The most beautiful song ever written?

[SybianRiot]

Driving to work listening to the likes of Silent Night, Ave Maria and the like got me wondering....what is the most beautiful song ever written? A matter of opinion of course and I'd like to hear yours. They don't have to be Christmas songs....

[jtm622]

"Sonata Pathetique" by Beethoven (not really a "song", I guess... but a truly beautiful piece of music, nonetheless)

[guitgator]

I'll stick to pop songs since I'm not up to speed with the classics

"Yesterday" by McCartney

[GerryJ]

I'd say Ave Maria by Schubert if I had to pick just one.
Very lyrical, and the melody is completely unpredictable, as opposed to most western european songs which aren't intentionally dissonant. has a buildup, major/minor variation, climax, peaceful resolution, all in what 3 minutes (as opposed to 80 minutes for a symphony).

[Rotten]

"Something" by George Harrison with the Beatles.

[SybianRiot]

Cool so far. I had a feeling yesterday would pop up pretty quick, as it came to mind while listening to the aforementioned Christmas tunes. I am pretty partial to moonlight sonata myself... and when I say "song", I mean any piece of composed music.

[mge80]

Baby Got Back by Anthony Ray (Sir Mix-A-Lot)

[SybianRiot]

Touche'. There is something beautiful about a song that is such a poignant reminder of the decline of western culture.

[Willie Johnson]

One song that always evokes an emotional response from me and one that I think is really beautiful is Jackson Brownes's Late for the Sky (although, there are many other beautiful songs on that album as well.)

[TD_Madden]

"Sonata Pathetique" by Beethoven (not really a "song", I guess... but a truly beautiful piece of music, nonetheless)


The Second Movement KILLS.

[Nick67]

Alone Again Or-Love/Bryan MacLean
Old Man-Love/Bryan MAclean
Ava Maria

[Noah]

Greensleeves has a beautiful melody...also "Lick My Love Pump" in D minor

[jtm622]

Greensleeves has a beautiful melody...also "Lick My Love Pump" in D minor

Nigel? Is that you???

[jimmyj]

Claude Debussy-Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun)

[GCDEF]

Hard to pick. I'd put Great Gig in the Sky on the list. Probably not first place, but it should be there somewhere.

[reddgeetarzan]

I don't know about the "most" beautiful, but I stop and listen intently EVERY time I hear this song....

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=EGw3-j6LDUw&feature=related


This one rocks and is beautiful too...

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWzGlXJXEN8

I'm thinking in more of a "rock" context today for some reason!

[HurricaneJesus]

Baby Got Back by Anthony Ray (Sir Mix-A-Lot)

The second movement KILLS.

[leofenderbender]

Greensleeves

Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, Debussy

Danses sacre et profane, Debussy

Claire du lune, Debussy

Trois gymnopedies, Satie

Romeo & Juliet, Prokofieff

[stevebandworks]

My Foolish Heart

[korby]

Love, Reign o'er Me

[rah3]

"Old and Lost Rivers" by Tobias Picker

-RAH3

[gsf]

Warmth of the Sun BW made melodic sense of C-Am-Eb-Cm. (6 or 7 others he wrote are good for me too. Some of the strongest melodies written from any genre)
Stravinsky - Firebird Suite (individually 3rd movement???(the soft melody before the strong tympani movement) and last section)
Bold As Love, esp rhythm and last solos
+1 on aft of a faun
So many meaningful good ones, it's difficult to stop.

[bjjp2]

"Bridge Over Troubled Water"

[aeolian]

So many Stevie Wonder songs. But I have a soft spot for Superwoman/Last Summer

Warmth of the Sun is also a winner.

Lots of wonderful melodies in classical music.

Rachmaninoff's Paganini Variations (I think number 18 is the popular one that got used in Somewhere In Time and jazzed up in Groundhog day) and the 2nd movement of the 2nd Piano Concerto.

Beethoven's 6'th symphony (actually the 5th written but due to first performances the Pastoral is commonly called the 6th and the Emporer is called the 5th)

Borodin's Nocturne (I want to do a fusion guitar version of this melody someday)

And my all time favorite, turn out the lights and lose myself in the music, Tchaikovsky's Andante Cantabile.

[dunara]

Bacharach all the way for me:

'Alfie'
'I say a little Prayer'
'A house is not a home'
'One less bell to answer'
'God give me strength'

[astigtigas]

Love, Reign o'er Me
:agree

also The Rain Song by Led Zeppelin :bow

[SonicGator]

Amazing Grace

[fyrwyr]

Lord of the starfields-Bruce Cockburn

[theflyingturtle]

Arggg! Someone just beat me to Amazing Grace. O.K. The second movement of the Concierto De Aranjuez. It represents the composer's conversation with God after the death of his son. It's not only a profoundly deep and beautiful composition but it is more akin to an "chathartic experience". YMMV.

