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The Best Bluegrass Songs of All Time

Updated May 2, 2020 3.8k votes 1.1k voters 69.1k views56 items

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

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.

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1
260
68
Foggy Mountain Breakdown
The quintessential bluegrass instrumental track.
2
160
40
Blue Moon of Kentucky
Famous bluegrass tune once covered by Elvis Presley.
3
201
72
Rocky Top
A song that recalls a southern paradaise it is now the university of Tennesse's fight song.
4
177
61
Man of Constant Sorrow
A bluegrass classic that was re-introduced to the public in the film "O Brother Where Art Thou"
5
129
36
Can the Circle Be Unbroken
Taken from a similarly name spiritual, The Careter Family rewrote their own version
6
113
29
Orange Blossom Special
A quintessential tune for fiddlers, this song was once covered by Jonny Cash as well.
7
133
44
Fox On the Run
Best performed by Emerson and Waldron
8
85
16
Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms
A fast-played bluegrass classic
9
89
27
Bringing Mary Home
Best performed by The Country Gentlemen
10
90
28
Nine Pound Hammer
Best performed by Tony

11
75
19
Wayfaring Stranger
A bluegrass song from the 1800s about traveling through life.
12
74
24
Feudin’ Banjos
The song made infamous by the film "Deliverance"
13
65
20
John Henry
Best performed by the Lily Borthers.
14
49
10
Soldier's Joy
15
82
39
Wabash Cannonball
Best performed by Claire Lynch
16
53
14
Kentucky Waltz
Classic Bill Monroe song from 1946
17
56
20
Footprints in the Snow
Best perfromed by Mac Wiseman
18
47
13
I'm Sitting on Top of the World
popular bluegrass song written by
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#87 of 99 The Best Songs with Top in the Title#135 of 162 The Best Songs with World in the Title
19
41
14
I Wonder How the Old Folks Are at Home
A classic nostalgic tune from The Carter Family.
20
52
27
The Ballad of Jed Clampett
Blue grass tune that became popular as the theme song from The Beverly Hillbillies.

21
29
8
The Devil's Dream
An extremely old bluegrass fiddle tune
22
31
11
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
23
27
8
Fireball Mail
Best performed by the Lonesome River Band
24
30
14
Train 45
Best performed by Smiley Hobbs
25
27
11
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot