Folk Rock · GenresWhat is folk rock?
Folk rock is a musical genre, combining elements of folk music and rock music. In its earliest and narrowest sense, the term referred to a genre that arose in the United States and Canada around the mid-1960s.
About folk rock
The sound was epitomized by tight vocal harmonies and a relatively "clean" (effects- and distortion-free) approach to electric instruments epitomized by the jangly sound of The Byrds' guitarist Roger McGuinn. The repertoire was drawn in part from folk sources, but even more from folk-influenced singer-songwriters such as Bob Dylan.
From Last.fm, where 37,629 listeners have tagged music as folk rock.
Artists to start with
Albums to hear first
Highway 61 Revisited
Buffalo Springfield
Ghosts of the Great Highway
Buffalo Springfield Again
The Band
Mr. Tambourine Man
Long May You Run
Everybody ScreamFolk Rock songs
- Stairway to Heaven - Remaster by Led Zeppelin
- Heart of Gold by Neil Young
- Not by Big Thief
- Simulation Swarm by Big Thief
- Out on the Weekend by Neil Young
- Riverside by America
- Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan
- Ballad of a Thin Man by Bob Dylan
- Rainy Day by America
- You're a Big Girl Now by Bob Dylan
Folk Rock on Risocast
Cleopatra (Deluxe Edition)The Lumineers · 2016
CleopatraThe Lumineers · 2016
You Don't Mess Around With JimJim Croce · 1972
Long Lost (Deluxe Edition)Lord Huron · 2022
Turn! Turn! Turn!The Byrds · 1965
Life & TimesJim Croce · 1973
BRIGHTSIDEThe Lumineers · 2022
The Bootleg Series Volumes 1-3 (Rare And Unreleased) 1961-1991Bob Dylan · 1991
The Chain - 2004 RemasterFleetwood Mac · 1977
Never Going Back Again - 2004 RemasterFleetwood Mac · 1977
Neighbouring genres
In the folk & country family. All genres
countryamericanabluegrassalt-countrycountry rockcountry popchamber folkacoustic rockavant-folkdark folkapocalyptic folkcontemporary folkQuestions
- What is folk rock?
- Folk rock is a musical genre, combining elements of folk music and rock music. In its earliest and narrowest sense, the term referred to a genre that arose in the United States and Canada around the mid-1960s. The sound was epitomized by tight vocal harmonies and a relatively "clean" (effects- and distortion-free) approach to electric instruments epitomized by the jangly sound of The Byrds' guitarist Roger McGuinn.
- Who are the best-known folk rock artists?
- By Last.fm listening: The Waterboys, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Big Thief, Bob Dylan, Buffalo Springfield and The Band.
- What genres are similar to folk rock?
- On Risocast it sits with country, americana, bluegrass, alt-country, country rock and country pop.
Risocast is free. Install it once and it logs everything you play.
Updated 6 October 2026
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