[mge80]

The second movement KILLS.

I had my second movement a little while ago.

It KILLED.:worried

[RickNew]

Danny Boy... a very simple but beautiful melody and if you are of Scots/Irish descent as I am it will grab you by the throat every time

[matthet]

Melissa- ABB

[winkofaneye]

'Ribbons In The Sky'--Stevie Wonder

'Little Wing'--Jimi Hendrix

[eBay]

Maybe Somewhere Over the Rainbow

[henry_the_horse]

I would say that in the context of popular western anglo-music: Brian Wilson's "God Only Knows" seconded by McCartney's "Here, There and Everywhere". The former was inspired by the first one, and McCartney has stated that the GOK is the best popular song ever written.

Regards

[halcyon85]

Marooned - Pink Floyd

[korby]

Surfs Up Beach Boys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-n83crO0rY&feature=related

[AlexF]

Moon River for me

[guitarslinger21]

Ice Dance - by Danny Elfman From Edward Scissorhands

[Dave Orban]

Danny Boy... a very simple but beautiful melody and if you are of Scots/Irish descent as I am it will grab you by the throat every time
Absolutely.

Some of my favorites in the "pop" category that make me stop whatever I'm doing and listen include:

Eva Cassidy singing Sting's "Fields of Gold," or "I Know You By Heart"

Bonnie Raitt singing "I Can't Make You Love Me"

The Roches singing "Hammond Song"

Stan Rogers singing "First Christmas"

Geoff Muldaur singing "I've Got to Find Blind Lemon"

Jackson Browne singing "In the Shape of a Heart"

James Taylor singing "Frozen Man"

Joni Mitchell singing "River"

The Tartan Tones singing "Night of Silence"

Steve Goodman singing "City of New Orleans"

Steve James singing Ray Charles' "Born to Lose"

Elvis Costello singing "Allison"

The Beach Boys singing "Caroline, No"

The Band singing "The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down," and "It Makes No Difference"

...and a whole bunch of others that escape me, at the moment.

[Steve73]

I am not really a classical guy but I am going to go with Gnossienne 1 by Erik Satie....

[chrisr777]

When I think beautiful in a rock song, I always think of Hello Again by Tommy Bolin.

[DC1]

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=a1gmgPFt_ww

(The choral setting of the Adagio)


Morton Lauridsen O Magnum Mysterium

Faure's Requiem

James Taylor Sweet Baby James

Moody Blues Nights in White Satin




dc

[Scott Miller]

Youkali Tango - Kurt Weil

[alexanderplatz]

http://www.bossa.net/image/A/Astrud_Gilberto/GetzAuGoGo-thumb.jpg

"Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars)" as performed by Astrud Gilberto & Stan Getz on Getz Au Go Go.

[re-animator]

Liszt's Consolation number 3 and Canon in D by pachelbel come to mind.

[dirtyfingers]

I've always liked Tears in heaven, especially knowing what it was about. Chokes me up if I think about it too much
Pat

[wlalpaugh]

"Angie" the Stones

[iamdavea]

The most beautiful song is Katell Keineg's "Battle of the Trees"--it's beautiful in many different ways, not all of them conventional.

[iamdavea]

A close second would be Jonatha Brooke's "Ten Cent Wings".

[keninsyr]

"Where were you". Jeff Beck. Majestic, beautiful and haunting. Saw him do it live and it almost brought me to tears.

[jefesq]

Forever Autumn - Moody Blues

[bluesjunior]

So many beautiful songs to choose from but off the top of my head I would go for Lowell George's Roll um Easy by Little Feat followed by JJ Cale's Magnolia and as an instrumental Carlos Santana's Samba Pa Ti is hard to beat.

[korby]

Andrea Bocelli - Time To Say Goodbye (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkmiVtFJJxFABkvFXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzM2c2Njk zBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMgRjb2xvA3NrMQR2dGlkA1IyMDRfMTIw/SIG=12j86r6fd/EXP=1230243349/**http%3a//www.dizzler.com/music/Andrea_Bocelli/Time_To_Say_Goodbye)

[johnnyqb]

East of the Sun, West of the Moon
by Stan Getz, recorded while he was dying on the record, "People Time"

[jonbaker]

james taylor singing "frozen man"

+111111111119 :aok

[WILLIEKENDRICK]

"Georgia On My Mind"--the Ray Charles version. Nothing in this world quite like it.

