The Best Folk Rock Music Videos You Need to See

There’s something special about folk rock music videos. They tend to be more emotional and sincere than other genres, and they often capture the feeling of wanderlust and nostalgia.

Whether you’re a fan of classic folk rock like Simon and Garfunkel or newer acts like The Avett Brothers, there’s sure to be a video on this list that you’ll love. So sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the best folk rock music videos out there.

The Best Folk Rock Music Videos of All Time

In the world of rock music, there are few genres that are as varied and interesting as folk rock. This genre takes the best of both worlds, infusing folk music with a rock edge that can make for some truly incredible music videos.

If you’re a fan of folk rock, or just looking for something new to check out, here are the best folk rock music videos of all time.

1. “The Weight” by The Band

2. “The Times They Are A-Changin'” by Bob Dylan

3. “California Dreamin'” by The Mamas and the Papas

4. “Mr. Tambourine Man” by The Byrds

5. “Turn! Turn! Turn!” by The Byrds

The Best Folk Rock Music Videos from the 60s

While the genre of folk rock didn’t officially exist until the 60s, there were a few artists who were playing around with the idea of mixing folk and rock music long before that. The 60s was really the decade that saw folk rock explode onto the scene, with bands like The Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel, and The Mamas & The Papas leading the way.

While there are too many great folk rock songs from the 60s to list them all here, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best music videos from that era. From Dylan going electric at Newport Folk Festival to The Byrds playing in a psychedelic landscape, these videos capture the spirit of Folk Rock in all its glory.

-Bob Dylan – “Subterranean Homesick Blues” (1965)
This is one of Dylan’s most iconic songs, and the video is just as iconic. Shot in black and white, it features Dylan holding up a series of signs with different lyrics from the song. It’s simple but effective, and it perfectly captures Dylan’s spontaneity and charisma.

-The Byrds – “Turn! Turn! Turn!” (1965)
This is one of The Byrds’ most famous songs, and the video is just as beautiful as the song itself. Shot in color, it features the band performing against a backdrop of stunning natural scenery. The colors are bright and vibrant, making for a truly trippy experience.

-Simon & Garfunkel – “The Sound of Silence” (1964)
This is one of Simon & Garfunkel’s most famous songs, and the video is just as haunting as the song itself. Shot in black and white, it features footage of New York City intercut with footage of Simon & Garfunkel performing live. The overall effect is one of melancholy and nostalgia.

-The Mamas & The Papas – “California Dreamin'” (1966)
This is one of The Mamas & The Papas’ most famous songs, and the video is just as dreamy as the song itself. Shot in color, it features footage of California intercut with footage of The Mamas & The Papas performing live. The overall effect is one of warmth and nostalgia.

The Best Folk Rock Music Videos from the 70s

Some of the most iconic and influential music videos of all time were created in the 1970s. Folk rock artists were at the forefront of this new medium, using it to create visually stunning and politically charged videos that spoke to a generation. Here are some of the best folk rock music videos from that decade.

“The Weight” by The Band

“The Times They Are A-Changin'” by Bob Dylan

“Willin'” by Little Feat

“Leavin’ Trunk” by Taj Mahal

“I Shall Be Released” by The Band

The Best Folk Rock Music Videos from the 80s

The 1980s saw the advent of music videos, and with them, a new way for bands to reach their fans. The best music videos of the decade took advantage of the new medium to create unforgettable visuals that accompanied some of the most iconic songs in history.

Folk rock music has always been about bridging the gap between traditional and modern music, and the best music videos from the 1980s reflect that. From R.E.M.’s surreal stop-motion animation video for “Losing My Religion” to Talking Heads’ quirky performance-art piece for “Once in a Lifetime,” these folk rock videos pushed the boundaries of what was possible in the new medium.

