Bruce Springsteen’s Folk Music Revival

Bruce Springsteen’s Folk Music Revival is a blog dedicated to promoting the best new folk music.

The Revival of Folk Music

In the mid-1960s, Bob Dylan’s going electric marked a watershed moment in the history of folk music. Folk music went from being the dominant American music genre to being eclipsed by rock and roll. In the intervening years, there have been periodic folk music revivals led by artists like Joan Baez, Simon and Garfunkel, and the New Christy Minstrels. The latest folk music revival is being led by Bruce Springsteen.

The early days of folk music

In the early days of folk music, songs were often passed down from generation to generation without being written down. Folk songs were about everyday life and the people who sang them often made up the words as they went along. This made folk music very personal and meant that each singer had their own version of a song.

Folk music was an important part of the cultural life of communities all over the world, but it was especially popular in America. In the early 1900s, folk singers started collecting songs from different parts of the country and sharing them with others. This helped to create a sense of national identity and pride among Americans.

One of the most famous folk singers was Woody Guthrie. He travelled all over America, collecting folk songs and writing new ones about his own life and experiences. His songs spoke to the everyday problems faced by ordinary people, such as poverty and discrimination. Guthrie’s song “This Land is Your Land” has become an American anthem.

In the 1950s, a new type of music called rock ‘n’ roll became popular all over America. This was a commercialized form of African American rhythm and blues music that was played on the radio and on television. It had a strong beat that people could dance to, and it was very different from folk music. For a while, it seemed like folk music might disappear altogether.

But in the 1960s, there was a revival of interest in folk music, led by young musicians like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. They started playing traditional folk songs and writing new ones about social issues such as racism, war, and poverty. Their music inspired a new generation of Americans to stand up for what they believed in.

Folk music has continued to be popular in America ever since. In recent years, musicians like Bruce Springsteen have kept alive the traditions of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan by writing their own songs about the issues that matter to them and their fans

The folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s

In the United States, the folk music revival began in the late 1950s and reached its height in the early 1960s. It led to the rediscovery and performance of folk music from various cultures around the world, and it had a significant impact on the development of popular music.

The folk music revival was a reaction against the perceived conformity of mainstream popular music. It was also a response to the commercialization of rock ‘n’ roll, which many people felt had lost its original spirit.

During the folk music revival, artists such as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez emerged as leading figures. They popularized songs that had previously been known only within traditional folk circles. Dylan, in particular, became known for his political and social commentary.

The folk music revival helped to spark a new interest in traditional folk music from around the world. It also influenced subsequent generations of musicians, including many who would go on to play important roles in the development of rock ‘n’ roll and other genres.

The contemporary folk music scene

In the early 21st century, the term “folk music” has become associated with a wide range of musical genres, including everything from traditional folk to contemporary pop. For many people, the word “folk” conjures up images of dusty old records and quaint country villages. But in recent years, folk music has undergone a major revival, thanks in part to artists like Bruce Springsteen.

Springsteen’s 2011 album “We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions” was a tribute to the great folk singer Pete Seeger, and it sparked a renewed interest in folk music among younger audiences. This resurgence of interest has led to a new wave of folk-inspired bands and artists, ranging from Mumford & Sons to The Lumineers to Of Monsters and Men.

What sets these contemporary folk artists apart from their predecessors is their willingness to experiment with different genres and styles. While traditional folk music is often passed down through the generations, contemporary folk artists are more likely to create their own unique sound by blending different influences. This hybrid approach has resulted in some truly original and exciting music, showing that Folk is very much alive in the 21st century.

Bruce Springsteen and Folk Music

Bruce Springsteen’s The Ghost of Tom Joad was inspired by John Steinbeck’s novel of the same name, and it helped to revive folk music in the 1990s. Folk music is a type of music that is typically passed down from generation to generation. It often has a strong connection to the land and the people who live there.

Springsteen’s early years

Bruce Springsteen’s first album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., was released in January 1973, when he was 23. The record didn’t make much of a splash—initially selling only about 25,000 copies—but Springsteen and the E Street Band started to gain notice for their energetic live shows.

During this period, Springsteen was strongly influenced by the music of Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie; his song “Blinded by the Light” was even mistakenly believed to be a Dylan cover when it first gained radio airplay. In an interview with Rolling Stone in 1975, Springsteen said that folk music had been a major influence on his songwriting: “Early on, I think I was influenced more by folk music than rock & roll … A lot of my songs are based on [the] tradition … you know, evening comes and you sit on your porch and there’s a feeling in the air … And I think that’s what folk music is all about.”

Springsteen’s folk music influences

Springsteen has cited several folk musicians as influences on his songwriting, including Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Bob Dylan. In a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, Springsteen said of Guthrie: “The first song of his I ever heard was ‘Pretty Boy Floyd,’ which my father used to sing. I grew up on Guthrie’s music. When I got to be about 14 or 15 and started playing guitar myself, I began to understand what a good songwriter he was.”

In regard to Seeger, Springsteen has said: “Pete Seeger is probably the single most important figure in postwar American popular music. He is certainly one of the most significant songwriters of the twentieth century and one of the most influential musicians in American history.”

As for Dylan, Springsteen has commented: “I think he is without question the greatest singer-songwriter in the English language that’s ever lived… What he did was bring poetry into rock & roll.”

Springsteen’s folk music revival

In the early 2000s,Bruce Springsteen began to incorporate folk music into his work, with songs like “The Ghost of Tom Joad” and “My City of Ruins.” This marked a change in direction for Springsteen, who had been making rock music for nearly 30 years.

Many fans saw this as a return to Springsteen’s roots, as he had started out playing folk music before moving into rock. Some even argue that this move helped to revive the folk music genre, which was not as popular in the early 2000s as it had been in the 1960s.

Whatever the reason for Springsteen’s move into folk music, it is clear that he has had a significant impact on the genre. His work has inspired other artists to explore folk music, and he has helped to bring the genre to a new audience.

The Future of Folk Music

Folk music has seen something of a resurgence in recent years, with artists like Bruce Springsteen and The Lumineers bringing the genre back into the mainstream. But what does the future of folk music look like? In this article, we’ll take a look at the current state of folk music and make some predictions about where it’s headed.

The continuing popularity of folk music

Folk music has always been popular, with a devoted fanbase that continues to grow. In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in folk music, thanks in part to artists like Bruce Springsteen. Springsteen’s album “We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions” won two Grammy Awards and helped to introduce a new generation of listeners to the genre.

Folk music is often seen as a type of protest music, and it has played an important role in social movements throughout history. Folk songs have been used to fight for civil rights, workers’ rights, and other causes. The genre continues to be an important tool for activists today.

What’s the future of folk music? It’s hard to say, but with its rich history and ability to inspire change, it’s sure to remain popular for years to come.

The future of folk music in the digital age

With the ever-growing popularity of streaming services and the ease of access to a wider variety of music than ever before, it’s no surprise that folk music is seeing a resurgence in popularity. This is particularly true of younger generations who are discovering the genre for the first time.

Digital platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music offer listeners a wide range of folk music to choose from, making it easier than ever to find new artists and tracks to enjoy. What’s more, with the growing popularity of vinyl records, there is also a renewed interest in physical formats too.

This trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, so it’s safe to say that the future of folk music looks bright. There are myriad talented artists emerging all the time, and with the help of technology, they are able to reach a wider audience than ever before. It’s an exciting time for fans of the genre, and there’s plenty to look forward to in the years ahead.