[bilbal]

I know I always seem to answer with something to do with The Dead, but Garcia wrote beautiful music to Hunter's lyrics.

Stella Blue, So Many Roads, Days Between, etc..., pretty much all of the second set Jer' ballads can qualify.

[armando]

Paul McCartney's "My Love"

[Sunburst71]

This is my favorite song (It's Israeli.) The singing starts about 20 seconds into the clip.

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=-ou-AV0LdRI

[Don P.]

Townes Van Zandt's "To Live Is To Fly"

['70 RS]

Another vote for "God Only Knows"

[readymade]

The Pogues' "Pair of Brown Eyes" and the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows" are up there

[fender753]

I always thought SRV's Lenny was very beautiful and heartfelt, one of my favorites.

[DC1]

"Georgia On My Mind"--the Ray Charles version. Nothing in this world quite like it.

Yes indeed


dc

[scoob]

This is on The Windam Hill Celtic Christmas III CD - Sails Of Galway - Snuffy Walden

Just a beautiful song...

[DC1]

This is my favorite song (It's Israeli.) The singing starts about 20 seconds into the clip.

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=-ou-AV0LdRI

That's very nice! What's it about?



dc

[clemduolian]

John Coltrane "Naima" from Giant Steps. Transcendence and grace in 4:24 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdY8205qUuY

[DC1]

OMG does this rock!

Makes Metallica sound like Bread....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS9BuvQzaqs

(I don't know why they cut it off so soon!)

dc

[VaughnC]

One I don't think I'd ever get tired of hearing: The Seekers - "I'll Never Find Another You":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfLstywUh90

Another, with sort of a spiritual feel: Moody Blues - "Nights in White Satin":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9muzyOd4Lh8&feature=related

Another that always got my goat: Procol Harem - "Whiter Shade of Pale":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbWULu5_nXI

A '60's anthem that I never tire of hearing: Scott McKenzie - "San Francisco":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DspcTcVslsI&feature=related

[Sunburst71]

Hey, I'm glad you like it. The song is called "Atour Miz-heh", which loosely translates to "Your forehead is wreathed (in black gold.)" It's a poem about an unattainable lover.

The music was written by Yoni Rechter, one of Israel's premier pop composers. The singers are Arik Einstein on lead, and Yehudith Ravitz and Korin Alal on backup vox.

That's very nice! What's it about?



dc

[cigpow]

http://www.bossa.net/image/A/Astrud_Gilberto/GetzAuGoGo-thumb.jpg

"Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars)" as performed by Astrud Gilberto & Stan Getz on Getz Au Go Go.


This song murders me every time I hear it.........so beautiful.


That being said, I don't think there is one song that is the most beautiful.......some that I really enjoy include

How Long has This Been Going On?

When I fall in Love

Everything Happens to me

[DC1]

Hey, I'm glad you like it. The song is called "Atour Miz-heh", which loosely translates to "Your forehead is wreathed (in black gold.)" It's a poem about an unattainable lover.

The music was written by Yoni Rechter, one of Israel's premier pop composers. The singers are Arik Einstein on lead, and Yehudith Ravitz and Korin Alal on backup vox.


Thank you. I enjoyed that.


dc

[DC1]

In the wee small hours of the morning.





dc

[Lution]

"Where were you". Jeff Beck. Majestic, beautiful and haunting. Saw him do it live and it almost brought me to tears.

That is Really Beautiful!!! Good Choice




I'd Say, for me at the moment are:

The First Time Ever I saw You're Face - The Lauryn Hill version

& Adagietto - From Mahler's 5th http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3Yyaqqd9gg

[Frankee]

Schubert's Ave Maria
The Fuzz I Love You For All Seasons
Smokey Robinson Give Her Up
And pretty much anything done by the St. Louis Cathedral Choir of New Orleans......talk about heartwrenching. I've caught their rehearsal, and have had my eyes get all watery.

[killerburst]

"If It's Magic" - Stevie Wonder
"Nothing Compares 2 U" - Prince via Sinead O'Connor

[jzgtrguy]

What is the most beautiful song is like trying to say who is the best guitarist YMMV However. I have always really like "MY Song" by Keith Jarrett.

[eBay]

Who Lives Up There - Snuffy Waldon

[mike walker]

So many great songs mentioned,

'Company' by Ricky lee jones is a beautiful song.

Also Johnny Mandels 'A Time for Love' as sung by Shirley Horn.

Joni's 'A case of you' Vince Mendozas arrangement.

Mike

[freedom's door]

"Summer Dress" by Red House Painters

Take a listen:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KeRPCQnupuo

[re-animator]

Whoops, almost forgot John Coltrane's "Alabama"

[hogy]

So many...

