By genre

Folk and country songs, explained.

Country and folk are built on storytelling, and the story is often not the one the chorus suggests. Every song here, with its real narrative and its writing credits.

Songs explained

Artists

Folk & Country

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59 songs

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Beyoncé TEXAS HOLD 'EMDiscover the thematic depth, empowering lyrics, and cultural influence of Beyoncé's hit 'Texas Hold 'Em.' Explore its chart success and artistic composition. 2024 Bob Dylan All Along the WatchtowerDiscover the meaning behind Bob Dylan's 'All Along the Watchtower' - from biblical prophecy to Hendrix's transformation. Explore the song's apocalyptic imagery… 2025 Bob Dylan Like a Rolling StoneUnravel the revolutionary meaning of Bob Dylan's 'Like a Rolling Stone.' Explore its scathing lyrics, themes of fallen pride and disillusionment, its… 1965 Bruce Springsteen American LandExplore the powerful narrative, immigrant experience, and vibrant energy of Bruce Springsteen's 'American Land.' Discover its folk roots, social commentary… Carrie Underwood Inside your heavenDive into the inspirational themes and emotional depth of Carrie Underwood's 'Inside Your Heaven.' Discover its chart-topping success, lyrical beauty, and… 2005 Dolly Parton 9 to 5What Dolly Parton's '9 to 5' means: a working woman's anthem written for the 1980 film, the typewriter played on her fingernails, and why… 1980 Dolly Parton JoleneExplore the heartbreaking plea and raw vulnerability of Dolly Parton's 'Jolene.' Dive into its lyrics about jealousy and fear of losing a loved one, its iconic… 1974 Eagles DesperadoDelve into the heartfelt themes, lyrical depth, and cultural legacy of the Eagles' classic 'Desperado.' Explore its lyrics, chart performance, and impact on… Ed Sheeran The A TeamExplore the heartbreaking meaning behind Ed Sheeran's debut single 'The A Team.' A folk ballad about addiction, homelessness, and lost hope. 2011 Ed Sheeran Thinking Out LoudDelve into the heartfelt narrative, enduring love story, and musical brilliance of Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud.' Explore its themes, chart dominance, and… Ella Langley Be HerWhat Ella Langley's 'Be Her' means: envying a woman who is at peace with herself, not one who has more. Credits, the Miranda Lambert production, chart history… 2026 Ella Langley Choosin' TexasAnalyze the lyrics and meaning of 'Choosin' Texas' by Ella Langley. Explore the themes of heartache, homecoming, and choosing roots over romance. Ella Langley Loving Life AgainWhat Ella Langley's 'Loving Life Again' means: recovery arrives through home, memory and stepping back. Its personal origin, Dandelion context and chart climb… 2026 Ella Langley & Morgan Wallen I Can't Love You AnymoreWhat 'I Can't Love You Anymore' by Ella Langley and Morgan Wallen means: a breakup duet between two people who cannot actually separate. Credits, chart history… 2026 Faith Hill There You'll BeExplore the heartfelt message of Faith Hill's 'There You'll Be.' Delve into its lyrics about enduring love, loss, remembrance, and its connection to the film… 2001 Garth Brooks Friends in Low PlacesExplore the ultimate blue-collar anthem 'Friends in Low Places' by Garth Brooks. Dive into its themes of social class, defiance, and finding belonging, its… 1990 Hank Williams I'm So Lonesome I Could CryDive into the meaning and legacy of Hank Williams's iconic track 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry'. Discover its lyrics, historical context, chart success, and… James Blunt Goodbye My LoverDelve into the poignant emotions and heartfelt story behind James Blunt's iconic ballad, 'Goodbye My Lover.' Uncover its themes of heartbreak, loss, and… 2005 James River Hold Back the RiverDive into the evocative storytelling, rich symbolism, and compelling musical composition of James River's