Tag Archives: filk

Filk music (the folk music of science-fiction and fantasy fandom) is much less mainstream than rock songs with science-fiction themes (sometimes called found filk). Unlike my Top 15 Filk & Geek Rock Songs, which is based on listening stats from streaming services, for this “best of” list I asked U.S. adults in an omnibus survey to name one to three songs.

Filk music is the folk music of science-fiction and fantasy fandom, often sung together at conventions. Like folk songs, filk songs often are new lyrics set to old tunes. Also like folk songs, they morph and change over time. The first two commercial albums of filk music were by Leslie Fish and the DeHorn Crew: Folk Songs for Folk Who Ain’t Even Been Yet (1976) and Solar Sailors (1977). Both are worth seeking out, if you’d like a taste of early filk; “Banned from Argo” (BFA)—from Solar Sailors—is the most famous filk song of […]