Perplexed, I can see that you are.

"Saying that a good folk song should be something that folks would want sing along with is being rather one dimensional in your ideas about what is what isn't a good folk song."

No it isn't, but it is discussing what MOST people see in a folk song. I also think you misinterpret "sing along" with "others singing". A folk song is USUALLY something that is owned by everyone, not just the writer. The song becomes part of the audience, not just a personal song that is closely attached to the songweriter.

I am not suggesting that we don't need introspective songs, and there are plenty of great songs in other genres.   I think we are focusing this discussion on what MOST people define as folk music, although admittedly it is a very loose definition.

"If I had to level any kind of critique at some of the songs I've heard written by other singer/songwriters of late it would be unfortunate tendency of some to use too few words... "

You miss the point, or perhaps I wasn't descriptive enough. (That is why I'm not a songwriter!!!) The songs you mentioned are far from "wordy". I wasn't suggesting that songs be "dumbed down" or striped of artistic license.   I was trying to say that words should be used carefully and effectively. "Alice's Restaurant", the one on the LP, is perfect. Remember though that the song we are all familiar with was something that Arlo worked on and cut it down to approximately 20 minutes. It was actually much longer. I've heard a tape of a different version that Arlo did that is almost impossible to follow. He worked the song into the masterpiece it became. His father, and Bob Dylan, are perfect examples of musicians who are NOT wordy, but musicians who use the words effectively.

There are many songwriters that fail to convey their message because they get so wrapped up in cramming as much symbolism and imagery as possible into the song. You end up hearing the tune and wondering what the hell it was all about.   

Here is a great example of putting together a great lyric - "Earth Angel".   It was a seemingly dumb little tune from the 1950's, but if you examine it, the song speaks volumes.   The simple title "Earth Angel" - what a great mix of heaven and earth. Great irony. Great message. Catchy tune. It is no wonder that it became popular.

Perplexed, you also took everything that was said in this forum too literally. You must be a songwriter, you seem very sensitive!!!!   :) I think we were all giving our OWN suggestions. Art is subjective. There are no hard and fast rules.   If there were such rules, we would have no problem with creating only good songs. You can talk to 10 different SUCCESSFUL songwriters and each will have a different approach.   

Don't give up... from what you say you are doing something very right. I would love to hear some of your music.

Okay, I've become too "wordy" for this forum. Sorry!

Ron