American singer-songwriter Phil Ochs (December 19, 1940 – April 9, 1976) wrote or recorded at least 238 songs during his brief career.Cohen, pp. 241–272. Most of the songs which he performed were his own compositions: they ranged in style from protest songs and topical songs to ballads and folk rock. In concert, Ochs sometimes covered songs made famous by other performers. On one occasion, during the height of Beatlemania in 1964, he and Eric Andersen performed The Beatles' "I Should Have Known Better" at a hootenanny, something Ochs described as "very much out of character with this whole program". In the early part of 1970, Ochs surprised his fans by donning a gold lamé suit (commissioned from Elvis Presley's tailor) and going on tour with a rock band; during the brief concert tour, he sang his own material along with medleys of songs by Buddy Holly, Elvis, and Merle Haggard.Schumacher, pp. 227–233.
Ochs never had a hit single, but one of his records broke into the charts. "Outside of a Small Circle of Friends" reached No. 20 in Los Angeles and was No. 119 on Billboards national "Hot Prospect" listing.Eliot, p. 137. Joan Baez had a hit in the U.K. with her cover of "There but for Fortune", a song written by Ochs. (In the U.S. it peaked at No. 50 on the Billboard charts—a good showing, but not a hit.Schumacher, p. 95.)
Ochs' songs, "Bwatue" and "Niko Mchumba Ngombe", which he co-wrote with two African musicians named Dijiba and Bukasa.Cohen, p. 188. were written and recorded in Kenya in 1973, and are early examples of blending Western popular music with world music. Critics note that they predate Paul Simon's Graceland album by more than ten years.Brend, p. 109. The lyrics to "Bwatue" are in Lingala, and the lyrics to "Niko Mchumba Ngombe" are in Swahili. The songs were released as a single in Africa, and most Ochs fans never heard of them until they were included on a compilation album in 1997.Cohen, p. 35.
This is a list of all songs recorded by Ochs that have been officially released. (Camp Favorites, an album of traditional children's songs that was released anonymously, has not been included.) In the case of studio recordings released during his lifetime, the album title and date of album release have been included. For posthumous releases and demo recordings, the approximate date of recording is shown as well. In the case of live recordings, the date of recording and album on which the track appears have been included. Some recordings have been re-released on compilation albums; their reissue has not been noted.
Except where indicated, all songs were written by Ochs.
A
Song title Recordings Notes "All Shook Up" Live recording: Gunfight at Carnegie Hall (March 27, 1970,) Written by Otis Blackwell and Elvis Presley.Cohen, p. 243. Performed as part of a medley of Elvis Presley songs. "A.M.A. Song" Demo recording: On My Way (2010, recorded 1963) Studio recording: A Toast to Those Who Are Gone (1986, recorded mid-1960s) "Another Age" Studio recording: Rehearsals for Retirement (1969) Live recording: There and Now: Live in Vancouver 1968 (March 13, 1969,) "Another Country" Demo recording: The Broadside Tapes 1 (1989, recorded 1963) "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" Live recording: Gunfight at Carnegie Hall (March 27, 1970,) Written by Roy Turk and Lou Handman. Performed as part of a medley of Elvis Presley songs. "Automation Song" Studio recording: All the News That's Fit to Sing (1964)
B
Song title Recordings Notes "Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and Me" Studio recording: Greatest Hits (1970) About Ochs and his circle of friends.Schumacher, p. 223. "The Ballad of Alferd Packer" (also titled "The Ballad of Alfred Packer") Demo recordings: The Broadside Tapes 1 (1989, recorded 1963) On My Way (2010, recorded 1963) About Alferd Packer, a Rocky Mountain guide who ate the other members of his party. "The Ballad of Billie Sol" Studio recording: A Toast to Those Who Are Gone (1986, recorded mid-1960s) About Billie Sol Estes, who was accused of swindling investors, banks, and the federal government of $24 million.Cohen, p. 7. "The Ballad of Davey Moore" See "Davey Moore" "The Ballad of John Henry Faulk" Demo recording: The Broadside Tapes 1 (1989, recorded 1962) About John Henry Faulk, a popular radio show host who fell victim