If I had to pick a top three this hour it would be:

Liebestod
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLoHcB8A63M

Way Sab Toon Sohniya
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUcvBnrlDkg&feature=channel

My Favorite Things
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyQEcpn2f_U

[tommyg]

For pure power and majesty - and particluarly during this holiday season there is no other song that makes me want to crank the sterio when I hear...

The "Alleluia Chorus"!

[realmpel]

Beatrice--Stan Getz

Naima--John Coltrane

Billy Breathes--Phish

Scarborough Fair--Simon and Garfunkel

Lacrimosa--Mozart

Great thread! Listening to Sonata Pathetique now and it is quite amazing.

~Kevin

[lewisanderson]

'Dolphins' by Tim Buckley, originally written by Fred Neil. A really underrated song.

[Dave Orban]

Lotsa great songs here...! Keep 'em coming!

[marklp]

Bach's Chaconne in d minor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bVRTtcWmXI

[rubbersoul]

Amazing Grace
Dream a Little Dream
In My Life

[Caretaker]

Clapton`s Wonderful Tonight for personal reasons.

[TwoTubMan]

For me it's a tie between "Victoria Sage" and "Folk Song" by Jack Bruce. Couldn't live without either of them.

[Jade]

Whew, I thought about this one a long time, and then saw Rubbersoul said "Amazing Grace" I think I'll agree with that.

Merry Christmas!
Jade

[todd richman]

I Love You-Climax Blues Band
Maybe I'm Amazed-Macca
You Are So Beautiful-Joe Cocker
Throw in a Fogelberg tune and Time In a Bottle by Jim Croce

[jhvox]

So many...

If I had to pick a top three this hour it would be:

Liebestod
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLoHcB8A63M



+100000! I'm also completely shattered every time I hear the finale of Parisfal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-UEar-WYEc

[jlw001]

Violin Concerto in E Minor by Felix Mendelssohn. Especially the version played by Isaac Stern. That melody/theme is incredible.

[Teh Smith]

Albatross. Always makes me stop and listen.
Joni: Refuge of the Roads
Blue in Green
Cat Stevens: Into White

[macatt]

"Bodies" Sex Pistols

[davetcan]

"Wond'ring Aloud" Jethro Tull.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORNS3yHWdL8&feature=related

honorable mention:

Loreena McKennitt - Lady of Shalott - Tennyson put to song - full version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDdAVOz39TA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gzLyjelCwQ&feature=related

live short version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU_Tn-HxULM

[Andromeda]

"For Love Alone" by Larry Carlton

[NeuroLogic]

In the last year I've heard the Cleveland Orchestra perform Bach's Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring and Beethoven's 5th at Severance Hall. I've studied and play all types of music and IMO picks these two as the ultimates in melody and the arrangements/instrumentation are pure genius. After that I could go on for days about Mozart as there is certaily perfection there. Then, Debussey, Miles, Beatles, Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny, Spyro Gyra, etc., etc. in no particular order.

[korby]

Genesis "Supper's Ready"

[reno88]

don't know if it has been mentioned (haven't read the entire thread), but "in my life" from rubber soul has to be included in the discussion. rip, john and george.

[clapointe1]

Seek And Destroy by Metallica !

[authen]

For some reason I've always had a wierd sentimental thing for Landslide by Fleetwood Mac - one of my favorite songs.

Lindsey's playing is awesome on this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhNrrrCCTdA

Merry Christmas to you all!

[Serious Poo]

Easter by Marillion

[HoboMan]

Beethoven fur Elise - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n5ZSqMU0Jw

Prelude from Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU_QR_FTt3E

[jgyn]

'Heroin', Velvet Underground.

[GerryJ]

My Foolish Heart

in that style, if not already mentioned, - stardust


my one and only love, on the Coltrane/johnny Hartman album ballads

[Mike M]

Stevie Wonder "Overjoyed".

[Teh Smith]

I stole a ride on a passing star
Not knowing where I was going
How near or how far
Through years of light, lands of future and past
Until the heavenly gates
Were sighted at last

Starrider, rider, rider
Take me to the stars
Starrider, rider, rider
Show me where you are

Northern lights flashed by
And then they were gone
And as old stars would die
So the new ones were born

And ever on I sailed
Celestial ways
And in the light of my years
Shone the rest of my days

Speed increasing
All control is in the hands of those who know
Will they help us grow
To one day be starriders

Starrider, rider, rider
Show me where you are
Starrider, rider, rider
Take me to the stars

Speed increasing
All control is in the hands of those who know
Will they help us grow
To one day be starriders

[skydog]

Ava's Eyes; a song written by Richie Sambora upon the birth of his daughter.

