What is the most beautiful song ever?

Message Bookmarked
Bookmark Removed
Not all messages are displayed: show all messages (594 of them)
Curt1s wins!

dog latin (dog latin), Thursday, 12 February 2004 01:52 (twenty years ago) link

Classical: The second movement from Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23
Popular: "Four Seasons In One Day" by Crowded House

Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Thursday, 12 February 2004 01:53 (twenty years ago) link

bonnie price billy with the marquis de tren: II-XV

jed_ (jed), Thursday, 12 February 2004 01:55 (twenty years ago) link

"Wichita Lineman", & classical, Faure's "Requiem".

Chris Hill (Chris Hill), Thursday, 12 February 2004 01:55 (twenty years ago) link

pop : Louie Armstrong "What a Wonderful World"
ambient : Global Communication "12:18"
techno : Orbital "Belfast" (last two minutes)
classical : Beethoven "Symphony No.9, 4th Movement" (last four minutes)
or Mozart "Bassoon Concerto, 2nd Movement"

Barry Bruner (Barry Bruner), Thursday, 12 February 2004 01:57 (twenty years ago) link

As for beautiful ambient/new age, I cannot help being a sucker for part two from Jarre's "Equinoxe"

Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Thursday, 12 February 2004 02:00 (twenty years ago) link

Freebird

Dude (The Yellow Dart), Thursday, 12 February 2004 02:01 (twenty years ago) link

I cannot help being a sucker
-- Geir Hongro (geirhon...), February 12th, 2004.

omg, Thursday, 12 February 2004 02:04 (twenty years ago) link

"Have You Seen Her?", The Chi-Lites
"I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", Hank Williams
"Aquele Abraco", Gilberto Gil
"I'll Be There", The Jackson 5
"Midnight Sun", many artists but I favor Ella Fitzgerald's version

Begs2Differ (Begs2Differ), Thursday, 12 February 2004 02:06 (twenty years ago) link

oh and I forgot "Comb Your Hair" by the Boo Radleys and "Peace Music" by Pizzicato Five and "Tha Crossroads" by Bone Thugs N Harmony

Begs2Differ (Begs2Differ), Thursday, 12 February 2004 02:08 (twenty years ago) link

Loesser and Carmichael's "Two Sleepy People" (as done by Fats Waller particularly)
Saint Saens' "The Swan"
Bedrich Smetana's "Die Moldau"
Chi-Lites' "Have You Seen Her?" *indeed*
Barry White's "Never Never Gonna Give Ya Up"
10cc's "I'm Not In Love" (esp. in terms of production/use of sound)

all sublime those...

Tom May (Tom May), Thursday, 12 February 2004 02:09 (twenty years ago) link

Love is all -Ronnie James Dio

ipsofacto (ipsofacto), Thursday, 12 February 2004 02:10 (twenty years ago) link

Brian Eno - The Big Ship

tipustiger, Thursday, 12 February 2004 02:17 (twenty years ago) link

I was going to assuredly say Beach Boys' "God Only Knows."

But then I saw "Belfast"...

Now there is conflict.

The Good Dr. Bill (Andrew Unterberger), Thursday, 12 February 2004 02:23 (twenty years ago) link

Captain Beefheart "Yellow Brick Road"

otto, Thursday, 12 February 2004 02:25 (twenty years ago) link

Nick Drake's Northern Sky but whoever said Witchita Lineman is somewhat OTM, too.

may pang (maypang), Thursday, 12 February 2004 02:31 (twenty years ago) link

BLAAAAACK IS THE CULURRRRHHHHHH...OF MY TRUE LOVE'S HAIR.
- Nina Simone rip

Etta Wu, Thursday, 12 February 2004 02:34 (twenty years ago) link

Ack, "Northern Sky," I KNEW I was forgetting one! That and "Fly" are now rivalling my previous choice.

Curt1s St3ph3ns, Thursday, 12 February 2004 02:34 (twenty years ago) link

I was going to assuredly say Beach Boys' "God Only Knows."

