Top 10 Fleet Foxes Songs

Feature Photo: Danishdrummer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Our top ten Fleet Foxes songs showcase a band that originated in Washington and is renowned for its exceptional indie-folk music. Fleet Foxes began their journey at Lake Washington High School, where founding members Skyler Skjelset and Robin Pecknold first met. Bonded by their appreciation for Neil Young and Bob Dylan, the pair eventually collaborated musically. Before founding the band, Pecknold toured with Dolour as a bassist in 2005. Following the tour, he established Fleet Foxes, initially named “The Pineapples.” However, the band changed its name upon discovering a local group with the same moniker.

Centered around Pecknold, who assumes the roles of lead vocalist and principal songwriter, Fleet Foxes also features Skjelset as lead guitarist, with Pecknold contributing additional guitar skills. Pecknold’s adoption of a late-sixties pop style garnered the attention of prominent producers who played a pivotal role in the band’s rise to fame. In 2006, Fleet Foxes released a very limited self-released debut EP, earning acclaim on the local scene. Although they delayed releasing their debut album, the band maintained popularity, a feat Pecknold later credited in part to online file-sharing.

Following their second EP, Sun Giant, their eponymous debut album received positive reviews, drawing comparisons to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and The Beach Boys. Fleet Foxes continued to release music but entered a hiatus after touring Helplessness Blues, eventually reuniting to record Crack-Up. Their fourth studio album, Shore, followed in 2020. The band’s official catalog also includes the First Collection 2006–2009 compilation and live releases including A Very Lonely Solstice and Live on Boston Harbor. Here are the top 10 Fleet Foxes songs from these indie folk luminaries.

#10 – Ragged Wood

Leading our list of the top 10 Fleet Foxes songs is “Ragged Wood” from their self-titled debut album. Penned by Robin Pecknold, this track opens with robust, rhythmic harmonies that inject energy into the song’s beat. The lyrics of “Ragged Wood” consist of a heartfelt plea to a departed loved one, presented in a way that evokes simpler, perhaps even idyllic times. Through its vivid imagery, the song paints scenes of the natural world while exploring themes of freedom and longing.

#9 – Can I Believe You

“Can I Believe You” is a reflective track from Fleet Foxes’ album Shore, featuring lyrics by the band’s frontman, Robin Pecknold. The song emerged from a riff Pecknold developed after the band returned from touring their third album. What began as a song about an untrustworthy second party evolved into a more personal examination of Pecknold’s own difficulties with trust, vulnerability, and letting people get close. A distinctive feature of “Can I Believe You” is its choral backing, assembled from roughly four hundred to five hundred voice recordings submitted by Pecknold’s Instagram followers.

#8 – Blue Ridge Mountains

When missing someone deeply, Robin Pecknold, the frontman of Fleet Foxes, channels his emotions into songwriting, as exemplified by “Blue Ridge Mountains.” This heartfelt composition appears on the band’s self-titled debut album. Robin wrote the song as an invitation to his brother Sean to take another trip together, reflecting the strong bond between them. Sean Pecknold has played a significant role in his brother’s music career, directing several of the band’s music videos, including the one for “Can I Believe You.” This creative collaboration highlights the profound connection between the two, which Robin eloquently captures in the song’s lyrics.

#7 – Grown Ocean

“Grown Ocean” is an evocative track by Fleet Foxes from their album Helplessness Blues. The band’s lead vocalist, Robin Pecknold, disclosed that the song was inspired by his experiences with nicotine patches during the writing and recording sessions for Helplessness Blues. At the time, Pecknold was attempting to quit smoking, and the nicotine patches induced intense, vivid dreams that felt strikingly real. These dreams heavily influenced the thematic and lyrical content of “Grown Ocean,” adding a surreal and introspective dimension to the song.

#6 – Helplessness Blues

Number six on our top 10 Fleet Foxes songs list is the poignant ballad “Helplessness Blues” from the band’s second album of the same name. Vocalist Robin Pecknold shared that the inspiration for writing the song came after interviewing Graham Nash, a member of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The song captures Pecknold in a reflective mood, pondering how the self-centered individualism of his youth has shaped his perspective and behavior as an adult. This introspection is woven into the lyrics, offering a contemplative view on personal growth and responsibility.

#5 – Third of May / Ōdaigahara

“Third of May / Ōdaigahara” is the lead single from Fleet Foxes’ 2017 album Crack-Up. The song draws inspiration from the relationship between guitarist Skyler Skjelset and vocalist Robin Pecknold, especially the distance that developed between them in the years after touring their previous album, Helplessness Blues. May 3 is Skjelset’s birthday and also the date Helplessness Blues was released in the United States. The lyrics poignantly explore unresolved feelings and the psychological complexities of their friendship.

#4 – The Shrine / An Argument

“The Shrine / An Argument” is a standout track on Fleet Foxes’ 2011 album Helplessness Blues. This multi-part song is distinguished by an intoxicating burst of free-jazz saxophone, which helps cement its place as one of the band’s best songs. Vocalist Robin Pecknold has revealed that the different phases of the song are designed to capture the varying emotional states associated with the stages of a breakup. This breakup song masterfully evokes a range of emotions, from energized intensity to a peculiar, anxious unease, making it a powerful and emotionally resonant piece.

#3 – He Doesn’t Know Why

Featured on their self-titled debut album, “He Doesn’t Know Why” by Fleet Foxes offers deep and poetic lyrics. The song expresses confusion and sorrow upon witnessing the desolate state of a loved one’s life. Its lyrics prompt reflection on the harsh truth that our cherished memories can sometimes lead us to make regrettable decisions. Fleet Foxes’ vocalist Robin Pecknold wrote the exquisite lyrics that contribute to the song’s esteemed reputation, weaving a narrative that resonates with poignant introspection and emotional depth.

#2 – Mykonos

“Mykonos” is a standout track from Fleet Foxes’ 2008 EP Sun Giant. This song masterfully blends elements of classic rock, British folk, and baroque pop to evoke the musical spirit of the 1960s. Listening to “Mykonos” conjures up memories of iconic performers from that era, such as Neil Young, The Beach Boys, The Zombies, and Bob Dylan. What makes the song particularly memorable is its captivating paper-cutout animation video, directed by Sean Pecknold, which adds a visual depth to the already rich auditory experience, enhancing the song’s lasting impact.

#1 – White Winter Hymnal

Topping our list of the top 10 Fleet Foxes songs is the ballad “White Winter Hymnal,” featured on the band’s self-titled debut album. Songwriter and vocalist Robin Pecknold has intrigued many by noting that the song is lyrically “fairly meaningless.” “White Winter Hymnal” showcases the best of Fleet Foxes’ vocal abilities, delivered over a simple yet catchy melody. The song’s broad appeal is evident in its numerous covers by other artists, each adding a unique touch to this beloved track.