to the blacklist when he was falsely accused of being a Communist.Eliot, p. 62. "The Ballad of Medgar Evers" See "Too Many Martyrs" "The Ballad of Oxford (Jimmie Meredith)" (also titled "The Ballad of Oxford, Mississippi") Demo recording: On My Way (2010, recorded 1963) Studio recording: A Toast to Those Who Are Gone (1986, recorded mid-1960s) About James Meredith, the first African American student to attend the University of Mississippi. "The Ballad of Rubén Jaramillo" See "Jaramillo" "The Ballad of U.S. Steel" Demo recording: On My Way (2010, recorded 1963) "The Ballad of the Carpenter" Studio recording: I Ain't Marching Anymore (1965) Written by Ewan MacColl.Cohen, p. 244. "Ballad of William Worthy" Demo recording: On My Way (2010, recorded 1963) Studio recordings: Broadside Ballads Volume 1 (1963) All the News That's Fit to Sing (1964) About U.S. journalist William Worthy, who traveled to Cuba despite State Department restrictions.Eliot, p. 70. "Basket in the Pool" Studio recording: Greatest Hits (1970) About a drunken incident at a party Ochs attended, in which he threw a gift basket into the host's swimming pool.Schumacher, pp. 217, 223. "The Bells" Studio recording: All the News That's Fit to Sing (1964) Live recording: There and Now: Live in Vancouver 1968 (March 13, 1969,) Amchitka, The 1970 Concert That Launched Greenpeace (October 16, 1970,) Lyrics adapted from the poem by Edgar Allan Poe.Schumacher, p. 76. The 1969 live recording features Allen Ginsberg on bells.Cohen, p. 25. "Bobby Dylan Record" Demo recording: On My Way (2010, recorded 1963) "Bound for Glory" Studio recording: All the News That's Fit to Sing (1964) About U.S. folk singer Woody Guthrie.Eliot, p. 63. "Boy in Ohio" Studio recording: Greatest Hits (1970) About Ochs's childhood in Columbus, Ohio.Schumacher, pp. 223–224. "Bracero" Live recording: Phil Ochs in Concert (1966) About Mexican migrant workers under the Bracero Program.Schumacher, p. 116. "Bullets of Mexico" See "Jaramillo" "Bwatue" Studio recording: Single (1973) Written by Ochs, Dijiba, and Bukasa.Cohen, p. 246.
C
Song title Recordings Notes "Canons of Christianity" (also titled "Cannons of Christianity") Live recording: Phil Ochs in Concert (1966) "Celia" Studio recording: All the News That's Fit to Sing (1964) A love song inspired by William J. Pomeroy and Celia Mariano, a married couple who were imprisoned in the Philippines. "Changes" Demo recording: Sings for Broadside (1976, recorded 1965) Live recordings: Phil Ochs in Concert (1966) There and Now: Live in Vancouver 1968 (March 13, 1969) Amchitka, The 1970 Concert That Launched Greenpeace (October 16, 1970) Inspired by Ochs's separation from his wife.Schumacher, pp. 107–108. "Changing Hands" Demo recording: Broadside Reunion (1972, recorded 1963) "Chords of Fame" Studio recording: Greatest Hits (1970) Live recordings: Gunfight at Carnegie Hall (March 27, 1970,) Amchitka, The 1970 Concert That Launched Greenpeace (October 16, 1970,) "Christine Keeler" Demo recording: The Broadside Tapes 1 (1989, recorded 1963) About Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice-Davies, two women at the heart of the Profumo affair. "City Boy" Studio recording: A Toast to Those Who Are Gone (1986, recorded mid-1960s) "Colored Town" Studio recording: A Toast to Those Who Are Gone (1986, recorded mid-1960s) "The Confession" Demo recording: Farewells & Fantasies (1997, recorded 1964) "Cops of the World" Live recording: Phil Ochs in Concert (1966) About U.S. intervention in the affairs of foreign countries. "Cross My Heart" Demo recording: Farewells & Fantasies (1997, recorded 1966) Studio recording: Pleasures of the Harbor (1967) Live recordings: Live at Newport (July 1966) The studio version was released as a single in 1967.Cohen, p. 187. "Crucifixion" Studio recording: Pleasures of the Harbor (1967) Live recordings: There and Now: Live in Vancouver 1968 (March 13, 1969,) Chords of Fame (March 27, 1970,) Sings for Broadside (October 12, 1974,) About the rise and fall of a hero, and the public's role in creating, destroying, and deifying its heroes. The song usually is interpreted as an allegory likening the life and assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy to the career of Jesus, although the song may refer to other heroes as well.Brend, p. 106.Schumacher, p. 110.
