50+ Best Banjo Songs of All Time (Ever Excited)

Are you looking for the best banjo songs of all time?

Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at 50+ of the best banjo songs ever. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced banjo player, we’re sure you’ll find something new and exciting to add to your repertoire.

So get ready to learn some new tunes and have a lot of fun!

List of the Best Banjo Songs

1. Foggy Mountain Breakdown (Foggy Mountain Boys)

Foggy Mountain Breakdown is one of the most iconic banjo tunes of all time. It’s been covered by bluegrass artists and country singers alike, and it’s a must-learn for any banjo player.

2. Rye Whiskey (Punch Brothers)

Rye Whiskey is a lesser-known banjo tune by Chris Thile. It’s played in the key of G, so it requires fairly advanced left hand technique to play along with Punch Brothers’ version.

3. Gallows Pole (Led Zeppelin) 

Gallows Pole is a very popular song by Led Zeppelin, played on banjo with the help of DADGAD tuning. It’s an enjoyable tune to play along with, but you’ll need to start out slow to get used to the chord shapes.

4. Genius in France (Weird Al Yankovic)

Genius in France is a great banjo tune for beginners, as it’s played in the key of C and doesn’t require too many advanced techniques. It’s a fun song to play and sing along to, and you’re sure to get some laughs from your audience.

5. The Great Remember For Nancy (Steve Martin)

The Great Remember For Nancy is a beautiful banjo tune written by Steve Martin. It’s played in the key of A minor, and it’s a great song to play for an audience of lovers.

6. Clinch Mountain Backstep (The Stanley Brothers)

Clinch Mountain Backstep is a classic bluegrass tune that’s been covered by artists like The Dillards and The Osborne Brothers. It’s a great song to learn if you’re interested in the bluegrass best banjo songs.

7. The Air Is Getting Slippery (Primus)

The Air Is Getting Slippery is a lesser-known Primus tune that’s been adapted for banjo. It’s a challenging song to learn, but it’s well worth the effort.

8. Rocky Top (Osborne Brothers)

Rocky Top is a classic bluegrass banjo song that’s perfect for beginners. It’s easy to learn and fun to play, so pick up your banjo and give it a go!

9. Train 45 (J. D. Crowe)

Train 45 is a great song by J.D. Crowe that only uses the open-string notes in the key of G. It’s fairly easy to learn, but it sounds impressive when played at speed.

10. Banjo Signal (Don Reno)

Banjo Signal is a great instrumental to add to your banjo repertoire. Don Reno’s version of the song only uses three chords, but it sounds absolutely brilliant on the banjo.

11. Thunderstruck (Steve ‘N’ Seagulls)

Thunderstruck is a well-known AC/DC best banjo songs that’s been adapted for banjo by Steve ‘N’ Seagulls. It’s a challenging song to learn, but it’s worth the effort if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush.

12. Ex’s and Oh’s (Elle King)

Ex’s and Oh’s is a beautiful tune by Elle King that’s only played on the banjo in open G tuning. It’s perfect for beginners, as it only requires an understanding of the basic chords.

13. Coffee’s Cold (Abigail Washburn)

Coffee’s Cold is a very challenging song by Abigail Washburn, played in the key of G. It’s an impressive banjo tune that will sound great when you’ve mastered it.

14. Pretty Polly (Dock Boggs)

Pretty Polly is a traditional banjo tune with roots in old-time Appalachian music. It’s believed to be based on an Irish murder ballad, and it has some challenging chord shapes that require the left hand.

15. Crazy Creek (Bill Keith)

Crazy Creek is an instrumental tune by Bill Keith that’s very popular with bluegrass banjo players. It’s not too difficult to learn, but it sounds fantastic when played at speed.

16. The Over Grown Waltz (Béla Fleck)

The Over Grown Waltz is a fairly challenging banjo tune that’s perfect for beginners to learn. It only uses the open strings in the key of C, so it’s fairly easy to play along to.

