The Best Bluegrass Songs of All Time

Bluegrass is an American roots music that is a subset of country music. With roots primarily in Appalachia, this style dates back to the 1800s, with many of the songs being used for Minstrel shows and often referred to as a mix between blues and jazz music. It reflects the hardships of living in rural Appalachia and the everyday life people live there.

Many of these songs are just a snippet of amazing bluegrass albums by amazing artists, so be sure to check out the greatest bluegrass albums as well.

What are the best bluegrass songs of all time? It's time to decide. This list is votable and rerankable. Vote up the greatest bluegrass songs, and feel free to add any that you don't already see on here.

list ordered by

1
163 49

Foggy Mountain Breakdown The quintessential bluegrass instrumental track.

2
92 27

Man of Constant Sorrow A bluegrass classic that was re-introduced to the public in the film "O Brother Where Art Thou"

3
120 44

Rocky Top A song that recalls a southern paradaise it is now the university of Tennesse's fight song.

4
86 27

Blue Moon of Kentucky Famous bluegrass tune once covered by Elvis Presley.

5
95 37

Fox On the Run Best performed by Emerson and Waldron

6
77 27

Can the Circle Be Unbroken Taken from a similarly name spiritual, The Careter Family rewrote their own version

7
61 20

Orange Blossom Special A quintessential tune for fiddlers, this song was once covered by Jonny Cash as well.

8
44 11

Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms A fast-played bluegrass classic

9
38 9

Wayfaring Stranger A bluegrass song from the 1800s about traveling through life.

10
57 24

Wabash Cannonball Best performed by Claire Lynch

11
42 14

John Henry Best performed by the Lily Borthers.

12
56 25

Nine Pound Hammer Best performed by Tony

13
32 9

Feudin’ Banjos The song made infamous by the film "Deliverance"

14
39 15

Footprints in the Snow Best perfromed by Mac Wiseman

15
23 4

Soldier's Joy

16
30 10

Kentucky Waltz Classic Bill Monroe song from 1946

17
20 6

I Wonder How the Old Folks Are at Home A classic nostalgic tune from The Carter Family.

18
24 10

The Ballad of Jed Clampett Blue grass tune that became popular as the theme song from The Beverly Hillbillies.

20
31 18

Bringing Mary Home Best performed by The Country Gentlemen

21
16 6

Molly and Tenbrooks Originally recorded by the Carver Boys under a slightly different title this song was then popularized by Bill Monroe in the '40s

22
20 10

Train 45 Best performed by Smiley Hobbs

23
22 12

Darling Corey Best performed by the Seldom Scene

24
15 6

Roving Gambler Another great Stanley Brothers bluegreass tune

Country Music The Best Bluegrass Songs of All Time

1
163 49

Foggy Mountain Breakdown The quintessential bluegrass instrumental track.

2
92 27

Man of Constant Sorrow A bluegrass classic that was re-introduced to the public in the film "O Brother Where Art Thou"

3
120 44

Rocky Top A song that recalls a southern paradaise it is now the university of Tennesse's fight song.

4
86 27

Blue Moon of Kentucky Famous bluegrass tune once covered by Elvis Presley.

5
95 37

Fox On the Run Best performed by Emerson and Waldron

6
77 27

Can the Circle Be Unbroken Taken from a similarly name spiritual, The Careter Family rewrote their own version

7
61 20

Orange Blossom Special A quintessential tune for fiddlers, this song was once covered by Jonny Cash as well.

8
44 11

Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms A fast-played bluegrass classic

9
38 9

Wayfaring Stranger A bluegrass song from the 1800s about traveling through life.

10
57 24

Wabash Cannonball Best performed by Claire Lynch

11
42 14

John Henry Best performed by the Lily Borthers.

12
56 25

Nine Pound Hammer Best performed by Tony

13
32 9

Feudin’ Banjos The song made infamous by the film "Deliverance"

14
39 15

Footprints in the Snow Best perfromed by Mac Wiseman

15
23 4

Soldier's Joy

16
30 10

Kentucky Waltz Classic Bill Monroe song from 1946

17
20 6

I Wonder How the Old Folks Are at Home A classic nostalgic tune from The Carter Family.

18
24 10

The Ballad of Jed Clampett Blue grass tune that became popular as the theme song from The Beverly Hillbillies.

20
31 18

Bringing Mary Home Best performed by The Country Gentlemen

21
16 6

Molly and Tenbrooks Originally recorded by the Carver Boys under a slightly different title this song was then popularized by Bill Monroe in the '40s

22
20 10

Train 45 Best performed by Smiley Hobbs

23
22 12

Darling Corey Best performed by the Seldom Scene

24
15 6

Roving Gambler Another great Stanley Brothers bluegreass tune

not on the list? add item #54

List Rules: Upvote your favorite bluegrass songs and downvote the ones you don't like so much.