hit 'Hold Back the River.' Uncover its lyrics, chart… 2015 John Denver Take Me Home, Country RoadsExplore the heartfelt nostalgia and vivid imagery in John Denver's 'Take Me Home, Country Roads.' Discover its lyrics, chart success, and cultural impact. John Lennon ImagineWhat John Lennon's 'Imagine' means: a political song Lennon said was accepted only because it was sugar-coated. Yoko Ono's Grapefruit, the credit that took 46… 1971 Johnny Cash HurtExplore the poignant exploration of pain, loss, and redemption in Johnny Cash's 'Hurt.' Discover its impactful lyrics, background, and cultural significance. 2002 Johnny Cash I walk the lineExplore Johnny Cash's iconic 'I Walk the Line,' a timeless declaration of love, fidelity, and the struggle against temptation. Delve into its unique… Koe Wetzel & Ella Langley JadedWhat 'Jaded' by Koe Wetzel and Ella Langley means: two damaged people testing whether honesty can get past their defenses. Credits, chart rise and visualizer… 2026 Luke Combs Be By YouWhat Luke Combs' 'Be By You' means: a love song to his wife built on a pun about a bayou. Credits, why he did not write it, chart history and the lyric video… 2026 Luke Combs Sleepless In A Hotel RoomAnalyze the lyrics and meaning of 'Sleepless In A Hotel Room' by Luke Combs. Explore the themes of homesickness, the cost of fame, and finding comfort in phone… Miley Cyrus The ClimbUnpack the inspirational message and soaring melodies of Miley Cyrus's 'The Climb.' Discover its empowering lyrics, chart-topping success, and cultural impact. Morgan Wallen 20 CigarettesAnalyze the lyrics and meaning of '20 Cigarettes' by Morgan Wallen. Explore the themes of loneliness, addiction, and the fleeting nature of temporary comfort. Morgan Wallen Been By NowWhat Morgan Wallen's 'Been By Now' means: a relationship stuck in a holding pattern, and the argument that if it were right it would already have worked… 2026 Morgan Wallen Don't WeWhat Morgan Wallen's 'Don't We' means: a song about leaving a small town and deciding you were wrong. Credits, why track 20 became a No. 1, chart history and… 2025 Morgan Wallen I Got BetterAnalyze the lyrics and meaning of 'I Got Better' by Morgan Wallen. Explore the themes of healing, self-improvement, and the lingering scars of a breakup. Morgan Wallen Just in CaseExplore the bittersweet longing and lingering hope in Morgan Wallen's 'Just In Case.' Delve into its lyrics about unmoving love, the fear of an ex moving on… 2023 Morgan Wallen Last NightExplore the story of a complex, alcohol-fueled relationship in Morgan Wallen's record-breaking hit 'Last Night.' Discover its lyrics, chart dominance, and… Morgan Wallen Love SomebodyDive into the heartfelt storytelling, country roots, and emotional depth of Morgan Wallen's 'Love Somebody.' Discover its lyrics, chart performance, and… 2023 Neil Young Old ManWhat Neil Young's 'Old Man' means: not a song to his father, but to Louis Avila, the caretaker of the ranch Young had just bought — and the question Avila… 1972 Noah Kahan OrbiterWhat 'Orbiter' by Noah Kahan means: a love song about fame's disorientation, with Kahan as the astronaut and his wife as the Moon. The… 2026 Passenger Let Her GoComplete analysis of Let Her Go by Passenger. Explore the profound meaning about regret, taking love for granted, Mike Rosenberg's songwriting, folk-pop… 2024 Patti Page Tennessee WaltzDelve into the heartfelt story and enduring appeal of Patti Page's 'Tennessee Waltz.' Explore its themes, historical context, chart success, and lasting… Paul Simon You Can Call Me AlDelve into the quirky brilliance and infectious rhythms of Paul Simon's 'You Can Call Me Al.' Explore its origins, meaning, chart performance, and cultural… 1986 Post Malone & Morgan Wallen I Had Some HelpExplore the cross-genre 2024 hit 'I Had Some Help' by Post Malone & Morgan Wallen. Dive into the lyrics, production, chart dominance, music video, and more. 