What kind of image comes to mind when you hear the term “folk song”? Some of you might think of singer-songwriters performing solo with an acoustic guitar, or perhaps consider it somewhat old-fashioned music.
Originally derived from traditional styles like folk and ethnic music, folk songs have evolved across eras and continue to be loved to this day.
This time, we’ve researched and selected a wide range of folk songs, from classic masterpieces to recent hits! We hope you’ll find a new favorite.
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Folk Songs in Western Music: Classic Folk Masterpieces and Recommended Popular Tracks (1–10)
Young FolksPeter Bjorn & John
This song titled “Young Folks” is by the Swedish rock band Peter Bjorn and John.
You might recognize the whistled intro, which was used in commercials in Japan.
However, despite the title, it isn’t a folk song in the conventional sense.
That said, given the title “Young Folks,” it might be worth reconsidering what “folk” can mean.
Why not dig a little deeper and have some fun with it?
The Times They Are A-Changin’Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan, a legend of the folk world who won the Nobel Prize in Literature as a musician and left his mark not only on the history of world music but also on literary history.
His songs are all warm and deeply human.
Released in 1964, the year after his signature song Blowin’ in the Wind, The Times They Are A-Changin’—known in Japanese as Jidai wa Kawaru—also encapsulates his appeal.
You can simply lose yourself in the melody, cover it if you play acoustic guitar, or unravel the meaning of the lyrics.
He is an indispensable, paramount figure when it comes to talking about folk music.
Is It Wicked Not to Care?Belle & Sebastian
Belle and Sebastian are a rock band from Scotland.
Their song “Is It Wicked Not to Care?” foregrounds electric guitar and synthesizer, yet it’s a beautiful track with a bucolic, folk-rock feel.
They’re a band with many fans in Japan, and you can kind of see why—the gentle ensemble suits Japanese landscapes well.
Beyond this, they’ve also recorded songs covering Bob Dylan, showing their respect for folk.
“Is It Wicked Not to Care?,” included on their third album released in 1998, features early member Isobel Campbell on vocals, letting you enjoy her clear, translucent voice.
This Land Is Your LandWoody Guthrie
When it comes to talking about folk music, the most famous legend is, of course, Bob Dylan.
But before Bob Dylan arrived on the scene, it was Woody Guthrie who began singing folk songs.
One hallmark of folk is its anti-war and socially conscious themes, and Guthrie started singing about society during the Great Depression of the 1930s, spreading those ideas widely.
He won popularity among the working class and helped establish folk music as something the nation listened to.
Please enjoy the roots of that classic folk tradition.
RivermanNick Drake
Nick Drake was a folk musician who was active in the UK from the late 1960s.
The folk boom spread from the United States to the rest of the world, including Japan.
While British folk hasn’t been particularly mainstream in Japan, there are many outstanding musicians, and he was one of them.
Though his musical career was not long—he died at the young age of 26—he created many masterpieces.
His song Riverman is known as a gem with understated guitar and string arrangements that carry a certain sadness and a floating sense of melancholy.
Personally, I’d recommend him to fans of early Quruli.
The Sound of SilenceSimon&Garfunkel
A song by the folk duo Simon & Garfunkel, who were active in the 1960s.
Since it’s famous worldwide, many people have probably heard it at least once.
It begins with a melancholic acoustic guitar arpeggio, and the vocal harmonies instantly draw you into the world of the song.
The finely balanced, soothing choral work allows the piece to stand on its own with just acoustic guitar accompaniment, making it a quintessential folk song that greatly influenced later generations of folk singers.
Should Have Known BetterSufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens, a singer-songwriter active in the 2010s, is a cutting-edge folk singer who truly carries the bloodline of folk music.
His 2015 piece “Should Have Known Better” is widely hailed as one of the finest works of his career.
Above all, the song pairs the dry, weathered sound of the guitar with his husky vocals, resulting in a track that feels lonely yet warm.
The synthesizer refrain also has a certain nostalgia, reminding us of the beauty of simple, unadorned music.