-- The Good Dr. Bill (fadeout9...), February 12th, 2004.

this was going to be my response. 'don't talk' would be a suitable alternative too.

Mil, Thursday, 12 February 2004 02:35 (twenty years ago) link

coltrane's version of "my favorite things"

fjkdsl, Thursday, 12 February 2004 02:35 (twenty years ago) link

You're both wrong. The most beautiful Beach Boys song is 'Til I Die!

may pang (maypang), Thursday, 12 February 2004 02:37 (twenty years ago) link

Waterloo Sunset

Mr. Snrub (Mr. Snrub), Thursday, 12 February 2004 03:27 (twenty years ago) link

Young-Holt Unlimited - "Soulful Strut"

Mark (MarkR), Thursday, 12 February 2004 03:29 (twenty years ago) link

I agree both "'Till I Die" and "Waterloo Sunset" are very special, but still get all goosebumpy for "Walk away Renee" by The Left Banke

jim wentworth (wench), Thursday, 12 February 2004 03:30 (twenty years ago) link

Slip Inside This House.
Elevators

sam., Thursday, 12 February 2004 03:37 (twenty years ago) link

Perfect Circle

Mr. Snrub (Mr. Snrub), Thursday, 12 February 2004 03:41 (twenty years ago) link

"Under Pressure"

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Thursday, 12 February 2004 03:42 (twenty years ago) link

"Walk Away Renee" totally...I'm crying just thinking about listening to it

Donna Brown (Donna Brown), Thursday, 12 February 2004 03:46 (twenty years ago) link

Xtal - Aphex Twin. It's very, very pretty-sounding at least.

latebloomer (latebloomer), Thursday, 12 February 2004 03:47 (twenty years ago) link

spacemen 3/sonic boom - ecstacy

A Nairn (moretap), Thursday, 12 February 2004 03:49 (twenty years ago) link

Black Metallic!

John 2, Thursday, 12 February 2004 04:04 (twenty years ago) link

"An Ending (Ascent)," Brian Eno

Josh in Chicago (Josh in Chicago), Thursday, 12 February 2004 04:07 (twenty years ago) link

"Aquele Abraco", Gilberto Gi

OTM. Profoundly beautiful, in a very exciting way

Sonny A. (Keiko), Thursday, 12 February 2004 04:13 (twenty years ago) link

"You Will Call Me Kompressor." Kompressor.

janni (janni), Thursday, 12 February 2004 05:09 (twenty years ago) link

Waterloo Sunset OTM
God Only Knows OTM

Was music more beautiful in the '60s?

Debito (Debito), Thursday, 12 February 2004 05:23 (twenty years ago) link

"You Are Too Beautiful" - our song! (The wife and me, that is.)

Jazzbo (jmcgaw), Thursday, 12 February 2004 05:24 (twenty years ago) link

"Was music more beautiful in the 60's?"

I think, certainly more melodic.

jim wentworth (wench), Thursday, 12 February 2004 05:27 (twenty years ago) link

I think it has more to do with production than melody. But who can say for sure, really?

may pang (maypang), Thursday, 12 February 2004 05:31 (twenty years ago) link

I think the most beautiful song is an old black gospel song that I think is called "Were you there when they crucified my Lord?" I'm not a Christian, but whenever I heard that song when my parents took me to church on Easter when I was a kid it would fuck me right up. The chorus goes "Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble." It's really a very powerful song.

Jaromil (Jaromil), Thursday, 12 February 2004 07:11 (twenty years ago) link

Fratres Arvo Part

Jole, Thursday, 12 February 2004 07:14 (twenty years ago) link

Jim is a man after my heart....

The Left Banke-Pretty Ballerina

MOST...BEAUTIFUL...SONG...EVER!

Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Thursday, 12 February 2004 08:17 (twenty years ago) link

My first thought was Bill Wither's "Ain't No Sunshine", but the Good Dr. Bill is probably right about the Beach Boy's "God Only Knows". Depending on who is doing it, "Walkin' After Midnight" is a beautiful song as well.

grapeshine (grapeshine), Thursday, 12 February 2004 08:25 (twenty years ago) link

I like The Clientele's "Reflections After Jane".

