13 best folk songs

Folk songs are a genre of traditional music that has been passed down through generations, often within a particular cultural or regional context. These songs are typically characterized by their oral transmission, simplicity, and the fact that they are reflective of the cultural heritage and everyday life of the communities from which they originate. While folk songs may not be directly related to the genres of pop music or CDs/Vinyl, they have had a significant influence on the development of various musical styles and continue to be appreciated and performed today. Here are some key aspects of folk songs:

  1. Oral Tradition: Folk songs have historically been transmitted orally from one generation to the next. They are not typically written down but rather learned and sung by people within a community.

  2. Cultural Significance: Folk songs often reflect the cultural, historical, and social aspects of a particular group or region. They can tell stories about local customs, events, and traditions.

  3. Variety: Folk songs can vary widely from one region to another and even within communities. They encompass a wide range of styles, themes, and melodies.

  4. Influence on Pop Music: Many elements of folk music, such as storytelling lyrics and acoustic instrumentation, have influenced popular music genres, including folk-rock, country, and singer-songwriter music.

  5. Revival Movements: Folk music has seen various revival movements, particularly in the 20th century, with artists and enthusiasts rediscovering and popularizing traditional folk songs.

  6. Recording on CDs/Vinyl: While folk songs were originally shared orally, they have also been recorded and preserved on CDs and vinyl records, allowing a wider audience to access and enjoy these cultural treasures.

  7. Prominent Folk Artists: There have been renowned folk artists and groups, such as Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Pete Seeger, who have played a pivotal role in popularizing folk music and bringing it to a broader audience.

  8. Contemporary Folk Music: Folk music continues to evolve, with contemporary folk artists creating new compositions that draw from traditional folk elements while incorporating modern influences.

In summary, folk songs are an important part of cultural heritage, characterized by their oral transmission and reflection of the customs and traditions of various communities.While not directly related to the pop music genre or CDs/Vinyl, folk music has left an indelible mark on the broader music landscape and remains a vibrant and influential genre in its own right.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best folk songs on the market
  

Folk Songs of England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales: Piano/Vocal/Guitar (PIANO, VOIX, GU)

Alfred Music

Based on 42 reviews Check latest price

The Golden Age of American Popular Music - The Folk Hits From the Hot 100: 1958-1966

Ace (Label)

Based on 198 reviews Check latest price

Product description

This collection was compiled out of just about every folk hit to reach Billboards Top 100 during a time in which folk music was regarded as a form of light entertainment and not the means of political and personal expression that it has become. This 28 track compilation features folk hits such as "Walk Right In" by the Rooftop Singers, "If I Had a Hammer" by Peter Paul and Mary, "Greenback Dollar" by the Kingston Trio, "Lizzie Borden" by the Chad Mitchell Trio and more.

Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read and Play (CHANT)

Boosey & Hawkes Inc

Based on 33 reviews Check latest price

Complete Folksong Arrangements: 61 Songs for Medium/Low Voice

Boosey & Hawkes Inc

Based on 26 reviews Check latest price

American Ballads and Folk Songs (Dover Books on Music)

Dover Publications

Based on 60 reviews Check latest price

Original American Folksongs / Various

Membran

Based on 47 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Limited 10 CD box set. These 160 songs all come from a time when music was made for the listeners' enjoyment only. At that time, the commercial success played only a small role. Only a few years later, covers of many of these songs became hits in the Pop, Country & Western and Rock 'n' Roll charts. Here, you can listen to the original songs, presented by the stars of their time including Woody Guthrie, Burl Ives, Pete Seeger, the Weavers, the Sons of the Pioneers, the Carter Family and Joan Baez. Doc.

American Folk Songs: To Sing, Read and Play (CHANT)

Boosey & Hawkes Inc

Based on 71 reviews Check latest price

Complete Folksong Arrangements: 61 Songs for High Voice

Boosey & Hawkes Inc

Based on 20 reviews Check latest price

American Folk Songs for Children

Music Sales

Based on 28 reviews Check latest price

The Folksong Fake Book: (Fake Books)

Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation

Based on 115 reviews Check latest price

Great Family Songbook: A Treasury of Favorite Show Tunes, Sing Alongs, Popular Songs, Jazz & Blues, Children's Melodies, International Ballads, Folk ... Jingles, and More for Piano and Guitar

Black Dog & Leventhal

Based on 447 reviews Check latest price

American Folksongs for Easy Guitar (GUITARE)

Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation

Based on 31 reviews Check latest price

Folk Years: Blowin' in the Wind / Various

Time Life Records

Based on 99 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Folk Years: Blowin' In The Wind (2cd) Folk Years: Blowin' In The Wind (2CD)

Latest Reviews

View all