17. Theme Time (Bill Emerson)

Theme Time is a fabulous banjo tune written by Bill Emerson. It’s not too difficult to learn, but it sounds fantastic when played at speed.

18. Ernest T. Grass (Sammy Shelor)

Ernest T. Grass is a great song by Sammy Shelor that’s perfect for beginners. It’s easy to learn and sounds fantastic when played at speed.

19. The Coo Coo (Doc Watson)

The Coo Coo is a classic banjo tune by Doc Watson that’s perfect for beginners. It’s easy to learn and sounds fantastic when played at speed.

20. Mountain Dew (Flatt & Scruggs)

Mountain Dew is a popular bluegrass tune that’s been covered by artists like Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. It’s a great song to learn if you’re interested in bluegrass banjo.

21. Squeeze Box (The Who)

Squeeze Box is a well-known tune by The Who that’s been adapted for banjo by Steve ‘N’ Seagulls. It’s a challenging song to learn, but it’s worth the effort if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush.

22. When Joy Kills Sorrow (Béla Fleck)

When Joy Kills Sorrow is a beautiful song by Béla Fleck that only uses the best banjo songs in open G tuning. It’s perfect for beginners, as it only requires an understanding of the basic chords.

23. Take It Easy (Eagles)

Take It Easy is a classic Eagles song that’s been adapted for banjo by Steve ‘N’ Seagulls. It’s a great song to learn if you’re interested in bluegrass banjo.

24. Fireball Mail (Flatt & Scruggs)

Fireball Mail is a great song by Flatt & Scruggs that’s perfect for beginners. It’s easy to learn and sounds fantastic when played at speed.

25. Feudin’ Banjos (Don Reno)

Feudin’ Banjos is a classic song by Don Reno that’s only played on the banjo in open G tuning. It’s perfect for beginners, as it only requires an understanding of the basic chords.

26. Earl’s Breakdown (Earl Scruggs)

Earl’s Breakdown is a classic bluegrass tune by Earl Scruggs that’s perfect for beginners. It’s easy to learn and sounds fantastic when played at speed.

27. Can the Circle Be Unbroken (Carter Family)

Can the Circle Be Unbroken is a folk song written in the 1920s. The song is about the reunion of a family after death. The Carter Family popularized the song in the 1930s.

28. Cabin Home On The Hill (Foggy Mountain Boys)

Cabin Home On The Hill was written by Earl Scruggs. It is about a man returning to his old homeplace after being away for so long. The song was recorded by the Foggy Mountain Boys in 1966, but wasn’t released until 1994 on their album Collection.

29. Flint Hill Special (Earl Scruggs)

Flint Hill Special was written by Earl Scruggs in 1947. It was first released on the album, The New Sound by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs in 1958.

30. Cripple Creek (Earl Scruggs)

Cripple Creek is one of the most popular and well-known banjo tunes. Earl Scruggs recorded it in 1945, and the song has been covered by many artists over the years.

31. Country Roads (John Denver)

Country Roads is a classic Americana song that was made famous by John Denver. The banjo part is relatively simple, making it a good choice for beginners.

32. Banjo Bounce (Allen Shelton)

Banjo Bounce is a fun, up-tempo tune that is perfect for bluegrass jam sessions. It was written by Allen Shelton and is based on the song Fireball Mail.

33. Listen To The Music (The Doobie Brothers)

Listen To The Music is a popular rock song that was written by Tom Johnston and made famous by The Doobie Brothers. The banjo part is relatively easy to play and sounds great on the bluegrass banjo.

34. The Hide Head Blues (Jim Mills)

The Hide Head Blues is a slow, bluesy tune that was written by Jim Mills. It features a tricky banjo part that is sure to challenge your playing skills.

35. Old Man (Neil Young)

Old Man is a beautiful and emotive song by Neil Young. The song is about relationships, and how they change as we get older. It’s one of the best banjo songs to play if you’re looking for something with a bit of feeling behind it.

