While funk and disco were making waves, folk music thrived during the 1970s. Driven by a singer-songwriter movement and revival in roots/Americana music, folk songs produced an abundance of emotive, poetic pieces for years to come.
Dylan’s distinctive vocals over a rolling acoustic arrangement painted multidimensional portraits of desire and regret in this timeless classic that remains one of the cornerstones of genre evolution.
Diamonds and Rust
At a time when disco and funk music reigned supreme, folk music was quickly losing favor – though some artists persevered and their songs remain poignantly timeless today.
Joan Baez was one such singer-songwriter who released an acoustic ballad called Diamonds and Rust in 1975, offering an insightful exploration of love and loss; its lyrics depicting both romantic relationships ending and their bittersweet aftermath; as well as lamenting counterculture’s declining ideallism.
Though its precise meaning remains obscure, most believe this song to be about Baez and Bob Dylan’s relationship. The lyrics recall specific memories and vivid imagery such as comparing her lover’s eyes to “robin’s eggs”. Additionally, gifts were exchanged, including cufflinks. Finally, the song ends with references to both rust and diamonds — symbolizing both memories that will always stay with us and any discomfort when they go.
Even at its most devastating, this song exudes an almost magical quality. With picaresque scenes such as hangman’s nooses and reapers wielding their blades melded with an ethereal minor-key acoustic drone, creating an atmospheric pre-industrial folklore atmosphere – lyrical nuances and rustic instrumentation making this a timeless folk masterpiece.
Mr. Bojangles
Although folk music had almost died out by 1970, with most artists turning to rock instead for revenue generation, a few artists such as Jerry Jeff Walker kept with it and released an album named Mr. Bojangles which became a big success. It told of a homeless street dancer whom Walker met while in jail and who used the name Mr. Bojangles (no relation to entertainer Bojangles) to hide from authorities; their interaction was the subject of this song; however its tone is darker and sadder than its cheerful title implies.
While Walker’s song was already popular, its popularity skyrocketed when covered by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1971, climbing to number nine on Billboard charts that year. Since then, other artists such as Nina Simone, Cat Stevens, John Denver and Sammy Davis Jr have also covered it over time – showing just how one song can reach so many different audiences over time! Though Walker’s original was widely loved long before that particular version became so beloved.
Operator
Throughout the 1970s, disco was popular and rock was evolving into different genres of modern music. Yet many listeners still appreciated traditional folk songs with meaningful narratives and melodies that had deep historical roots.
Folk artists used folk music to communicate real concerns for world peace and social justice. The genre became widely popular during the mid-to-late 1960s as it aligned itself with hippie culture, becoming a symbol of counterculture movements such as hippie subculture. Bands such as Donovan, Lovin’ Spoonful, Mamas & Papas and Jefferson Airplane all combined elements of folk-rock music into their performances.
Joni Mitchell’s 1971 track Operator stands out as a stunning example of folk into rock. Filled with raw emotions, some believe this song to be about Graham Nash while others claim it was written for Leonard Cohen; either way it stands as an intimate masterpiece with its gentle guitar arpeggios and soulful vocals radiating an aura of post-breakup melancholy melancholia that makes this track one of the most touching love songs ever.
At Seventeen
Janis Ian’s 1975 classic song about teenage suffering and cruelty was an unexpected #3 hit, becoming her signature song and propelling her career. Tina Fey used it in several episodes of 30 Rock as well as in Mean Girls while Anita Kerr and Celine Dion also covered it, among many other artists.
This classic folk tune by an award-winning singer-songwriter remains one of the greatest breakup songs ever written, as its message that love is never too late remains relevant even 50 years later.
Although folk music’s golden age was in the 60s, the 70s produced some truly captivating tunes as well. From Townes Van Zandt’s upbeat “Pancho and Lefty” to John Denver’s powerful “West Virginia”, these 70s songs from folk music remain timeless yet influential to this day – with catchy melodies and powerful lyrics such as those found herein making these tracks their own by so many artists around today.
Wild World
By the mid 1970s, folk music as an earner had all but disappeared as an income source; luckily though, several artists continued to eschew pop/rock mainstream and keep things pure – one such artist being James Taylor whose emotive acoustic ballads about depression and addiction remain deeply moving today.
Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam) may have experienced criticism for the paternalistic lyrics of his 1970 breakthrough hit, “Cat Stevens (I Am) A Stranger Here”, but its timeless folk-pop melody remains beloved; consequently making this classic folk track one of the best-loved in history.
Neil Young made an unexpected switch in 1971 from his early ’70s distortion-laden rock sound towards more subdued, acoustic fare. This 1971 song explores humanity’s uneasy relationship with nature while remaining both poetic and deeply moving.
John Denver wasn’t from West Virginia, yet he still captured its subtle scenic splendor and sense of community with this 1971 folk classic that has become its unofficial anthem. A must-listen for any folk fan. John’s heartbreaking tribute to an old friend who passed from lung cancer is beautifully written; its simple melodic structure and poignant lyrics have cemented its place as a timeless folk classic.
High On The Mountain
Folk music as an economic force had faded by the 1970s, yet the decade still witnessed its artistic height point. Thanks to confessional singer-songwriter movements and revival of roots/Americana music genres, many artists found inspiration for poetic folk songs that touched upon human emotion.
Vince Gill wrote “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” an emotive folk song after the passing of Keith Whitley in 1989. This track depicts life’s difficulties, with its first line serving as an open letter addressed directly to Keith: “I know your life on Earth was troubled / Only you knew the pain.”
Although its lyrics may be tragic, its melody is both soothing and beautiful. James Taylor’s signature harmonies raise its wistful lyrics to rustic folk heights. Inspired by Denver’s love for Colorado, its final stanza pays a touching tribute to its beauty and heritage; now included as part of many church hymnals; performed several major concerts including Mormon Tabernacle Choir concerts. Recently Gill revealed in an interview that he always felt that song wasn’t complete and had recently written another verse to complete its tune.
West Virginia
Folk music’s golden age was in the 1960s, yet 1970s saw an exciting collection of folk tunes as well. Singer-songwriter genre was also on an upward trend during this period with notable artists like Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and Bob Dylan adding their unique voices to traditional folk tracks.
John Denver’s 1971 hit is widely considered to be the definitive folk song about West Virginia, featuring catchy melodies and lyrics that perfectly capture its beauty and sense of community. Due to its immense popularity, West Virginia adopted it as its official state song in 2014.
Merle Travis wrote another timeless country music ballad from the 1970s that features coal miners of West Virginia and Kentucky. Travis specifically mentioned how these mine workers had to live in company-owned housing units and could only spend their pay, known as scrip, at company stores.
Patrick Ward Gainer from West Virginia University made significant contributions to folk music during the ’70s with field recordings that are now held at the West Virginia and Regional History Center and available via their online archive. These recordings include folk songs as well as other forms of folklore that can be found there.