[mikem]

Everybody's Got To Learn Sometimes- forget who does it
Windows And Walls- Dan Fogelberg
The End- David Gilmour- spectacular solo morphs from acoustic to electric
Ridiculous Thoughts- Cranberries
Golden Hair- Syd Barrett
Ave Maria

Mike

[Mike Duncan]

Across the Universe

[Cable Guy]

Im sure you guys will think these are odd choices but " The Search is over" by Survivor and " Ive just seen Jesus" by Sandy Patti and Larnelle <sp?> Harris

Great melody and harmony in both tunes.

[iamdavea]

I take back what I said earlier; the most beautiful song is actually Sam Phillips' "Flame".

[Alastorbr]

Any Elliott Smith. Waltz #2 (XO), Independence Day and Alameda are favorites of mine.

Hummingbird by Wilco is always amazing.

[Dr Git]

Some really interesting takes here. Gotta agree with many of them. Here's a few of mine. Not really all love songs. but damn good tracks just the same

1) Wonderful Tonight - EC
2) Samba Pa Ti - Santana
3) Easter - Marillion
4) Tesla - Love Song
5) Gypsy Eyes - Hendrix

[DAB]

Wow! Lotsa good stuff but I cannot believe we got all the way through 8 pages of posts and nobody picked Dire Straits "Romeo and Juliet". My favorite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3n2wXEFeLI

Way up there for me is The Bangles "Eternal Flame".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxf6Xd75yUo

OH Yeah. One song that is so good it touches my heart and makes me cry is "Hard Candy Christmas" by Dolly Parton.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXwUNV1xzr0

:p

[diego]

Elm - Richie Bierach

[Prodigy]

I'll probably get laughed outta here, but my pick as the number one most beautiful song is U2's "With or Without You"...If I had to pick another (Gawd, there are so many!), I'd say Martin Sexton's "Black Sheep".

:hide

[Cable Guy]

Goodbye Steve Earle

Leader of the Band Dan Fogelberg RIP

[Mike Duncan]

I like John Denver's Annie's Song and We Belong by Pat Benatar.

[bjjp2]

You know, "Stairway to Heaven" ain't bad.

[fish78]

"I love you so ****in' much, I could shit"...never published, never recorded, but most beautiful song ever...never understood why nobody ever picked it up. :D

[Dunnej]

"Where Will I Be" off of Emmylou Harris' Spyboy album...goosebumps every time.

[Telephile]

Too many to mention but one i like to feel sappy to.
"Let Him Fly" Patti griffin.
Oh yeah and another vote for "Georgia on My Mind" Ray Charles

[twinrider1]

Roberta Flack's Killing Me Softly With His Song.

[freedom's door]

I like John Denver's Annie's Song and We Belong by Pat Benatar.

Damn, forgot about JD-

"Sunshine On My Shoulders" is definitely a contender IMO

[cugel]

lets see...

dancing queen
on a plain
good vibrations
beyond belief
late in the day

[wtdpblake]

Time by Alan Parsons Project

[Ang3lus]

While my guitar gently weeps - G. Harisson

[Lava Lamp]

"The Fool" - Quicksilver Messenger Service

[Ken Ho]

I'll probably get laughed outta here, but my pick as the number one most beautiful song is U2's "With or Without You"...If I had to pick another (Gawd, there are so many!), I'd say Martin Sexton's "Black Sheep".

:hide\

No laughing, I was about to nominate that.
Another vote for Knopfler's Romeo and Juliet too.
How about Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah ?
"Dulcinea" from The Man from La Mancha ?
Danny Boy is nice, I spent a few weeks studying that with my vocal teacher, and it taught me a lot.
JJ Cale Magnolia too, great song.

[atquinn]

"Honest I Do" from John Scofield's Grace Under Pressure album.

-Austin

[HoboMan]

Romeo and Juliet - A time for us

Two versions
Piano Version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcyRO_ZFa9I&feature=related)

Violin Version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHyR4ZzA2R0&feature=related)

[Red Suede]

Roy Orbison singing anything.
"The Chain" Fleetwood Mac
"Nights In White Satin" Moody Blues (the orchestration kills me every time)!

[Soundhound]

Long Distance Love
Comfortably Numb

[Grenville]

Everybody's Got To Learn Sometimes- forget who does it

Mike

The Korgis did Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime. Great song.

I always liked 'And You and I' and 'To Be Over' by Yes. I'd love to hear somebody revisit the latter with a bit of creative rearranging, ie maybe less guitar embroidery.

