The Best Folk Music for Good Vibes
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Looking for some good folk music to put you in a good mood? Look no further than this playlist of the best folk tunes for good vibes. From upbeat anthems to reflective ballads, these songs will lift your spirits and put a smile on your face.
The Different Types of Folk Music
There are many different types of Folk music out there. In this article, we will be discussing the different types of Folk music and which one is the best for good vibes. Folk music can be categorized into four different types: Traditional Folk, Contemporary Folk, Revival Folk, and Neo-Traditional Folk.
Country
Country music is a genre of American popular music that originated in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from the southeastern genre of American folk music and Western music. Blues influences are also notable in country music. In the 1930s, country music developed a distinctive western form.
Early Cowboy songs were called “cowboy ballads”, and were originally intended to be chanted or recited while riding a horse or driving cattle. These cowboy ballads were widely known, and several became pop hits in their own right – “Red River Valley” (made popular by Jimmie Rodgers), “Home on the Range” (a #1 hit for Bing Crosby), “Sitting on Top of the World” (a #1 hit for Les Paul and Mary Ford), “Cool Water” ( popularized by The Sons of the Pioneers) and “Don’t Fence Me In” (a #1 hit for Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters). Several other songs became hits in western movies, which were then adapted as pop hits (“Happy Trails”, made famous by Roy Rogers).
In the 1940s, Country music became increasingly popular in mainstream America due largely to the influence of radio personalities such as Roy Acuff and Chattanooga’s own Moon Mullican, as well as The Grand Ole Opry’s nationwide broadcast on WSM-AM 650 Nashville, Tennessee beginning in 1925. Country music often paralleled the popularity of other genres of music – big band during the 1940s, early rock n’ roll during the 1950s, and so forth.
Indie
Indie folk is a musical genre that originated in the 1990s among singer-songwriters and guitarists influenced by traditional folk music, emerging from a tradition of American and British folk rock. The style is characterized by acoustic guitars, banjo, mandolin, fiddles, and harmonicas, often accompanied by sympathetic strings.
Americana
Americana is a genre of American roots music that incorporates elements of a variety of styles, including country, blues, bluegrass, folk, R&B, rock & roll, and gospel. While Americana has been coined as a catch-all term for “roots music”, it actually developed out of the mid-20th century commercial country music and folk revival movements.Americana music is often described as a “patchwork quilt” of various musical styles and influences with no one style predominating.
Whereas country music used to be about rural life and values, Americana is more about articulating the experience and values of America’s working class. It’s about real people striving to make authentic connections in an increasingly complex and disconnected world. The best Americana songs are the ones that capture the heart and soul of the American experience.
One of the most celebrated Americana artists is Bob Dylan, who was heavily influenced by the greats of both country and folk music. His songs “The Times They Are A-Changin’” and “Like a Rolling Stone” are considered two of the most important and influential songs in the genre. Other important Americana artists include Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Ryan Adams, and John Mellencamp.
The Best Folk Music for Good Vibes
Folk music has been around for centuries and has been used to express a wide range of emotions. Folk music is often based on traditional music and uses simple instruments like guitars and drums. The lyrics of folk songs are usually about real-life experiences and are often very relatable. Folk music has a way of making you feel good and can be a great pick-me-up on a bad day.
The Head and the Heart – “Lost in My Mind”
The Head and the Heart’s “Lost in My Mind” is the perfect folk song for when you need a good boost. The lyrics are about being lost in thought and forgetting about the world around you, but the upbeat tempo and catchy melody make it impossible to stay sad for long. This song is sure to put a smile on your face and get your feet tapping.
The Lumineers – “Ho Hey”
“Ho Hey” is a song by American folk rock band the Lumineers. It was released on June 4, 2012, as the lead single from their debut studio album, The Lumineers. The song is based on lead singer and guitarist Wesley Schultz’s break-up with an ex-girlfriend. “Ho Hey” peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.
In 2013, the song won Song of the Year at the Americana Music Awards.
Mumford & Sons – “The Cave”
“The Cave” is a song by the English rock band Mumford & Sons. It was released on 11 January 2011 as the lead single from their debut studio album Sigh No More (2010). The song entered the UK Singles Chart at number 3 and peaked at number 2 on the Irish Singles Chart. In October 2011, the song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Song of the Year.
The song’s lyrics are about “facing our demons” in order to move on from them. The cave mentioned in the title is a metaphor for these demons.
The song was inspired by a dream that lead singer Marcus Mumford had about his father. In the dream, his father was trying to save him from a cave that was collapsing.
The music video for “The Cave” was directed by Sam Jones and shot in Los Angeles, California. It features the band performing the song in a desert landscape.
Why Folk Music is Good for Your Mood
Folk music has been shown to be beneficial for your mood. The simple, acoustic sounds of folk music can help to relax and destress you. Folk music has also been linked to increased positive emotions, including happiness, joy, and contentment. If you’re looking for some good vibes, put on some folk music and enjoy the good vibes!
It’s Relaxing
Folk music has been shown to be a great way to relax and take your mind off of stressors. A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that people who listened to folk music had significantly lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, than those who didn’t listen to music at all. Cortisol levels were also lower in those who listened to other genres of music, but not as lower as they were for those who listened to folk.
So if you’re looking for a way to unwind after a long day, or want some background noise while you work that won’t make you want to pull your hair out, put on some folk music and let it do its thing.
It’s Uplifting
Folk music has been shown to be extremely uplifting. A study done in 2006 showed that people who listened to folk music had a decrease in cortisol, which is the hormone associated with stress. In fact, the participants in the study had a 20% decrease in cortisol after listening to folk music for just 30 minutes! Folk music has also been shown to increase dopamine levels, which is the “feel good” hormone. So next time you’re feeling down, try listening to some folk music, and you just might find yourself feeling better in no time.
It’s Nostalgic
Nostalgia is one of the main reasons people love folk music. Folk songs often tell stories about real life, which can transport listeners back to a simpler time. The lyrics often paint vivid pictures of the past, which can be very soothing for the soul. Folk music can also remind us of happy times in our lives, which can boost our mood and make us feel good.