@d@ml (nordicskilla), Thursday, 12 February 2004 08:37 (twenty years ago) link

wire - outdoor miner

pete b. (pete b.), Thursday, 12 February 2004 09:22 (twenty years ago) link

With beats:

Tom and Joyce - "Vai minha tristeza"

Without beats and sad:

Townes van Zandt - "Rex's blues"

Weirdly affecting cheesy with beats choice:

Q Tex - "Power of love"

Jacob (Jacob), Thursday, 12 February 2004 10:06 (twenty years ago) link

Eno, "By This River"

Jeremy (Jeremy), Thursday, 12 February 2004 10:20 (twenty years ago) link

Bill Withers OTM! I also like Brand New Day - Sebadoh and Foggy Eyes - Beat Happening. Weird there haven't been a lot of songs mentioned w/female vocals because thats what I'd assume would have the most potential for beautyality.

christhamrin (christhamrin), Thursday, 12 February 2004 10:37 (twenty years ago) link

"Pavane pour une infante défunte" - Ravel
"In My Room" - Beach Boys
"Last Day on Earth" - Swervedriver
"I Don't Want To Hear It Anymore" - Walker Brothers/Jerry Butler


Rocco, Thursday, 12 February 2004 14:00 (twenty years ago) link

La La Means I Love You.


Rick Massimo (Rick Massimo), Thursday, 12 February 2004 15:08 (twenty years ago) link

"This Woman's Work" by Kate Bush

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 12 February 2004 15:09 (twenty years ago) link

Yes mcalmont/butler

remember the lmao (darraghmac), Monday, 15 January 2018 22:57 (six years ago) link

This song from a somewhat obscure Renaissance album:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yki_mJnzBM

Annie Haslam has got to have one of the best voices I have ever heard - that high note she hits in the chorus is pretty nuts

frogbs, Monday, 15 January 2018 23:07 (six years ago) link

Ugh rude

It's yes by mcalmont butler fyi

remember the lmao (darraghmac), Monday, 15 January 2018 23:09 (six years ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFEftsKAUvY

flappy bird, Monday, 15 January 2018 23:36 (six years ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzWYUomBpwg&sns=em

treeship 2, Tuesday, 16 January 2018 04:27 (six years ago) link

That or Stephanie Says. Or this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBDdsNyuLG8&sns=em

treeship 2, Tuesday, 16 January 2018 04:32 (six years ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m-6bU4x7us

this

kolakube (Ross), Tuesday, 16 January 2018 04:32 (six years ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O92UBBaiI4&sns=em

Maybe not “beautiful” in the sense that most of the songs in this thread are, but the lamentably short piano sectionof this song that goes from like 3:25 to 4:10 might be my favorite moment in all of music.

treeship 2, Tuesday, 16 January 2018 04:45 (six years ago) link

That track is magical.

treeship 2, Tuesday, 16 January 2018 04:47 (six years ago) link

1er Gymnopédie

The Bridge of Ban Louis J (silby), Tuesday, 16 January 2018 06:37 (six years ago) link

game of Life- dusty springfield
stardust- nat king cole
hallelujiah- jeff buckley
one- u2
hang me in red- maria mckee
needle & the damage done- neil young
born slippy- underworld
angel- sarah mclachlan
i know- jude
amazing grace- anyone
but you really should try to find:

she moves through the fair- phil coulter

i'm also partial to the song during the baptism sequence of oh brother where art thou too.

