How the Pop Audience’s Perception of Folk Music Has Changed Over Time

Folk music has been around for centuries, but its popularity has waxed and waned over time. How has the pop audience’s perception of folk music changed over time?

The Early Days: The Folk Revival of the 1950s and 1960s

Folk music has undergone a huge transformation since its early days in the United States. The genre has gone from being relatively unknown to becoming one of the most popular genres of music in the world. In the early days, folk music was primarily associated with the working class. It was seen as music for the people and was often used as a tool for political and social change.

The Weavers and the Kingston Trio

The Weavers, who formed in 1948, were one of the first commercially successful folk music groups. Their popularity was due in part to their willingness to experiment with the traditional folk repertoire, as well as to their use of electric instruments, which helped them to appeal to a wider audience. The Kingston Trio, who formed in 1957, were another successful early folk group; their smooth harmonies and clean-cut image helped to make them one of the most popular music acts of the 1960s.

Joan Baez and Bob Dylan

The impact of the folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s was significant, both in terms of the music itself and its place in popular culture. The movement’s most famous exponents, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, rose to prominence during this time, and their influence would be felt for many years to come.

The revival was partly a response to the perceived cultural blandness of the 1950s, with its focus on materialism and conformity. Young people in particular were drawn to the traditional sounds of folk music and its associated values of simplicity and authenticity. The revival also had a political dimension, as many of the songs were concerned with social injustice, poverty, and war.

The 1960s saw a continuation of the folk revival, with Dylan’s move into electric rock spawning a new subgenre known as folk-rock. The folk revival ultimately had a significant impact on popular music as a whole, with its emphasis on songwriting and social commentary influencing artists such as Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Joni Mitchell. In more recent years, there has been something of a resurgence in interest in folk music, particularly among younger audiences.

The Mainstreaming of Folk Music in the 1970s

In the past, folk music was perceived as music for a certain type of audience. It was music that was passed down from generation to generation and was often seen as music for older people. However, in the 1970s, folk music began to be mainstreamed. This means that it was no longer seen as just music for a certain type of audience, but rather it was music that was appreciated by everyone.

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 most popular groups of the 1960s and became counterculture icons of the decade. Their biggest hits—including “The Sound of Silence” (1965), “Mrs. Robinson” (1968), and “Bridge over Troubled Water” (1970)—reached number one on singles charts worldwide.

In 1970, they released their final studio album, Bridge over Troubled Water, which sold more than 26 million copies and was ranked as one of the greatest albums of all time by publications such as Rolling Stone and Time. The duo separated in 1970, after releasing their final album, Simon began a successful solo career, releasing a string of chart-topping albums throughout the 1970s. Garfunkel released several solo albums as well, including two chart-toppers in 1977.

James Taylor and Carole King

The mainstreaming of folk music in the 1970s was spearheaded by two artists who were not folk musicians in the traditional sense: James Taylor and Carole King. While both were supremely talented singer-songwriters, their music was more pop than folk. Nevertheless, their success helped to legitimize folk music in the eyes of the public and paved the way for other folk artists to find mainstream success.

James Taylor’s breakthrough album, Sweet Baby James, was released in early 1970. It featured two of his most successful singles, “Fire and Rain” and “Country Road.” Though neither of these songs is explicitly folk, they both have a rootsy quality that appealed to the pop audience.

Carole King’s Tapestry was released later in 1971 and quickly became one of the best-selling albums of all time. It featured her iconic song “It’s Too Late,” which won four Grammy Awards. Again, while this song is not technically folk, it has a decidedly folksy feel.

The mainstreaming of folk music in the 1970s can be attributed to the success of these two artists. They helped to legitimize folk music in the eyes of the public and paved the way for other folk artists to find mainstream success.

The Rise of Indie Folk in the 1990s and 2000s

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, there was a resurgence in interest in folk music, which was propelled by the popularity of indie rock and the revival of traditional folk music. This was a marked contrast to the way pop audiences had perceived folk music up to that point, which was often dismissive or even negative.

Ani DiFranco and John Prine

Before she was known as the “Queen of the Indies,” Ani DiFranco got her start in the New York City folk scene of the early 1990s. This was a time when artists like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Pete Seeger were still considered the standard-bearers of folk music. But DiFranco’s sound was something entirely new — a mix of folk, rock, jazz, and hip-hop that appealed to a wider pop audience. With songs that tackled social and political issues head-on, she quickly became one of the most popular and outspoken voices of her generation.

