[World Music] A Guide to Folk Music: A Collection of Traditional Songs from Around the Globe
Traditional and folk music has a charm that’s different from works categorized into genres like rock, jazz, or R&B, doesn’t it? It’s like you catch a glimpse of a world different from where you are now… scenes you can’t quite put into words start to unfold in your heart.
In this article, we’ll be introducing a wide variety of folk music loved around the world.
From pieces brimming with exotic flair to songs that feel surprisingly familiar, we’ve gathered a truly broad selection! Listen to the tracks featured here and open a new door.
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[World Music] A Guide to Folk Music: Collection of International Folk Songs (1–10)
Copacabana
This song incorporates samba, Brazil’s world-famous folk music.
It’s a work by American composer Barry Manilow, who created hits like “Mandy.” In Japan, it’s also well known as a cheer song for high school baseball.
The lyrics depict a sad love story, which contrasts with the passionate musical style—giving it a slightly different feel from the image of samba with flamboyant costumes.
By the way, this track is often used for the ballroom dance genre “Samba.”
Maria Lisboã
Fado, a folk music born in Portugal, is a genre characterized by richly expressive guitar playing and melodies that are both soaring and tinged with melancholy.
There’s no single rule that defines “this is fado,” but I’m sure you’ll be captivated by its lyrical world that depicts the subtleties of the heart and its emotionally stirring vocal performances.
“Maria Lisboa” is a fado classic that is even said to be the original song for Saki Kubota’s “Ihoujin.” Immerse yourself in its exotic allure.
Los Gryffindorfitos
This is “Los Griñafitos,” from the Venezuelan folk music genre joropo.
Joropo is dance music based on a triple meter rhythm, with a history of being performed by people living in the Llanos, the vast plains stretching from Venezuela into Colombia.
As you’ll hear, it’s a passionate musical style with the atmosphere of flamenco and African folk music.
Perhaps it flourished precisely because Venezuela is a country with a multinational ethnic makeup.
[Music of the World] A Guide to Folk Music: Collection of International Folk Songs (11–20)
Overflowing feelings
Bossa nova, Brazil’s folk-inspired music, is what you’ll want to play during a relaxing moment—say, over a comforting coffee break.
Its soft, stylish melodies paired with warm vocals create a soothing sound.
The featured song, “Overflowing Feelings,” is a work that sparked the bossa nova boom of the 1950s.
As João Gilberto’s rendition gradually spread, it paved the way for the genre’s global popularity.
The lyrics express heartfelt emotions for a beloved person.
Che Che Kule
This is a heartwarming folk song passed down from Ghana in distant Africa.
Its participatory elements—singing and dancing together with children—are appealing, as everyone joins their voices to the leader’s call and enjoys moving their bodies in time.
After being featured on Osibisa’s 1972 album “Heads,” it spread worldwide in a fresh interpretation that fused traditional music with rock and jazz.
In 2018, Sing With Sandra covered it on the album “Baby Shark And Other Children Songs,” presenting an arrangement that highlights its educational aspects.
This piece shines at family home parties and cultural exchange events—occasions that connect people across generations and borders.
Simple yet warm, its melody is filled with a special charm that naturally brings a smile to everyone’s face.
La Bamba
A gem that transformed from a traditional Mexican folk song into a worldwide hit.
Its glittering, passionate melody and lively rhythm evoke the dazzling atmosphere of a wedding celebration in a far-off land.
In 1958, Ritchie Valens arranged it in a rock ’n’ roll style, and it became the first Spanish-language song to soar into the upper ranks of the U.S.
pop charts.
In 1987, Los Lobos covered it as the theme song for a biographical film, taking it to No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It was also selected for Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” and is acclaimed as an iconic work that fostered cross-border connections through the power of music.
A perfect track to liven up parties and celebrations.
Clarinet Polka
A lively dance music born from Polish traditional music has continued to be loved across eras and borders.
Its charming melody—woven from a sprightly clarinet lead and the rhythm of the polka—lifts the listener’s spirits and brims with an irresistible energy that makes your body want to move.
Originating in Poland in the late 19th to early 20th century and brought to America by immigrants, this piece gained immense popularity in cities like Chicago and Milwaukee.
Adopted as background music on radio and television, it became even more widely known.
Now a staple of wind band repertoire, it is performed around the world.
It’s the perfect piece for anyone seeking a joy-filled moment or wishing to experience the exotic flair of folk music.