Also:
This Mortal Coil - Song to the Siren
Brooke Fraser - Shadow Feet
Riki Michele - Big Big Town
Clannad - In a Lifetime
Damien Rice - The Blower's Daughter

[rgsss14]

Maybe Somewhere Over the Rainbow

The Bruddah Iz version is pretty haunting.....

[Dave Orban]

The Bruddah Iz version is pretty haunting.....Indeed!

[John II]

Monte Montgomery's "Six String Wooden Friend"

See for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHd2x9NRRhU

[Red Suede]

"Space Oddity" David Bowie

[devinb]

Salvation is Created, Tchesnokov

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n1O1CHAXbU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n1O1CHAXbU)

[Braciola]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MM5ufAMY3c

[Prof KM]

Woah, plenty of pages here! I'm too tired to go through them all, so I'm just going to say "Air" by Jason Becker :)

[rwe333]

Heard The Long and Winding Road for the first time in a while today - that sure qualifies...
Also Joni's Come in from the Cold really affects me...
There are many more...

[Lespaulsignature 74]

Jeff Beck Cause We've Ended as Lovers
Jeff Beck Definitely Maybe

[Lespaulsignature 74]

Cause We've Endede As Lovers Jeff Beck
Definitely Maybe Jeff Beck

[TNJ]

Clair de Lune


S.
j

[Rock Johnson]

Vocalise by Rachmaninoff, for the win.

[playon]

I have a soft spot for "somewhere over the rainbow"...

[JS335]

I'm sure it's been mentioned, The Long and Winding Road

[alexanderplatz]

I have a soft spot for "somewhere over the rainbow"...

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is a beautiful song. NPR did an interesting broadcast a couple of moths ago about the structure and composition of the song:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94281015

[Dr Git]

I agree. Also the Beatles could easily have 3 in the top 10

I'm sure it's been mentioned, The Long and Winding Road

[Braxtone]

Pachelbel's Canon in D! Hands down the most beautiful, moving compositions I have ever heard. That of course is my opinion. Happy Holidays.

[Ginglymus]

Gabriel Faure's Pavane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSx1xQFwp84

Genesis' "Hairless Heart". Here is a version is played by the Steve Hackett Acoustic Trio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzZetTZ943I

UK's "Nevermore"

Joni Mitchell, "Song To A Seagull"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSb74ALvXco

[DC1]

Clair de Lune


S.
j

Yes!

Holdsworth says it always bring tears when he hears it.

You can almost smell the lost world of Le Belle Epoque when this music plays...


dc

[Lucidology]

Yo ... ya know I luvs ya all ..
but how can someone possibly settle on one song or piece of music ...
At least that's an impossibility to settle upon for moi ...

For instance, some of the most beautiful passages
I've ever heard in all of music can be found in "The Rite of Spring"...

'Tis relative to what ever may be sounding in the air ... (IMHO)

[Mudder]

I'm thinking of more modern, popular music. Of course there are plenty of beautiful classical songs, but I can't speak on that which I don't know. So I'm going with...

Angel - Sarah McLachlan
Whiskey Lullaby - Paisley/Alison Krauss

Both put a heavy feeling in my chest, beautiful songs.

[hogy]

Pachelbel's Canon in D! Hands down the most beautiful, moving compositions I have ever heard. That of course is my opinion. Happy Holidays.

Watch this then:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM

[tedzepplin]

"Something" by George Harrison with the Beatles.

+1 I agree

[Electric I]

Those Who Wait - Tommy Emmanuel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdt4Y2fNXOI

[alexanderplatz]

I would give an honorable mention to "God Only Knows" by Brian Wilson. It's certainly one of the most impressive compositions in terms of music theory, yet it is a simple, beautiful tune.

[Teleplayer]

"Beyond The Blue" by Emmylou Harris and Patty Griffin. Simple and beautiful song, with other-worldly production.

It goes to a place where no other song has ever been, or will likely ever go for me.

[Abe]

Sleepwalk-Santo & Johnny

Just The Way You Are-Billy Joel

All I ask of You-Phantom of the Opera

Attics of My Life-Grateful Dead

[johnnyqb]

Paul McCartney's "My Love"

yeah, that's a good vote, there

[lhallam]

"A Day In The Life" - The Beatles

[6Tones]

Ill throw these rare jem in,beautiful in melancholy way


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTYITcO4Zic

[Wobegon]

Wow 12 pages without:

Bridge Over Trouble Water (S&G)
Crazy (Willie Nelson)
Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)

EDIT: How Time Slips Away (Willie Nelson) - this song always gets me a little choked up.