36. Midnight Flyer (Eagles)

Midnight Flyer is an awesome and one of the best banjo songs by The Eagles. It makes you want to move, and it’s great for beginners who are looking for something easy to play.

37. Banjo Solos (Counterpoint)

Banjo Solos  is a series of banjo pieces that use lots of fast picking and pull-offs. It’s great for building up your finger strength, and it’s awesome to play when you’re in the mood for something fast and exciting!

38. Doggy Salt (Tony Trischka)

Doggy Salt is a fun and funky song by Tony Trischka. It’s great for beginner banjo players who are looking to add some spice to their playing.

39. The Ballad of Jed Clampett (Flatt & Scruggs)

The Ballad of Jed Clampett is an American bluegrass classic. It’s great for beginners, and it’s lots of fun to play!

40. Hello Mr. Banjo (Lonesome Pine Fiddlers)

Hello Mr. Banjo is a fun and upbeat song by the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers. It’s great for beginner banjo players who are looking to add some spice to their playing.

41. Say You Love Me (Fleetwood Mac)

Say You Love Me is one of the best banjo songs by Fleetwood Mac. It’s great for beginners, and it’s lots of fun to play! You can also check out 75 Best Love Songs for Him.

42. Waveland (Noam Pikelny)

Waveland is a beautiful and another one of the best banjo songs by Noam Pikelny. It’s great for beginner banjo players who are looking to add some spice to their playing.

43. Wagon Wheel (Old Crow Medicine Show)

Wagon Wheel is one of the greatest and best banjo songs by Old Crow Medicine Show. It’s great for beginners, and it’s lots of fun to play!

44. Dueling Banjos (Eric Weissberg)

Dueling Banjos is one of the most popular banjo songs of all time. It was originally written by Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandel, and it was featured in the 1972 movie Deliverance. The song has been covered by a number of different artists over the years, and it continues to be popular today.

45. In Hell I’ll Be In Good Company (The Dead South)

In Hell I’ll Be In Good Company is a modern banjo song that was written by The Dead South. The song is about a man who is headed to hell, but he isn’t too worried because he’ll be in good company. The Dead South is a Canadian bluegrass band, and they are quickly gaining popularity thanks to their catchy songs and energetic live performances.

46. Hot Corn, Cold Corn (Flatt & Scruggs)

Hot Corn, Cold Corn is a traditional bluegrass song that was first recorded by Flatt & Scruggs in 1951. The song is about a man who is returning home from prison, and he is eager to eat some hot corn.

47. Six-String Banjo Piece (Sylvester Weaver)

Six-String Banjo Piece is a short song written and recorded by Sylvester Weaver in 1923. The tune is designed to show off the ability of six-string banjos, which were becoming popular at the time.

48. Daddy Played the Banjo (Steve Martin)

Daddy Played the Banjo is a humorous song written by Steve Martin. The song is about a man who is trying to remember the days when his father played the banjo. It’s a fun, upbeat song that will make you smile.

49. Ground Speed (Earl Scruggs)

Ground Speed is one of the easy banjo songs that was written by Earl Scruggs for the soundtrack to the 1990 movie Days of Thunder. The best banjo songs playing in this piece is quite impressive, and it really shows off Scruggs’ technical skill.

50. Best Banjo Picker (Charley Pride)

Best Banjo Picker, a Charley Pride song, was released in 1984 as the eleventh track from Pride’s album I’m Just Me. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and remained there for one week.

51. Frosty Morning (Béla Fleck)

Frosty Morning is one of the best modern banjo songs that was released in 2010 as the title track from Béla Fleck’s album Frosty Morning. The song reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and remained there for seven weeks.

Conclusion: Best Banjo Songs

So, what are the best banjo songs? We hope you enjoyed our list of 50+ and that it will serve as a guide to your future purchase. If we missed any that should be on this list, let us know in the comments!

Best Banjo Songs (FAQs)

You can also check out 50 Best Karaoke Songs for Low Female Voices and 35+ Best Bass Songs for Your Playlist.