List Of American Folk Songs
On The Acoustic

Ain't No More Cane is an older song from The Band with Bob Dylan dating back to the released of their 1975 album The Basement Tapes.

Amos Lee performs this song in concert but to my knowledge never recorded the track on one of his own albums.

Arms Of A Woman is a track from the debut album of Amos Lee which was released back in 2005.

The song was never released as a single.

Supply And Demand hail from the 2006 album of the same name.

This song was never released as a single.

Sweet Pea is a track from Amos Lee's 2nd album from 2006 entitled Supply And Demand.

This track was never released as a single.

Violin hails from the 2011 Amos Lee album Mission Bell.

This track was never a single release.

Windows Are Rolled Down is a track from Amos Lee's 2011 album Mission Bell.

City Of New Orleans was written by Steve Goodman and recorded by many artists down through the years including Arlo Guthrie, Willie Nelson and others. This was Arlo Guthrie's only top 40 hit when it was released from his 1972 album Hobo's Lullaby.

I'm singing this one in the key of A with a capoed 2nd fret. The chord I'm using are G, D, Em, C, Bm, D7, Em/D, Asus2/Db and an F. You can use a root down up root up down up rhythm pattern and put a bit of a picking break in here but not required.

Last To Leave appears on Arlo Guthrie's 1974 album titled Arlo Guthrie.

The song was never released as a single.

Oklahoma Hills was a Woody Guthrie song and in 1945 became a hit when Jack Guthrie (Woody's cousin), re-wrote the song. Arlo Guthrie recorded his version for his 1969 album Running Down The Road.

He never released the song as a single.

St James Infirmary is a tune from New Orleans that Arlo Guthrie put on a Live album from 2007 called In Times Like These.

To my knowledge he never released the song as a single but played it often in concert tours.

Clay Pigeons is a track found on Blaze Foley's 1989 album Live At The Austin Outhouse.

This is one of his most well known songs.

If I Could Only Fly is a track found on the 1989 album by Blaze Foley entitled Live At The Austin Outhouse.

Foley was shot to death that same year at the age of 39.

Anticipation is the title track from Carly Simon's second studio album, released in 1971. The song was written by Carly Simon herself. 

The song  was released as a single and reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1971.

The track captures the feeling of longing and excitement for something yet to come. It reflects on the anticipation of future events and the emotions that accompany the wait.

There wasn't an official music video produced for "Anticipation," as it was released before the era when music videos became common.

Let the River Run is from the soundtrack of the 1988 film "Working Girl." Carly Simon wrote tjis number as well.

It was released as a single and reached No. 49 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1989. It also won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.

"Let the River Run" is an uplifting anthem about empowerment and embracing change. It celebrates the power of individuality and the courage to pursue dreams.

A music video was produced for "Let the River Run." It features Carly Simon singing and various scenes from the film "Working Girl."

The Right Thing to Do is from Carly Simon's third studio album, "No Secrets," released in 1972 and was written by Carly Simon.

The track was released as a single and reached No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1973. 

"The Right Thing to Do" is a heartfelt song about the complexities of love and relationships. It explores the struggle of making difficult choices and navigating the sometimes blurred lines between right and wrong.

There was no official music video made for "The Right Thing to Do" during its release.

You're So Vain is from Carly Simon's album "No Secrets," released in 1972 and once again was written by Carly Simon.

It was released as a single and became a massive hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1973.

"You're So Vain" is a famous song about a self-absorbed lover. The lyrics leave the subject of the song open to interpretation, leading to speculation about whom it might be written about.

A music video was produced for "You're So Vain." It features Carly Simon performing the song and includes various visual elements reflecting the themes and atmosphere of the song.

I Feel the Earth Move is from Carole King's landmark album "Tapestry," released in 1971 and was written by Carole King herself.

The track was released as a single and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1971.

 "I Feel the Earth Move" is an energetic, up-tempo song about the intense emotions experienced at the beginning of a passionate love affair. The lyrics vividly express the excitement and intensity of newfound love.

At the time of its release, music videos were not as prevalent, so there is no official music video for "I Feel the Earth Move."