[slider313]

Dying to Live: Edgar Winter

[Born2Blues67]

"Where were you". Jeff Beck. Majestic, beautiful and haunting. Saw him do it live and it almost brought me to tears.

Wonderful song. Sounds like angels singing.

[Fishin'Musician]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJRmkannGQM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJRmkannGQM)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3D-HmjzFy0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3D-HmjzFy0)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOVwokQnV4M (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOVwokQnV4M)

[Fishin'Musician]

For me, far and above the rest is:
"For No One" (McCartney composition form Revolver, but specifically the Emmylou Harris interpretation, if you've never heard it do yourself a huge favor...it's on "Pieces of the Sky")

"Telling Me Lies" from the Trio album (Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton)

"Oh Holy Night"

"Bridge Over Troubled Water"

"Winds of March”, “Patiently" (Journey)

"Killing Me Softly"

“Because”

“Boulder To Birmingham” (Emmylou’s ode to the late Graham Parsons)

“Candle In The Wind”

“The Rain Song”

“Angel” (Sarah McLachlan)

“Everybody Hurts”

“I Will”

“Down To The River To Pray”

“Highland Wedding” (Steve Morse from “High Tension Wires”)

“Somewhere” (from West Side Story; Tom Waits interpretation = amazing!)

“Layla”

“Rhapsody in Blue”

“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”

[bigjim]

"Summer Days"

http://www.myspace.com/theviaducts (http://www.myspace.com/theviaducts)

[neastguy]

"a man needs a maid" neil young

[zosozep7]

Hard to pick. I'd put Great Gig in the Sky on the list. Probably not first place, but it should be there somewhere.

Add me onto that pick! Top 5 for me! Rachel Fury did an incredible job when I seen them.

[paulgroove82]

Up there on my list is East Mountain South's 'So Are You To Me'

Simple, painted, beautiful.

[brlfq]

Driving to work listening to the likes of Silent Night, Ave Maria and the like got me wondering....what is the most beautiful song ever written? A matter of opinion of course and I'd like to hear yours. They don't have to be Christmas songs....

In my lifetime I've head maybe 20,000 songs. There must be millions more. I hear new ones every day. When I've heard them all, I'll post my answer. So far, I suspect it'll be a song about someone who's in love. A song with a toneful singer, a story that grabs my attention and guitars.

[PosterBoy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzu3Ihyq50c

Mindy Smith - One Moment More, written about her mother when she was dying of cancer. Makes me cry everytime

[Jon C]

in the pop realm..

"God Only Knows" by Brian Wilson (Beach Boys) has to be right up there (McCartney says it's the greatest song ever written IIRC).

[DC1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr6ajtA5Otg

[bjjp2]

I heard "Harvest Moon" by Neil Young on the radio the other day and thought of this thread. What a beautiful, beautiful song.

[OlAndrew]

"Summertime"

Frank again, "Goodbye" from "For Only the Lonely"

gotta second Ray Charles' "Georgia"

must be in a bit of a melancholy mood today.

[Flyin' Brian]

The Adagio from Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranuez", performed classically, or by Jim Hall (Concierto) or Miles in Sketches of Spain.
Honorable mention to Chick Corea's "Spain".

[DC1]

One more!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONUCPKdGcrk

[hogy]

Pachelbel's Canon in D! Hands down the most beautiful, moving compositions I have ever heard. That of course is my opinion. Happy Holidays.

Why, check this out, then:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM

[Rod]

Nantucket Sleighride by Mountain

[SybianRiot]

OP here. Saw my thread has kindof developed abit of a life (finally,one that stuck). Three came to mind here at the bar. Q lazarus "goodbye horses"(from silence of the lambs), Sinead O'connor's "I am enough from myself" and Vince Gill's "Go rest high upon the mountain". There truly are so,so many. God I love music.

[isfahani]

Alf Leila wa Leila, performed by Oum Kolthoum.

[Jube2550]

“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”

+1 and...

Handel's Messiah - "Hallelujah"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abcgpn2UTV8

[realityczech]

This song does it for me.
What a Wonderful World
My two fave versions-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnRqYMTpXHc&feature=PlayList&p=784FD56A29DE725B&index=0&playnext=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQuksPhbUMc

[nsureit]

"Adagio for Strings" - Samuel Barber
Brings me to tears...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA93ybVGCeg&feature=related

[orangewizard]

Has Don Henley's 'Boys of Summer' been mentioned yet? I think you could make a heck of a case for it! :hiP

[DC1]

Rascals

People Got to be Free

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo4ALcgXV2k

Beautiful


dc

[mountain blues]

For me it is a tie between 'Water Song' and 'Genesis' — Jorma Kaukonen/Hot Tuna

[FeloniousBishop]

To lead a better life I need my love to be here...