Here are 10 of the best folk rock music videos from the 1980s:

1. R.E.M. – “Losing My Religion” (1991)
2. Talking Heads – “Once in a Lifetime” (1981)
3. Bruce Springsteen – “Born in the U.S.A.” (1984)
4. Neil Young – “Rockin’ in the Free World” (1989)
5. Bob Dylan – “Subterranean Homesick Blues” (1965)
6. The Pogues – “Fairytale of New York” (1987)
7. Elvis Costello & The Attractions – “Oliver’s Army” (1979)
8. The Waterboys – “The Whole of the Moon” (1985)
9. Joy Division – “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980)
10. U2 – “I Will Follow” (1981)

The Best Folk Rock Music Videos from the 90s

Folk rock is a musical genre that combines elements of folk music and rock music. In its earliest form, it was created by fusing the traditional music of people who identified themselves as “folk” with the guitar-based rock of the time. The genre became popular in the 1960s with artists such as Bob Dylan, The Byrds, and Simon & Garfunkel. Later iterations of folk rock would go on to include elements of other genres, such as country (with artists such as The Flying Burrito Brothers and Gram Parsons) and psychedelia (with artists such as The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane).

In the 1990s, folk rock experienced a renaissance with bands like R.E.M., Hootie & the Blowfish, and 10,000 Maniacs leading the charge. These bands brought the genre to a new generation of fans and helped to revitalize it in the process.

Here are some of the best folk rock music videos from the 1990s:

1) R.E.M. – “Losing My Religion” (1991)
2) Hootie & the Blowfish – “Only Wanna Be With You” (1995)
3) 10,000 Maniacs – “Because The Night” (1993)
4) Emmylou Harris – “Wrecking Ball” (1995)
5) Neil Young – “Harvest Moon” (1992)
6) Bob Dylan – “Make You Feel My Love” (1997)
7) The Wallflowers – “One Headlight” (1996)

The Best Folk Rock Music Videos from the 2000s

There are so many great folk rock music videos from the 2000s. It’s hard to know where to start! Here are ten of the best, in no particular order.

1. “The Keeper” by The Decemberists
2. “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes
3. “Lucrative Friendship” by Tom Waits
4. “I’m Alive” by Billy Bragg
5. “The Ghost of Tom Joad” by Bruce Springsteen
6. “She Moves Through the Fair” by Van Morrison
7. “Cinderella” by Steve Earle
8. “The Boy With the Thorn In His Side” by The Smiths
9. “The Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash
10. “Peaceful, Easy Feeling” by Eagles

The Best Folk Rock Music Videos from the 2010s

The 2010s was a decade that saw a renewed interest in Folk Rock music. This was due in part to the success of bands like Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers. These bands brought the genre to a new audience and helped to revitalize it.

There are many great Folk Rock music videos from the 2010s. Here are some of the best ones:

1) Mumford & Sons – “The Wolf”
2) The Lumineers – “Ho Hey”
3) Of Monsters and Men – “Little Talks”
4) Arcade Fire – “We Used to Wait”
5) Fleet Foxes – “White Winter Hymnal”
6) Iron & Wine – “Boy with a Coin”
7) Beirut – “Elephant Gun”
8) The Decemberists – “Down By The Water”
9) Neko Case – “People Got A Lotta Nerve”
10) Punch Brothers – “I Bring You My Bullets, You Bring Me Your Love”

The Best Folk Rock Music Videos You May Have Missed

If you’re a fan of folk rock music, then you know that there are some great music videos out there. However, you may have missed some of the best ones. Here are four of the best folk rock music videos that you need to see:

1. “The Story” by Brandi Carlile

This music video tells the story of a young girl who is taken from her family and forced into prostitution. It’s a powerful and moving video that will stay with you long after you’ve watched it.

2. “Ain’t No Grave” by Johnny Cash

This music video features footage of Johnny Cash performing the song live, intercut with images of him throughout his life. It’s a touching tribute to one of the most influential musicians of our time.

3. “The Weight” by The Band

This classic song gets a new lease on life in this music video, which features footage of The Band performing live, intercut with scenes from the film “The Big Chill.” It’s a great example of how a classic song can be given new life through creative visuals.

4. “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

This song was originally written as an anthem for those affected by Hurricane Katrina, and this music video does an excellent job of conveying that message. It features footage of Petty and the Heartbreakers performing live, intercut with scenes of people struggling to rebuild their lives after the hurricane.