessness of war. Each verse builds upon the last, tracing a haunting progression from flowers to soldiers to graves, and back again. The song’s repetitive structure and gentle melody make it easy to sing, yet its message is profound and sobering. It became a staple of the peace movement, recorded by artists like The Kingston Trio and Joan Baez. Seeger distilled the futility of violence into a few poignant lines—and in doing so, created a timeless protest anthem.
15. If I Had a Hammer – Pete Seeger & Lee Hays (1949)
Written in 1949 by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays of The Weavers, If I Had a Hammer is a rousing declaration of justice, freedom, and love. Originally conceived as a labor song, it gained broader recognition during the civil rights era. With its metaphor of hammering out danger and ringing out love, the song transforms everyday tools into symbols of social change. Its rhythmic cadence and call-and-response style make it ideal for rallies and singalongs. Though it didn’t chart until Peter, Paul and Mary’s 1962 version, the original 1949 composition laid the groundwork for decades of protest music. It’s folk with a purpose—bold, urgent, and unifying.
Samuel Moore is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
