Best Celtic Folk Music to Add to Your Playlist
Contents
- Celtic Folk Music Basics
- Best Celtic Folk Music to Add to Your Playlist
- “The Leaving of Liverpool” by The Dubliners
- “The Parting Glass” by The Pogues
- “The Wild Rover” by The Dubliners
- “I’m a Man You Don’t Meet Every Day” by The Dubliners
- “The Galway Girl” by Sharon Shannon
- “The Auld Triangle” by The Dubliners
- “The Rocky Road to Dublin” by The Dubliners
- “The Irish Rover” by The Dubliners
- “The Town I Loved So Well” by The Dubliners
- “Molly Malone (Cockles and Mussels)” by The Dubliners
Looking for the best Celtic folk music to add to your playlist? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of the top Celtic folk songs for you to enjoy.
Celtic Folk Music Basics
Celtic folk music is a genre of folk music that developed in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, and the Isle of Man. It is characterized by its unique instrumentation, vocal style, and traditional subject matter. Celtic folk music has been popularized by many artists over the years, and has become a staple in the folk music genre.
Defining Celtic Folk Music
Celtic folk music is a genre of folk music that developed in Atlantic Europe. It shares similarities with the music of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, and the Isle of Man. Celtic folk music has been influenced by several genres, including rock and roll, country, and classical music.
The term “Celtic Music” is a relatively recent invention, used primarily by record companies and music critics to market the music to a wider audience. In fact, there is no such thing as a single Celtic musical tradition. Rather, there are various traditions which have been influenced by Celtic cultures.
Some of the most popular artists who perform Celtic Folk Music include The Chieftains, Loreena McKennitt, The Corrs, and Great Big Sea.
Celtic Folk Music History
Celtic folk music has a long and rich history. The Celts were a group of people who lived in Europe during the Iron Age and medieval period. They were known for their love of music, which was often used in storytelling and poetry. Celtic folk music draws on this rich tradition, blending traditional instruments with modern influences.
The Celtic folk music scene is particularly vibrant in Ireland and Scotland, where many of the traditional songs and dances have been passed down through generations. In recent years, Celtic folk music has gained popularity in other parts of the world, thanks to its enchanting melodies and infectious rhythms.
If you’re looking to add some Celtic folk music to your playlist, there are plenty of great artists to choose from. Here are just a few of our favorites:
The Dubliners: One of the most iconic Irish folk bands, The Dubliners have been entertaining audiences for over 50 years. Their music is steeped in Irish tradition, with catchy tunes and lively arrangements that will get your toes tapping.
The Pogues: Another legendary Irish folk band, The Pogues are known for their raucous live shows and punk-infused sound. Their songs often deal with themes of love, loss and rebellion, making them the perfect band to listen to when you’re feeling rebellious yourself.
Great Big Sea: A Canadian folk band with a unique sound that blends traditional Newfoundland Folk with modern pop sensibilities. Their upbeat songs will put a smile on your face and leave you craving more.
The Wailin’ Jennys: A trio of talented Canadian singer-songwriters, The Wailin’ Jennys create beautiful harmonies that will stay with you long after the last note has faded away. If you’re looking for some peaceful Celtic Folk Music to relax to, this is the band for you.
Best Celtic Folk Music to Add to Your Playlist
Celtic folk music is one of the most beautiful and unique genres of music. It has a rich history and tradition that has been passed down through the generations. Celtic folk music is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re looking to relax or celebrate. In this article, we’ll share some of the best Celtic folk music to add to your playlist.
“The Leaving of Liverpool” by The Dubliners
The Dubliners are a Irish folk band founded in 1962. The band’s original lineup featured Luke Kelly on vocals and banjo, Barney McKenna on vocals and tenor banjo, Ronnie Drew on vocals and guitar, Ciarán Bourke on vocals and tin whistle, and John Sheahan on fiddle. The Dubliners have released over 30 albums and have been a hugely influential force in the Celtic folk music scene.
