The Best Folk Music of the 1960s

A look at the best folk music of the 1960s, including artists like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Simon & Garfunkel.

The Best Folk Music of the 1960s

If you’re a fan of folk music, then you need to check out the best folk music of the 1960s. This was a time when the genre was really starting to take off, and there are some fantastic songs from this era. In this article, we’ll count down the 10 best folk songs of the 1960s.

The Best Folk Albums of the 1960s

The 1960s was a decade of profound change in American music. The folk music revival began to take hold, resulting in the release of a number of great folk albums. Here are ten of the best folk albums of the 1960s.

1. The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan – Bob Dylan (1963)
2. Bringing It All Back Home – Bob Dylan (1965)
3. Highway 61 Revisited – Bob Dylan (1965)
4. Blonde on Blonde – Bob Dylan (1966)
5. The Byrds (1968)
6. Sweetheart of the Rodeo – The Byrds (1968)
7. Will the Circle Be Unbroken – The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1972)
8. Old Hearts Rejoice – Jody Williams (1964)
9. Newport Folk Festival 1963 – Various Artists (1963)
10. Folk Scene USA – Various Artists (1966)

The Best Folk Songs of the 1960s

The 1960s were a golden era for folk music. With the rise of Dylan and The Beatles, the genre exploded in popularity and many incredible folk songs were written and recorded in those 10 years. Here are 10 of the best.

1. “Blowin’ in the Wind” by Bob Dylan
2. “The Times They Are A-Changin'” by Bob Dylan
3. “Mr. Tambourine Man” by Bob Dylan
4. “Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan
5. “I Shall Be Released” by Bob Dylan
6. “All Along the Watchtower” by Bob Dylan
7. “The Weight” by The Band
8. “The Boy With the Thorn In His Side” by The Smiths
9. “I’m Your Puppet” by James and Bobby Purify
10. ” walking down the line”

The Best Folk Musicians of the 1960s

The 1960s was a decade filled with great change, and the music of the time reflected that. The folk music scene was no exception. Many great folk musicians came to prominence during the 1960s. Here are some of the best.

Joan Baez

Joan Baez is an iconic figure in the history of folk music. A highly influential singer and songwriter, she played a vital role in the folk revival of the 1960s and helped to popularize the genre. Her music is characterized by its simplicity, its focus on social and political issues, and its beautiful melodies.

Baez began her career in the late 1950s, when she was discovered by folklorist Alan Lomax. She soon became one of the most prominent performers on the folk scene, appearing at clubs and festivals throughout the country. In 1960, she released her debut album, Joan Baez, which featured a number of traditional folk songs. The album was a huge success, and Baez quickly became a star.

Over the next few years, she released a string of highly acclaimed albums, including Joan Baez in Concert (1962), Joan Baez in Concert Part 2 (1964), and Farewell, Angelina (1965). In 1966, she collaborated with Bob Dylan on his classic album Blonde on Blonde. The following year, she released one of her most famous albums, David’s Album.

Baez continued to release albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, but her output slowed down in the 1990s and 2000s. In recent years, she has appeared at a number of benefit concerts and political rallies. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, artist and writer. He has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s, when songs such as “Blowin’ in the Wind” (1963) and “The Times They Are a-Changin'” (1964) became anthems of the civil rights movement and anti-war movement. His lyrics during this period incorporated a wide range of political, social, philosophical, and literary influences, defied pop music conventions and appealed to the burgeoning counterculture.

Dylan’s early songs such as “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are a-Changin'” became anthems of both the civil rights movement and the anti-war movement. In 1965, he released his energetic rock album Bringing It All Back Home, featuring electric guitar on half of its tracks; including “Subterranean Homesick Blues”, one of his most famous singles. In July 1966 Dylan withdrew from touring after suffering a debilitating back injury during a motorcycle accident. During this period he recorded a large body of songs with members of The Band, who had previously backed him on tour; these recordings were released as The Basement Tapes in 1975.

Simon and Garfunkel

Simon and Garfunkel were an American folk rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They were one of the best-selling music groups of the 1960s and became counterculture icons of the decade. Their biggest hits—including “The Sound of Silence” (1965), “Mrs. Robinson” (1968), “Bridge over Troubled Water” (1970)—reached number one on singles charts worldwide.

The Influence of Folk Music in the 1960s

The 1960s was a decade of great political and social turmoil. In the midst of all this, folk music emerged as a powerful force, influencing both popular music and the counterculture. Folk music was a way for people to express their dissatisfaction with the status quo and their yearning for a better world. It wasn’t always happy music, but it was always honest.

The Civil Rights Movement

The civil rights movement of the late 1950s and early 1960s was a political struggle to end discrimination against African Americans and secure their Constitutional rights as U.S. citizens. Many people were active in the movement, including black and white Americans, students, religious leaders, and politicians. One important aspect of the civil rights movement was its music. Folk songs were used to spread themessage of equality and protest injustice. The best folk music of the 1960s captured the spirit of the civil rights movement and helped bring about social change.

The Vietnam War

Folk music played an important role in the 1960s, particularly during the Vietnam War. Folk singers and songwriters were able to capture the frustration, anger, and hope of a generation of young Americans who were caught up in a war they did not understand.

The most famous folk song of the 1960s was “We Shall Overcome” by Pete Seeger. This song became an anthem for the civil rights movement and was sung at protest rallies and marches across the country.

Other popular folk songs of the 1960s included “Blowin’ in the Wind” by Bob Dylan, “The Times They Are A-Changin'” by Bob Dylan, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” by Pete Seeger, and “Turn! Turn! Turn!” by Pete Seeger.

The folk music of the 1960s helped to shape a generation and give voice to a generation of young Americans who were searching for answers during a time of tumultuous change.

The Counterculture Movement

The 60s were a time of great change in America. The country was coming out of the Post-World War II era, and folk music was at the forefront of the social and political movements of the time. The so-called “counterculture” movement was in full swing, and folk music played a significant role in its development.

artists like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Phil Ochs were using their music to speak out against the Vietnam War, racism, and social injustice. Their songs were anthems for the Civil Rights Movement and the anti-war movement, and they inspired a generation of young people to stand up for what they believed in.

Folk music also played a significant role in the development of popular culture in the 60s. The Beatles famously covered Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin'” on their 1964 album Another Side of Bob Dylan. This led to a surge in popularity for Dylan’s music, and he went on to become one of the most influential musicians of his generation.

The folk music of the 1960s was a powerful force for change, and its impact is still felt today.