It's Too Late is also from Carole King's album "Tapestry" (1971) and again was written by Carole King in collaboration with lyricist Toni Stern.

The song was released as a single and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1971.

 "It's Too Late" is a poignant breakup song that reflects on the end of a romantic relationship. The lyrics express the realization that the love is over and the acceptance of moving on.

Similarly, no official music video was produced for "It's Too Late."

Pleasant Valley Sunday was recorded by The Monkees, but it was written by Carole King and her frequent collaborator Gerry Goffin. It appears on The Monkees' album "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd." released in 1967.

Carole King did record her version for the 2005 album The Living Room Tour, but she never released the song herself as a single.

It was released as a single by The Monkees and reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1967.

Smackwater Jack is from Carole King's album "Tapestry" (1971) and was co-written by Carole King in collaboration with lyricist Gerry Goffin.

"Smackwater Jack" was not released as a single by Carole King, it gained popularity when covered by the band The Jackson 5 in 1971.

The song tells the story of a fictional character named Jack who resorts to violence and meets a tragic end. The song serves as a cautionary tale against using violence to solve problems.

No official music video was created for "Smackwater Jack.

So Far Away is from Carole King's album "Tapestry" (1971) and was written by Carole King.

The track was not initially released as a single but has become one of Carole King's most beloved and enduring songs. It has been covered by various artists over the years.

"So Far Away" expresses a sense of longing and homesickness. The lyrics reflect the feeling of being separated from loved ones and the yearning for their presence.

No official music video was made for "So Far Away."

Cannonball was a single from the O debut album from Damien Rice back in 2002.

The song reached #9 in the UK and #13 in Ireland. The song was re-released several times.

One (a U2 song) was covered by Damien Rice for a movie called The Impossible.

I can

American Pie was a single back in 1971 from the album of the same name and was written by Don McLean. In the song McLean makes ref to the Buddy Holly plane crash that killed Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper in Feb 1959.

He also mentions he was a paper boy delivering papers at age 13 in the line "Feb made me shiver ... with every paper I delivered".  

The song was a #1 hit in several countries and was the longest #1 song on the radio (over 8 min) for more than 50 years until Taylor Swift broke that record in 2021 with a 10 min version of "All Too Well".

For rhythm in this one I play a root up down up pattern once you get past the down strokes in the beginning. There is no lead work in this one played in standard tuning using the chords G, D/Gb, Em, Am, C, D7, A7 and a G6.

Bronco Bill's Lament by Don McLean was never released as a single.

It can be found on his 1973 album "Don McLean".

You can play this song in standard tuning using the rhythm pattern root down root up down up. There is also some picking required in this song using the chords G, D/Gb, Em, C, D, A7, B7, G6 and Am.

Castles In The Air was released before American Pie but did not chart in 1971. Ten years later it was released again and did hit the top 10 in Canada and the US.

The track can be found on McLeans debut album "Tapestry".

Play this one with a capo on the 2nd fret but you have no lead work to be concerned with while you play a root up down up root up down up rhythm pattern. The chords in this song are Em, A7, D, Dmaj7, Esus4/D and a G.

Empty Chairs was never released as a single and can be found on the 1971 album "American Pie".

It has become down thru the years, a very popular song by Don McLean.

Another song here played in standard tuning with a few picking riffs throughout while strumming the chords G, G/C, Am, D, D7, D/Gb and Em. For rhythm I'm playing a root up down up and repeat while playing a bit of arpeggio notes during the strumming.

The More You Pay was never released as a single .

It can be found on the 1973 album "Don Mclean".

This one has a few chords in it which include D, C,  Am, F, G, Em, E, Asus2, Bm and Fmaj7 while played in standard tuning. There isn't any lead work and you can get away with a simple root down root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern.

Vincent became a #1 song in the UK in 1972 and was a top 10 in the US, Australia and Canada. My Vincent Don McLean cover has received some positive feedback.

The track can be found on the 1971 album "American Pie".

You have two choices for rhythm in this song. Either a root up down up and repeat will work or in this lesson I'm arpeggio picking a few notes along the way, so I'm not playing a straight rhythm pattern. This one is in standard tuning with the chords G, Am, C, D, D/Gb, Em, D7, Am7, F, E7 and a Cmaj7.