― darragh.mac (darragh.mac), Monday, September 27, 2004 12:37 AM (thirteen years ago)

do you still rep for any of these in 2018? Dusty's 'Goin' Back' is eternal, though idk if it's the most beautiful song of all time (pretty sure that honor goes to some Suede bro's side project)

jesus and figs and science and the foo fighters (unregistered), Tuesday, 16 January 2018 13:15 (six years ago) link

I'll rep for a few of them but a good few wouldn't make a top list now alright

remember the lmao (darraghmac), Tuesday, 16 January 2018 13:49 (six years ago) link

I wouldn't go with Coulter's version although it might be fair to say that most versions or interpretations you might hear would probably be heavily influenced.

remember the lmao (darraghmac), Tuesday, 16 January 2018 13:50 (six years ago) link

"Somewhere over the rainbow" is indelible.

dinnerboat, Tuesday, 16 January 2018 15:11 (six years ago) link

"Aguas de Marco" the Antonio Carlos Jobim version with Elis Regina. Runner-up would be "Otis" by The Durutti Column.

damosuzuki, Tuesday, 16 January 2018 15:34 (six years ago) link

four months pass...

Might still be "Sometimes" by James.

Josh in Chicago, Monday, 11 June 2018 01:47 (five years ago) link

7 years later, still Clair de Lune for me.

✖✖✖ (Moka), Monday, 11 June 2018 02:33 (five years ago) link

We need a spotify playlist of this one sans the joke suggestions.

✖✖✖ (Moka), Monday, 11 June 2018 02:34 (five years ago) link

here comes the rain again

difficult listening hour, Monday, 11 June 2018 02:37 (five years ago) link

OXBOW LAKES

and/or Seadrum/House of Sun

El Tomboto, Monday, 11 June 2018 02:40 (five years ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-0G_FI61a8

couldn't choose anything not slathered in personal nostalgia

lowercase (eric), Monday, 11 June 2018 02:54 (five years ago) link

Intro of "Brighter" by Slowdive, always heartbreakingly beautiful to me

Vinnie, Monday, 11 June 2018 04:26 (five years ago) link

Nanou 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5dcEXpViiI

i’m still stanning (morrisp), Monday, 11 June 2018 04:31 (five years ago) link

this specific recording

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p4UML8qJNc&t=3s

flappy bird, Monday, 11 June 2018 04:44 (five years ago) link

sorry

flappy bird, Monday, 11 June 2018 04:45 (five years ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p4UML8qJNc

flappy bird, Monday, 11 June 2018 04:45 (five years ago) link

This bitter earth

Slippage (Ross), Monday, 11 June 2018 04:46 (five years ago) link

"Feather" by Little Dragon is definitely on the list
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnEw7c1Ozh8

Prefecture, Tuesday, 12 June 2018 03:00 (five years ago) link

'New Grass' is still the best answer anyway
i'd have maybe said that a couple of years ago but these days from talk talk i'd prefer i believe in you. it covers the whole world, a free rhythm, a touching melody, a heavenly choir, a wild & weird improvisation. it is like a small chamber symphony, just hanging there, rough & sweet. the instruments sound so natural, i have been thinking to buy myself new huge speakers just for this piece of music.

but in the end julia would still be my fave i guess. what i really love about that song is that lennon seems to whisper it into my ears and sing it directly to me. it is the most intimate song i know, i can only listen to it on my own as i'd feel very uncomfortable in a group.

Ich bin kein Berliner (alex in mainhattan), Tuesday, 12 June 2018 16:18 (five years ago) link

"I Believe in You" is beautiful, but the last 90 seconds or so of "New Grass" gets to me more deeply than almost anything, so that in my view remains the better choice.

Freedom, Tuesday, 12 June 2018 16:35 (five years ago) link

The version of “unchained melody” by the fleetwoods that is in things to come

U. K. Le Garage (wins), Tuesday, 12 June 2018 16:47 (five years ago) link

Oh, oops. Try this instead:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN07oRXzT50

Not with a bang but a MAGA (Old Lunch), Tuesday, 12 June 2018 16:56 (five years ago) link

New grass is a great answer. So many nights I’ve rolled that out to just feel at peace.

Slippage (Ross), Tuesday, 12 June 2018 17:10 (five years ago) link

This woman’s work is also a good answer

Slippage (Ross), Tuesday, 12 June 2018 17:12 (five years ago) link


You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.