D
Song title Recordings Notes "Davey Moore" (also titled "The Ballad of Davey Moore") Demo recording: On My Way (2010, recorded 1963) Studio recording: The Early Years (2000, recorded 1964) About Davey Moore, a boxer who died as a result of injuries sustained during a match.Eliot, p. 55. "Days of Decision" Demo recording: Sings for Broadside (1976, recorded 1964) Studio recording: I Ain't Marching Anymore (1965) "Doesn't Lenny Live Here Anymore?" Studio recording: Rehearsals for Retirement (1969) "The Doll House" Studio recording: Rehearsals for Retirement (1969) Live recording: There and Now: Live in Vancouver 1968 (March 13, 1969,) "Don't Try Again" Demo recording: On My Way (2010, recorded 1963) "Do What I Have to Do" Studio recording: A Toast to Those Who Are Gone (1986, recorded mid-1960s) Live recording: Sing for Freedom (May 1964) Written in May 1964 at a Freedom Song workshop at Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. "Draft Dodger Rag" Studio recording: I Ain't Marching Anymore (1965) Live recording: Evening Concerts Volume 1 (July 1964)
E
Song title Recordings Notes "Everyday" Live recording: Gunfight at Carnegie Hall (March 27, 1970,) Written by Norman Petty and Charles Hardin.Cohen, p. 251. Performed as part of a medley of Buddy Holly songs.
F
Song title Recordings Notes "First Snow" Demo recording: On My Way (2010, recorded 1963) "The Floods of Florence" Studio recording: Tape from California (1968) "Flower Lady" Studio recording: Pleasures of the Harbor (1967) "A Fool Such as I" Live recording: Gunfight at Carnegie Hall (March 27, 1970,) Written by Bill Trader.Cohen, p. 252.
G
Song title Recordings Notes "Gas Station Women" Studio recording: Greatest Hits (1970) "Going Down to Mississippi" Studio recording: A Toast to Those Who Are Gone (1986, recorded mid-1960s)
H
Song title Recordings Notes "Half a Century High" Studio recording: Tape from California (1968) Live recording: Live at Newport (July 1966) "The Harder They Fall" Studio recordings: Tape from California (1968) B-side of "The War Is Over" single (1968) The single version of "The Harder They Fall" has never been included on any album or compilation. "Hazard, Kentucky" Demo recordings: The Broadside Tapes 1 (1989, recorded 1963) On My Way (2010, recorded 1963) About the poor work and living conditions of coal workers in Kentucky.Schumacher, p. 74. "Heartbreak Hotel" Live recording: Gunfight at Carnegie Hall (March 27, 1970,) Written by Thomas Durden, Elvis Presley, and Mae Boren Axton.Cohen, p. 253. Performed as part of a medley of Elvis Presley songs. "Here's to the State of Mississippi" Studio recording: I Ain't Marching Anymore (1965) Inspired by the murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner in Mississippi during 1964.Cohen, pp. 12–13. "Here's to the State of Richard Nixon" Live recording: B-side of "Power and the Glory" single (January 17, 1974,Cohen, p. 224.) Recorded at Max's Kansas City in New York City. A revised version of "Here's to the State of Mississippi", with lyrics updated to refer to U.S. President Richard Nixon.Schumacher, p. 255. "The Highwayman" Studio recording: I Ain't Marching Anymore (1965) Live recording: There and Now: Live in Vancouver 1968 (March 13, 1969,) Lyrics adapted from the poem by Alfred Noyes.Schumacher, p. 91. "The Hills of West Virginia" Studio recordings: