5 Folk Rock Anthems That Defined the 1960s

Folk rock’s heyday was definitely in the 1960s, and there was so much wonderful music in the genre at the time. However, a few songs from that era have come to define 1960s folk rock. And we have to say, they’ve aged pretty well. This list isn’t exhaustive, but we are definitely fans of these five memorable folk rock anthems from the 1960s!

1. “Like A Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan

“Like A Rolling Stone” was released in 1965 and is probably Bob Dylan’s most well-known folk rock anthem. It was the perfect opener for Highway 61 Revisited, and it’s still a deeply loved little piece of 1960s poetry today.

2. “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas & The Papas

A lot of folk rock anthems from the 1960s came straight out of California, and this song is both a product of that and a song of reverence for the Golden State. “California Dreamin’” was released in 1965 by The Mamas & The Papas and is widely considered to be their greatest piece of work. 

Not only is it one of the best folk rock (and sunshine pop) anthems of the era, but it’s also one of the most definitive songs of the counterculture era as well.

3. “The Boxer” by Simon & Garfunkel

A few different Simon & Garfunkel tunes could have made it to this list, but we decided to go with “The Boxer”. 

Released at the tail-end of the 1960s, this stunning folk rock ballad has so many inspirations. It’s Biblical, yet self-referential, and an exploration (or exorcism) of Paul Simon’s anger toward being unfairly criticized as a musician. Yet, the song maintains the duo’s go-to softer sound.

4. “Turn! Turn! Turn!” by The Byrds

This wouldn’t be a decent list of folk rock anthems from the 1960s without mentioning The Byrds at least once. “Turn Turn Turn” was written by Pete Seeger in the late 1950s but gained its fame after it was recorded by The Byrds in 1965.

Like many folk rock songs from this era, “Turn! Turn! Turn!” is packed with Biblical references and is, at its core, a plea for world peace. Everyone during the Vietnam War era was more or less on the same page, so it makes sense why this song blew up the way that it did.

5. “Do You Believe In Magic” by The Lovin’ Spoonful

This is one of those folk rock anthems that just sounds like the 1960s. Few tracks from that time can literally transport you back to 1965, but “Do You Believe In Magic” by The Lovin’ Spoonful does so instantaneously. 

Photo via The Mamas and the Papas’ ‘The Complete Singles 50th Anniversary Collection’ Album Cover 

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