Few things lift the spirit like the warmth of folk rock. Catchy melodies. Honest words. Songs that feel lived in. Over the years, the genre has given us lasting classics like Joan Baez's 'Diamonds and Rust' and Woody Guthrie's 'This Land is Your Land'. These are songs that still feel close, no matter how much time passes.
If you’re building the perfect folk rock playlist, you’re in the right place. The genre keeps shifting and stretching, blending old roots with new voices, and there’s always something worth rediscovering.
Below is a handpicked selection of folk rock staples and modern gems that deserve a place in your rotation. Stick around to the end and you’ll find a link to a full Spotify playlist bringing it all together.
Our Top 10 Picks of the Best Folk Rock Songs For Every Occasion
1. "All I Want" by Logan Ransley
"All I Want by Logan Ransley" was released on January 21, 2026, and it leans into that quiet ache that follows loss. It’s about realising what mattered only after it’s gone. About memory. About love resurfacing when you least expect it.
If this one resonates, there’s more in the same vein. Other folk rock–leaning tracks like “Expectation by Logan Ransley”, “Son by Logan Ransley” and “I Don't Know Where I'm Going by Logan Ransley” sit comfortably beside it.
2. "Diamonds and Rust" by Joan Baez
Released in the mid-1970s, this song captures the strange pull of the past. A late-night phone call. An old love resurfacing. Baez reflects on memory as something both precious and corroded. Beautiful and painful at once. The song famously draws from her relationship with Bob Dylan, a detail explored further in interviews archived by Rolling Stone.
Listen to "Diamonds and Rust" by Joan Baez on YouTube
3. "Goodnight Irene" by Lead Belly
Written in 1933 by Huddie Ledbetter, this song has travelled far. While The Weavers helped bring it to a wider audience, countless artists followed. Versions by Frank Sinatra and Moon Mullican pushed it further into the mainstream. It’s a song that feels shared. Passed hand to hand.
Listen to "Goodnight Irene" by Huddie Ledbetter on YouTube
4. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel
Released in January 1970, this song became the duo’s defining moment. It sat at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks. Since then, it’s been reinterpreted by artists across genres. Rolling Stone even placed it at position 48 in its all-time rankings, cementing its place in music history.
Listen to "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel on YouTube
5. "This Land is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie
Few folk songs are as deeply woven into American culture as this one. Written as a response to patriotic optimism, it carries layers of irony and protest. Over time, it became an anthem for social justice movements. In 2002, it was recognised as a record of American Culture, a reminder of its lasting impact.
Listen to "This Land is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie on YouTube
6. "Last Goodbye" by Jeff Buckley
Released in 1994, this became Buckley’s biggest U.S. hit. It peaked at 19 on the Billboard’s list of Alternative Songs. Originally titled “Unforgiven,” the song blends folk sensitivity with alternative rock. Its music video added another layer, pairing live performance with projected imagery.
Listen to "Last Goodbye" by Jeff Buckley on YouTube
7. "Both Sides Now" by Judy Collins
Collins’ recording in the late 1960s introduced this song to a wide audience. It quickly became one of her most recognised works. Rolling Stone acknowledged its weight when it was listed 170 in the 500 Greatest Songs. It also received a Grammy Award for the Best Folk Performance in 1969. The lyrics still feel quietly relevant.
Listen to "Both Sides Now" by Judy Collins on YouTube
8. "A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall" by Bob Dylan
Written in 1962, this song unfolds through a series of questions and answers, echoing old folk ballads. Dylan touches on themes of war, fear, and environmental damage. Even now, listeners still find new meaning in it, something discussed often in archives like BBC Music. It feels urgent without ever being dated.
Listen to "A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall" by Bob Dylan on YouTube
9. "Early Morning Rain" by Gordon Lightfoot
Written and recorded in 1964, this song captures a quiet moment of longing at an airport runway. Lightfoot once spoke about learning to notice small, human details and turn them into songs, a theme explored in features by NPR Music. It’s understated and deeply human.
Listen to "Early Morning Rain" by Gordon Lightfoot on YouTube
10. "The Mary Ellen Carter" by Stan Rogers
This song has grown into a folk anthem over time. Written as a story of perseverance, it tells of a ship raised from the ocean floor. Many listeners have spoken about how it helped them through difficult moments, a testament to its message. It’s hopeful without being naive.
Listen to "The Mary Ellen Carter" by Stan Rogers on YouTube
Bonus: "Crossroads" by Logan Ransley
Standing at a turning point can feel heavy. “Crossroads by Logan Ransley” sits in that uncertainty. It’s about doubt. Choice. And learning to trust the step you take.
Save the playlist on Spotify!
That’s our take on the best folk rock songs for every mood and moment. Even in 2026, these tracks still feel close and honest. If you discovered something new, or have a favourite you think belongs here, let us know. Share it with friends who love folk rock as much as you do, and keep the music playing.