Alone Again Naturally was a single from 1972 released by Gilbert O'Sullivan from his Back To Front album.

The song hit #1 in the US, Canada and France and reached #2 in Australia.

You Are You appears on the 1986 album The Very Best Of Gilbert O'Sullivan.

The song was released as a single back in 1975 and reached #17 in the US and #53 in the UK.

Volcano was a single released by Damien Rice from his debut album O in 2002.

The song charted both in the UK and Ireland at #29.

A Song For You is a track from Parsons 1973 album GP. This album was his solo debut album and he was alive when it was released, but he never saw the released of the 2nd album which had already been recorded. The album failed to chart upon it's release.

The song wasn't written by Parsons, though. It was actually created by Leon Russell, a well-known musician and songwriter. Parsons' version of the song became very popular and helped make it a classic. The lyrics are about love and regret, with the singer talking to someone they care about deeply.

The song is in the key of A so I play it with a capo 2nd fret with the chords F, C, G, Am and D. You can play a 1-2-3 up down up and repeat rhythm pattern for the verses and a root down up root up down up pattern for the chorus. In standard tuning with a little bit of picking required.

In My Hour Of Darkness is a powerful song from Gram Parsons' second and final solo album, "Grievous Angel," released in 1974. Parsons co-wrote this song with Emmylou Harris, who also sang harmonies on the track.

The song is often seen as a tribute to three of Parsons' friends who had died. It has a somber tone but also feels hopeful, which is typical of Parsons' style.

The lyrics talk about finding light in dark times, which some people think relates to Parsons' own struggles. This song is special because it was one of the last Parsons recorded before his own death in 1973, just months before the album came out.

I play this one in standard tuning with the chords G, C, D and D7 but the original key is in F. I use a root down up root up down up rhythm pattern and there is some lead work in this one.

Sin City is a song co-written by Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman, both of whom were members of The Byrds in the late 1960s.

Both left and formed the group The Flying Burrito Brothers and that's when this song was recorded for their first album The Gilded Place Of Sin released in 1969. The song was never released as a single.

You can play a root down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern in standard tuning with the chords D, A7, G and D7. A bit of lead need in this version.

Streets Of Baltimore is a 1966 song written by Tompall Glaser and Harlan Howard which has been covered by many artists. Gram Parsons decided to put his version on his 1973 debut album GP.

Emmylou Harris also sang on this track and album. The song was never released as a single by Gram Parsons. This album was released in Jan 1973 and Gram Parsons overdosed in Sep 1973 at the age of 26.

Breakdown hails from Jack Johnson's 2005 album In Between Dreams.

The song peaked at #2 in the US.

Good People is also a track from the 2005 album In Between Dreams from Jack Johnson.

This track is a protest song but has a positive vibe. The song hit #1 in the US.

Chico And The Man was the theme song for the TV show of the same name and was released as a single in 1975. The song peaked at #96 in the US and #76 in Brazil.

It was put on a 2004 compilation as far as I can tell with 10 other songs.

The chords here are A5, Dmaj7, E7, Dbm, Gb, Bm, E7, Gbm and G with a few riffs in the rhythm in standard tuning. I play a steady down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern.

Hitchcock Railway is from Jose Feliciano's 1968 album Souled.

It was released as a single and reached #77 in the US.

Vincent O'Brien is a track from the 2003 album by M Ward entitled Transfiguration Of Vincent.

The song was never released as a single.

Mingulay Boat Song is a track from Richard Thompson live album from 2009 entitled Live Warrior.

The track was never released as a single.

February Seven is a track from the Avett Brothers 2011 album The Carpenter.

The song was released as a single and peaked at #10 in the US.

Laundry Room is a track found on The Avett Brothers 2009 album called I And Love And You.

Four singles were released from the album but this number was not one of the releases.

Victims Of Life is a track found on The Avett Brothers 2016 album called True Sadness.

They released three singles from the album but this song never made the cut.

Postcards From Hell can be found on The Wood Brothers 2008 album Loaded.

The track was never a single release.