John Prine is another artist who helped redefine folk music for a new generation. A former mailman from rural Illinois, Prine began writing songs in the late 1960s about the working-class people he knew growing up. His songs were funny, sad, and sometimes brutal in their honesty, but they always had a deep empathy for their subjects. Like DiFranco, Prine found himself connecting with a wider audience in the 1990s and 2000s as his songs resonated with listeners who were looking for something different from the mainstream pop music of the time.

Bright Eyes and Fleet Foxes

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in indie folk music. This genre combines elements of traditional folk music with the indie rock sound. Artists such as Bright Eyes and Fleet Foxes have been at the forefront of this movement.

Indie folk began to gain popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This was due in part to the success of Bright Eyes, an Omaha, Nebraska-based band fronted by Conor Oberst. Bright Eyes’ albums “Fevers and Mirrors” (2000) and “I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning” (2005) were critical and commercial successes, helping to usher in a new era of interest in folk music.

In the years since Bright Eyes’ breakthrough, other indie folk artists have achieved success. Fleet Foxes, a Seattle-based band, released their debut album in 2008 to much acclaim. Their follow-up album, “Helplessness Blues,” was released in 2011 to similar praise. Bon Iver, another indie folk act, won two Grammy Awards for their album “For Emma, Forever Ago” (2007).

The popularity of indie folk has led to a resurgence of interest in traditional folk music. Artists such as The Decemberists and Iron & Wine have found new audiences thanks to their incorporation of elements of indie folk into their sound. As the popularity of this genre continues to grow, it is clear that the influence of Bright Eyes and other early pioneers will be felt for years to come.

The Present Day: The Revival of Folk Music

In recent years, there has been a revival of folk music. Young people are particularly interested in this genre, as it has been seen as a form of protest against the dominant pop culture. Folk music is now more popular than ever, with artists such as Arcade Fire and Fleet Foxes selling out stadiums and selling millions of records.

The Lumineers and Mumford & Sons

In recent years, the pop audience’s perception of folk music has undergone a dramatic shift. No longer confined to the margins of the music industry, folk artists like The Lumineers and Mumford & Sons have found crossover success by appealing to a wider range of listeners.

Whereas folk music was once associated with specific regional cultures, it is now seen as a more universal genre that anyone can enjoy. This change in attitude has led to a renewed interest in folk music, and many fans are now eager to explore its rich history and diversity.

Despite its newfound popularity, folk music still retains its original definition: songs that are passed down from generation to generation, often with different lyrics and melody each time. This makes folk music one of the most unique genres, as each song is a reflection of the culture it comes from.

Whether you’re a fan of The Lumineers or Mumford & Sons, there’s no denying that folk music is enjoying a moment in the spotlight. With its timeless appeal and wide-ranging appeal, it’s easy to see why this genre continues to capture the hearts and imaginations of listeners around the world.

The Head and the Heart and Of Monsters and Men

The Head and the Heart and Of Monsters and Men are two bands that have been at the forefront of the folk music revival in recent years. Both bands have achieved mainstream success, with The Head and the Heart’s 2013 album, Let’s Be Still, debuting at #3 on the Billboard 200 chart and Of Monsters and Men’s 2011 album, My Head Is an Animal, reaching #6 on the same chart.

While The Head and the Heart and Of Monsters and Men both draw from traditional folk influences, they are very different bands. The Head and the Heart is a band of six musicians who all sing and play a variety of instruments, while Of Monsters and Men is a five-piece band with only two vocalists. The Head and the Heart’s sound is more Americana-influenced, while Of Monsters and Men has a more Icelandic sound.

The Head and the Heart was formed in 2009 by Josiah Johnson (vocals, guitar) and Jonathan Russell (vocals, guitar). The band also includes charity Rose Tilney (bass, vocals), Chris Zasche (cello), Kenny Hensley (piano), and Tyler Williams (drums). The band self-released their self-titled debut album in 2010, which they recorded in just four days. The album was re-released by Sub Pop Records in 2011.

Of Monsters and Men was formed in 2010 in Reykjavik, Iceland by Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir (vocals) and Ragnar Þórhallsson (guitar, vocals). The band also includes Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson (drums), Brynjar Leifsson (guitar), Kristján Páll Kristjánsson (bass),and Ragnhildur Gunnarsdóttir(keyboards). The band’s debut album, My Head Is an Animal, was released in 2011 on Universal Republic Records.