2024 Roy Acuff Wabash CannonballExplore the history, meaning, and lasting legacy of Roy Acuff's 'Wabash Cannonball.' Uncover its lyrical journey, musical impact, and enduring popularity. Simon & Garfunkel Bridge Over Troubled WaterDive into the profound meaning and beautiful lyrics of Simon & Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water.' Explore its themes of comfort, support, and emotional… Simon & Garfunkel Scarborough FairDelve into the mystical world of Simon & Garfunkel's 'Scarborough Fair/Canticle.' Explore its haunting melody, rich symbolism, traditional folk roots, anti-war… 1966 Simon & Garfunkel The BoxerExplore the poignant storytelling, powerful symbolism, and timeless legacy of Simon & Garfunkel's classic 'The Boxer.' Discover its lyrics, chart success, and… 1969 Simon & Garfunkel The Sound of SilenceDive deep into the haunting themes of isolation, communication breakdown, and modern alienation in Simon & Garfunkel's masterpiece 'The Sound of Silence.' Simon and Garfunkel Mrs. RobinsonDiscover the poignant themes and cultural significance of 'Mrs. Robinson' by Simon & Garfunkel. Dive into the lyrics, analysis, and impact of this classic song. Simon and Garfunkel Sound of SilenceDiscover the meaning, story, and cultural impact of Simon & Garfunkel's 'The Sound of Silence.' Explore its lyrics, themes of alienation, and why it remains a… Stella Lefty BostonWhat Stella Lefty's 'Boston' means: falling for someone while trying to stay single, a hook about being treated well, and why the song is called Boston… 2026 Taylor Swift I Knew It, I Knew YouWhat Taylor Swift's 'I Knew It, I Knew You' means: written from Jessie's perspective for Toy Story 5, recorded in eight hours, and a deliberate return to… 2026 Taylor Swift You Belong with MeUncover the heartfelt story and relatable themes of Taylor Swift's 'You Belong with Me.' Dive into its lyrics, music video, and lasting impact on pop culture. 2008 The Animals House of the Rising SunDive into the meaning and legacy of The Animals's iconic track 'House of the Rising Sun'. Discover its lyrics, historical context, chart success, and cultural… The Beatles BlackbirdDive into the profound themes of hope and freedom, historical context, and musical composition of The Beatles' 'Blackbird.' Explore its lyrics, cultural… 1968 The Beatles Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)Discover the meaning, themes, and cultural context behind “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” by The Beatles. The Eagles Take It EasyDive into the laid-back vibes and lyrical themes of 'Take It Easy' by The Eagles. Explore its history, musical composition, and cultural significance. The Lumineers Ho HeyDiscover the meaning behind The Lumineers' infectious 'Ho Hey.' Explore this folk-pop anthem about longing, belonging, and finding your person. Tracy Chapman Fast CarExplore the poignant storytelling, social realism, and enduring legacy of Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car.' Discover its lyrics, chart achievements, and cultural… 1988 Tracy Chapman Talkin' 'Bout a RevolutionDelve into Tracy Chapman's iconic anthem 'Talkin' bout a Revolution.' Explore its powerful themes of social injustice, poverty, hope for change, and its… 1988 Zach Bryan Plastic CigaretteAnalyze the lyrics and meaning of 'Plastic Cigarette' by Zach Bryan. Explore the themes of addiction, self-deception, and the raw, acoustic sound of this… Zach Bryan Something in the OrangeWhat 'something in the orange' actually means, the two different origin stories Zach Bryan has told about it, the two versions of the song, and how a Wisconsin… 2022

About this list

Every entry sets out what a song is about and where that reading comes from: writing credits, interviews, the record's own history. Lyrics are quoted only as far as an explanation needs. Missing a song? Suggest it and it goes on the list. Back to all songs.