“The Leaving of Liverpool” is one of the band’s most well-known songs, and it perfectly captures the pain and nostalgia of emigration. The song is told from the perspective of a sailor who is leaving his home in Liverpool to seek his fortune in America. The sailor knows that he may never see his home or loved ones again, but he takes comfort in the fact that he will always remember them:
“So fare thee well my own true love
And when I return united we shall be
It’s not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me
But my darling when I think of thee.”
“The Parting Glass” by The Pogues
This haunting ballad from the Irish-English band The Pogues is one of the most popular Celtic folk songs of all time. The song is about parting ways with friends, and the lyrics are both sad and beautiful. The Pogues famously performed the song at the funeral of their lead singer, Shane MacGowan, in 2018.
“The Wild Rover” by The Dubliners
The Dubliners are one of the most iconic Celtic folk bands of all time, and “The Wild Rover” is one of their most popular songs. The song is about a man who regrets his life of sin and debauchery, and decides to reform himself by giving up alcohol and women. However, he soon realizes that he cannot live without these things, and so he goes back to his old ways. The song is a great example of the Celtic folk genre, and is sure to get your foot tapping.
“I’m a Man You Don’t Meet Every Day” by The Dubliners
The Dubliners are one of the most iconic and influential Irish folk bands of all time. Formed in 1962, the band has been entertaining audiences for over 50 years with their unique blend of traditional Irish music and ballads. “I’m a Man You Don’t Meet Every Day” is one of their most famous and beloved songs. The upbeat tune is perfect for any Celtic folk music playlist.
“The Galway Girl” by Sharon Shannon
“The Galway Girl” by Sharon Shannon is a lively, traditional Celtic folk song that is perfect for any playlist. The song is about a young woman from the city of Galway in Ireland, and her love for the traditional Irish music and dance. The tune is upbeat and cheerful, and the lyrics are full of Irish wit and charm.
“The Auld Triangle” by The Dubliners
“The Auld Triangle” is a folk song made famous by The Dubliners. It tells the story of Irish prisoners in Mountjoy Jail during the 1916 Easter Rising. The song is sung from the perspective of one of the prisoners, who is looking back on his life and regretting all the choices that led him to his current situation.
The song has been covered by many artists, but The Dubliners’ version is widely considered to be the definitive interpretation. The Dubliners were an Irish folk band formed in 1962, and they quickly became one of the most popular and influential groups in the genre. “The Auld Triangle” is just one of their many classic songs. If you’re a fan of Celtic folk music, this is definitely a track that you need to add to your playlist.
“The Rocky Road to Dublin” by The Dubliners
The Dubliners is a well-known Irish folk band that was founded in the early 1960s. “The Rocky Road to Dublin” is one of their most famous songs, and it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a traditional Celtic folk tune to add to your playlist. The song is about a man who leaves his home in Ireland to go to America, and it’s full of energy and excitement. It’s sure to get your toes tapping and put a smile on your face.
“The Irish Rover” by The Dubliners
“The Irish Rover” is a folk song that tells the story of a ship that sails from Belfast to New Orleans. The ship is lost at sea, but the crew is rescued by an Irish rowing boat. The song is sung in both English and Irish, and it features traditional Celtic instruments like the fiddle and the penny whistle.
“The Town I Loved So Well” by The Dubliners
The Dubliners are one of the most influential and well-known Celtic folk bands of all time. Formed in 1962, the group is composed of five original members: Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna, Ciaran Bourke, John Sheahan, and Ronnie Drew. The band has been through many lineup changes over the years, but these five men were the core of the group throughout their most productive years.
“The Town I Loved So Well” is a song written by Phil Coulter that tells the story of his hometown of Derry in Northern Ireland. The song is a ballad filled with nostalgia and longing for a better time. It’s a beautiful composition that displays the talents of both Coulter and The Dubliners.
“Molly Malone (Cockles and Mussels)” by The Dubliners
“Molly Malone (Cockles and Mussels)” is a traditional Irish ballad about a young woman who works as a fishmonger in Dublin. The song is also known as “In Dublin’s Fair City” and “The Ballad of Molly Malone”. It is believed to have originated in the 18th century, and it has been popularized by many artists over the years, including The Dubliners, who recorded it in 1967. The song is typically played on traditional Irish instruments, such as the tin whistle and the bodhran.
