Best 1970s Folk Songs — 70s Folk Music

The best folk songs of the 70s (1970s) — 12 essential tracks from the decade's singer-songwriters, each linked to the album.

All song lists Folk and Singer-Songwriter albums Best Folk and Singer-Songwriter albums of the 1970s Folk and Singer-Songwriter of the 1960s All 1970s songs

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1

S&

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Simon & Garfunkel · from Bridge over Troubled Water (1970)

The closing statement of the decade — piano, voice, and an impossible climax.

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2

S&

The Boxer

Simon & Garfunkel · from Bridge over Troubled Water (1970)

A storytelling masterpiece with a roaring refrain.

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3

CS

Father and Son

Cat Stevens · from Tea for the Tillerman (1970)

A generational dialogue in song.

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4

JT

Fire and Rain

James Taylor · from Sweet Baby James (1970)

Gentle, devastating singer-songwriter craft.

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5

JM

The Circle Game

Joni Mitchell · from Ladies of the Canyon (1970)

The childhood-to-adulthood arc, perfectly condensed.

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6

CS

Wild World

Cat Stevens · from Tea for the Tillerman (1970)

The gentlest kiss-off in the songbook.

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7

JM

A Case of You

Joni Mitchell · from Blue (1971)

The most intimate love song in her catalogue.

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8

JD

Take Me Home, Country Roads

John Denver · from Poems, Prayers and Promises (1971)

The state song West Virginia never officially voted for.

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9

JM

River

Joni Mitchell · from Blue (1971)

Christmas, piano, and longing — the anti-holiday song.

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10

JS

Jesus Was a Cross Maker

Judee Sill · from Judee Sill (1971)

Hymnal beauty from a writer unlike any other.

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11

ND

Pink Moon

Nick Drake · from Pink Moon (1972)

Two minutes of hushed, fragile beauty.

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12

NY

Heart of Gold

Neil Young · from Harvest (1972)

His only US number one, warm and searching.

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