5 of the Best Folk Musicians and Bands From the 1980s

When one thinks of the heyday of folk music, one rarely thinks of the 1980s. The 1960s and 1970s were the true great decades for the genre. That being said, there were quite a few stellar folk musicians and bands who made music in the 1980s and deserve some recognition today. Let’s take a look at five of the very best!

1. Richard & Linda Thompson

Husband and wife duo Richard & Linda Thompson started their folk-rock career in the 1970s, but one of their most iconic (and, sadly, their last) albums is the 1982 release Shoot Out The Lights. It was released on an independent label and did better than everyone had expected after a few years of unsuccessful releases. It deserves more credit for being one of the very best folk-rock albums of the decade.

2. Violent Femmes

This folk-punk outfit was formed in 1981 and is still touring extensively today. The band released a number of albums in the 1980s, but what earns them a place on our list of the best folk bands of the era is their debut self-titled 1983 album. It’s still Violent Femmes’ most successful album of their career, and it makes sense why. It’s a cult classic piece of work that stands out in a sea of other alternative folk albums from the early 1980s.

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3. Enya

Irish composer and singer/songwriter Enya is known for his stunning contributions to new-age, world, and folk music. With her uniquely Celtic touch, Enya has released quite a few incredible pieces of work during her career. The Celts and Watermark are essential listening.

4. Billy Bragg

Billy Bragg started his career in 1977 and released some of the most cherished folk rock and Americana works of the 1980s. Life’s A Riot With Spy Vs Spy is a uniquely British take on folk rock with folk punk elements, and it’s been consistently ranked on lists of the best albums of the 1980s in the years since its release.

5. Bruce Cockburn

This Canadian singer/songwriter is one of the most underrated folk rock musicians of all time, in this writer’s humble opinion. Cockburn’s music often teeters between political anthems and spiritual folk, especially on his 1980 release Humans. If you want to be challenged emotionally, socially, and spiritually, this is a great album to listen to from start to finish.

Photo by George Lange, courtesy of Craft Recordings

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