The Best Folk Songs of the 1970s

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

A list of the best folk songs of the 1970s, including classics by Bob Dylan, John Prine, and Gordon Lightfoot.

The best folk songs of the 1970s – an overview

The 1970s were a decade of great change, both in the world at large and in the realm of popular music. Folk music, which had been on the decline since the 1960s, experienced a revival in the early part of the decade, thanks in part to the success of artists like Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel. Other genres, such as country and rock, also began to borrow from folk traditions, resulting in a unique and varied musical landscape.

Some of the best-known folk songs of the 1970s are “The Times They Are A-Changin'” by Bob Dylan, “The boxer” by Simon & Garfunkel, “Take Me Home Country Roads” by John Denver, “Leaving on a Jet Plane” by Peter, Paul & Mary, and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot. These songs are just a few examples of the wealth of great music that came out of this decade.

The top 10 folk songs of the 1970s

The 1970s were a golden age for folk music, with many classic songs being released during the decade. Here are 10 of the best folk songs of the 1970s, in no particular order.

1. “The Times They Are A-Changin'” by Bob Dylan
2. “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
3. “City of New Orleans” by Arlo Guthrie
4. “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot
5. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver
6. “Leavin’ on a Jet Plane” by John Denver
7. “The Boy With the Thorn In His Side” by The Smiths
8. “I’m On My Way” by Richie Havens
9. “Love the One You’re With” by Stephen Stills
10. “Teach Your Children” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

The best folk songs of the 1970s by decade

The 1970s was a decade of change and upheaval in the music world. Folk music was no exception, with a number of new artists emerging and making their mark on the genre. Here are some of the best folk songs of the 1970s, by decade.

The best folk songs of the 1970s by decade:

1970: “The Times They Are A-Changin'” by Bob Dylan

1971: ” Teach Your Children” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

1972: ” The Dance” by Paul Simon

1973: ” The Streets of Philadelphia” by Bruce Springsteen

1974: ” Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin

1975: ” Wrecking Ball” by Emmylou Harris

1976: ” TheWeight” by The Band

The best folk songs of the 1970s by region

There are many great folk songs from the 1970s, but there are regional differences in what is considered the best. In the United States, some of the best-loved folk songs from this decade come from the singer-songwriter movements in California and New York. Northern California was home to a number of great singer-songwriters, including James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, and Jackson Browne. Southern California was also home to a number of great singer-songwriters, including Carole King and Linda Ronstadt.

The New York folk scene was centered around Greenwich Village, and some of the most popular folk singers from this era came from this area. Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Simon and Garfunkel all got their start in Greenwich Village.

In Europe, the best-known folk songs from the 1970s come from Ireland and England. The Irish band The Chieftains had a number of hits in the 1970s, including “Siúil a Rún” and “Boil The Breakfast Early”. English Folk singers Mary Hopkin and Sandy Denny both had hits in the 1970s with their versions of traditional folk songs.

The best folk songs of the 1970s by style

While the 1970s is not remembered as a decade that produced a bounty of great folk songs, there were nonetheless a number of successful and noteworthy folk songs released during the decade. This guide will explore the best folk songs of the 1970s by style, including both traditional and contemporary folk songs.

Traditional Folk Songs
While the traditional folk song genre had begun to decline in popularity in the 1960s, there were still a number of successful traditional folk songs released in the 1970s. Notable examples include Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Boxer”, Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young”, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Teach Your Children”. These songs all achieved commercial success and remain popular to this day.

Contemporary Folk Songs
The contemporary folk song genre began to gain popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with artists such as James Taylor, Carole King, and Joni Mitchell beginning to achieve mainstream success. This trend continued in the 1970s with artists like Fleetwood Mac, John Denver, and The Eagles all releasing successful contemporary folk songs. Notable examples include “Fire and Rain” by James Taylor, “You’ve Got a Friend” by Carole King, and “Desperado” by The Eagles.