1 163 49 Foggy Mountain Breakdown The quintessential bluegrass instrumental track.

2 92 27 Man of Constant Sorrow A bluegrass classic that was re-introduced to the public in the film "O Brother Where Art Thou"

3 120 44 Rocky Top A song that recalls a southern paradaise it is now the university of Tennesse's fight song.

4 86 27 Blue Moon of Kentucky Famous bluegrass tune once covered by Elvis Presley.

5 95 37 Fox On the Run Best performed by Emerson and Waldron

6 77 27 Can the Circle Be Unbroken Taken from a similarly name spiritual, The Careter Family rewrote their own version

7 61 20 Orange Blossom Special A quintessential tune for fiddlers, this song was once covered by Jonny Cash as well.

8 44 11 Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms A fast-played bluegrass classic

9 38 9 Wayfaring Stranger A bluegrass song from the 1800s about traveling through life.

10 57 24 Wabash Cannonball Best performed by Claire Lynch

11 42 14 John Henry Best performed by the Lily Borthers.

12 56 25 Nine Pound Hammer Best performed by Tony

13 32 9 Feudin’ Banjos The song made infamous by the film "Deliverance"

14 39 15 Footprints in the Snow Best perfromed by Mac Wiseman

15 23 4 Soldier's Joy

16 30 10 Kentucky Waltz Classic Bill Monroe song from 1946

17 20 6 I Wonder How the Old Folks Are at Home A classic nostalgic tune from The Carter Family.

18 24 10 The Ballad of Jed Clampett Blue grass tune that became popular as the theme song from The Beverly Hillbillies.

19 19 7 I'm Sitting on Top of the World Bill Monroe and His Bluegrass Boys - popular bluegrass song written by

20 31 18 Bringing Mary Home Best performed by The Country Gentlemen

21 16 6 Molly and Tenbrooks Originally recorded by the Carver Boys under a slightly different title this song was then popularized by Bill Monroe in the '40s

22 20 10 Train 45 Best performed by Smiley Hobbs

23 22 12 Darling Corey Best performed by the Seldom Scene

24 15 6 Roving Gambler Another great Stanley Brothers bluegreass tune

25 18 9 I Wonder Where You Are Tonight Bill Monroe and His Bluegrass Boys - A lonesome tune of longing this bluegrass tune is an undeniable classic.

not on the list? add item #54 List Rules: Upvote your favorite bluegrass songs and downvote the ones you don't like so much.

1
163 49

Foggy Mountain Breakdown The quintessential bluegrass instrumental track.

2
92 27

Man of Constant Sorrow A bluegrass classic that was re-introduced to the public in the film "O Brother Where Art Thou"

3
120 44

Rocky Top A song that recalls a southern paradaise it is now the university of Tennesse's fight song.

4
86 27

Blue Moon of Kentucky Famous bluegrass tune once covered by Elvis Presley.

5
95 37

Fox On the Run Best performed by Emerson and Waldron

6
77 27

Can the Circle Be Unbroken Taken from a similarly name spiritual, The Careter Family rewrote their own version

7
61 20

Orange Blossom Special A quintessential tune for fiddlers, this song was once covered by Jonny Cash as well.

8
44 11

Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms A fast-played bluegrass classic

9
38 9

Wayfaring Stranger A bluegrass song from the 1800s about traveling through life.

10
57 24

Wabash Cannonball Best performed by Claire Lynch

11
42 14

John Henry Best performed by the Lily Borthers.

12
56 25

Nine Pound Hammer Best performed by Tony

13
32 9

Feudin’ Banjos The song made infamous by the film "Deliverance"

14
39 15

Footprints in the Snow Best perfromed by Mac Wiseman

15
23 4

Soldier's Joy

16
30 10

Kentucky Waltz Classic Bill Monroe song from 1946

17
20 6

I Wonder How the Old Folks Are at Home A classic nostalgic tune from The Carter Family.

18
24 10

The Ballad of Jed Clampett Blue grass tune that became popular as the theme song from The Beverly Hillbillies.

19
19 7

I'm Sitting on Top of the World Bill Monroe and His Bluegrass Boys - popular bluegrass song written by

20
31 18

Bringing Mary Home Best performed by The Country Gentlemen

21
16 6

Molly and Tenbrooks Originally recorded by the Carver Boys under a slightly different title this song was then popularized by Bill Monroe in the '40s

22
20 10

Train 45 Best performed by Smiley Hobbs

23
22 12

Darling Corey Best performed by the Seldom Scene

24
15 6

Roving Gambler Another great Stanley Brothers bluegreass tune

25
18 9

I Wonder Where You Are Tonight Bill Monroe and His Bluegrass Boys - A lonesome tune of longing this bluegrass tune is an undeniable classic.

not on the list? add item #54

List Rules: Upvote your favorite bluegrass songs and downvote the ones you don't like so much.