The best folk songs of the 1970s by artist

What are the best folk songs of the 1970s? This is a question that many people ask, and it is a difficult question to answer. There are so many great folk songs from this era, and there are many different ways to judge them. One way to judge them is by the artist who wrote and performed them. Here is a list of some of the best folk songs of the 1970s by artist.

Bob Dylan – “The Times They Are A-Changin’”

This song was released in 1964, but it became an anthem for the counterculture movement of the 1960s, and it continued to be popular in the 1970s. The lyrics are about social change, and they are still relevant today.

Simon and Garfunkel – “The Sound of Silence”

This song was released in 1964, but it became popular in the 1970s when it was used in the film “The Graduate.” The lyrics are about loneliness and isolation, and they are still relevant today.

John Lennon – “Imagine”

This song was released in 1971, and it quickly became an anthem for peace and love. The lyrics are about a world without war, hunger, or hatred. This song is still relevant today.

The best folk songs of the 1970s by album

The following is a list of the best folk songs of the 1970s by album. The list includes both studio and live albums.

The best folk songs of the 1970s by album:

1. “The Band” by The Band
2. “Desert Island Discs” by Sandy Denny
3. “Genesis” by Peter Gabriel
4. “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” by The Smashing Pumpkins
5. “Blood on the Tracks” by Bob Dylan

The best folk songs of the 1970s – a critical analysis

The 1970s was a decade of change and turmoil, both in the wider world and in the world of folk music. In this article, we take a look at some of the best folk songs of the decade, and critically analyze what made them so special.

One of the defining characteristics of folk music in the 1970s was its political edge. This was a time of great social upheaval, and many folk songs reflected the zeitgeist of the times. One of the most famous examples is Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’”, which perfectly captures the sense of optimism and change that was in the air during the early part of the decade.

However, not all folk songs were so positive – many were actually quite dark and pessimistic. This was especially true in the later years of the decade, as economic hardship and political turmoil took their toll on people’s optimism. Songs like Leonard Cohen’s “ Suzanne” and Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” perfectly capture this sense of disillusionment.

What all these songs have in common is that they are all incredibly well-crafted and original. They stand out from other songs of their era because they are able to perfectly capture a moment or a feeling in time. If you are a fan of folk music, or just looking for some great music from a bygone era, then these are definitely worth checking out.

The best folk songs of the 1970s – a personal reflection

The 1970s was a great decade for folk music. It was a time when the genre was enjoying a huge resurgence in popularity, thanks to the likes of Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, and Joni Mitchell.

There were also many excellent folk songs released during the decade, by both established artists and newcomers. Here, then, are ten of the best folk songs of the 1970s, in no particular order.

1. “The Times They Are A-Changin'” by Bob Dylan
2. “The Boxer” by Simon and Garfunkel
3. “Fire and Rain” by James Taylor
4. “Yesterday” by The Beatles
5. “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot
6. “American Pie” by Don McLean
7. “The Boy With the Thorn In His Side” by The Smiths
8. “I’m Not Sayin'” by Gordon Lightfoot
9.”The Weight” by The Band
10.”Masters of War” by Bob Dylan

The best folk songs of the 1970s – an appreciation

The 1970s was a great decade for folk music, with many artists releasing songs that have gone on to become classics. Here, we take a look at some of the best folk songs of the 1970s, from both well-known and lesser-known artists.

One of the most famous folk songs of the 1970s is “The Times They Are A-Changin’” by Bob Dylan. Released in 1964, the song became an anthem for the counterculture movement and Dylan himself became known as the voice of a generation. Another classic folk song from the 1970s is “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot. The song, which was released in 1976, is based on the true story of a ship that sank in Lake Superior in 1975, with all hands lost.

For those looking for something a little different, there are also many lesser-known but equally excellent folk songs from the 1970s. “Hey Nelly Nelly” by Galt MacDermot is a great example – a catchy tune with an infectious beat that is sure to get stuck in your head. “Wild Mountain Thyme” by Robin Williamson is another excellent choice, with its beautiful lyrics and gentle melody.

So whether you’re looking for a classic or something new to discover, there are plenty of great options when it comes to the best folk songs of the 1970s.

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