Here, making each day of the year
Changing my life with a wave of her hand
Nobody can deny that there's something there

There, running my hands through her hair
Both of us thinking how good it can be
Someone is speaking but she doesn't know he's there

I want her everywhere and if she's beside me
I know I need never care
But to love her is to need her everywhere
Knowing that love is to share

Each one believing that love never dies
Watching her eyes and hoping I'm always there

I want her everywhere and if she's beside me
I know I need never care
But to love her is to need her everywhere
Knowing that love is to share

Each one believing that love never dies
Watching her eyes and hoping I'm always there

To be there and everywhere
Here, there and everywhere

[mikeshoe]

North- Phoenix

[BeachPirate]

Kiss from a Rose

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ateQQc-AgEM

[paulydangerous]

Hendrix- Little Wing

[Digam11]

"I Don`t Want To Talk About It"

By Danny Whitten

[Digam11]

I have a soft spot for "somewhere over the rainbow"...

Livingston Taylor used to do such a nice version of this.

[6Tones]

"adagio for strings" - samuel barber
brings me to tears...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca93ybvgceg&feature=related

+1 .............

[6Tones]

Life and death...the internal and external struggle ...usually makes for some beautiful music..there is soo much out there ,but this one is one of my faves...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESARBMvPJ4M&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L9OsCPvfGY&feature=related)

[gibson60]

Slumber My Darling sung by Allison Krausse with Yo-Yo Ma on Cello

[6Tones]

Slumber My Darling sung by Allison Krausse with Yo-Yo Ma on Cello
The most sad/beautiful song Ive ever heard written or peformed was by her...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOrCfVOUf-g

[stevieboy]

I have a soft spot for "somewhere over the rainbow"...

First one to come into my mind. But there's plenty out there, as this thread shows. Beatles certainly have a few candidates.

Has anyone written a song that could be considered in the last 20 years?

I just wonder if the most beautiful song in the world is anything like the funniest joke in the world--if it is I'd rather not hear it. Unless of course it's sung in German.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gpjk_MaCGM

[Lution]

"a man needs a maid" neil young

That's a very awesome song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNHet308wYA

[joshuak]

After listening to so many over some years, this English song sung by a Japanese girl still moves me like no other:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYOvLKaMULg&feature=related

[RickNew]

Livingston Taylor used to do such a nice version of this.

(over the Rainbow)I have never heard a version of this song I didn't like. Flashback to 1973 and one of the finest shows I've ever seen, Jethro Tull at their finest. But the most enduring memory of that evening was the opening act (Livingston Taylor) and his stunning version of "Somewhere over the Rainbow". Who woulda thunk it?

[hawkeye17]

The most impressive piece of music I can think of is the 2nd Movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony. It's fierce and he wrote that while being stone deaf. Quite a feat of genius that 9th Symphony.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFMF5N7rZFA


Another good one that most probably haven't heard of is "Una Furtiva Lagrima" by Donizetti. In this version it's sung by Pavarotti:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Funp7JTWp2A&feature=related

[Thwap]

Air on the G string...Bach was just...perfect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOVwokQnV4M

[bobbymack]

Great thread, some wonderful music here...thanks.

I'll leave out the classical stuff, and focus instead on popular tunes which in my case have often been burned into my psyche by hearing / seeing certain live performances...in no particular order...

Lighthouse...JT w/ Crosby/Nash on harmonies
Romeo & Juliet...Mark Knopfler (the live version with Chris White sax solo on the final DS tour brought tears)
Killing Me Softly...Roberta Flack (the outro kills, jus' sayin'...)
Cause We've Ended As Lovers...Jeff Beck
Stella Blue...the version Jerry sang under the spotlight in the Uptown Theater in Chicago 1978 left a mark on me...beautiful
Remember Me...Willie Nelson Willie solo under the moon at Red Rocks in '81 was intensely moving
When The Sun Meets The Sky...Eric Johnson's tone and playing in the outro minutes of this tune are sublime
The Dark Side of the Moon...many, many passages on this album are hauntingly beautiful
Landslide...gotta give credit on the original Stevie Nicks performance
I Can't Make You Love Me..Bonnie Raitt wow
The Difficult Kind...Sheryl Crow wow redux
South City Midnight Lady...Doobies
Shower the People and Never Die Young...JT (poppy fer sher but again, jus sayin')
Fields of Gold...Sting like him or not...

[antojado]

How about some Gordon Lightfoot songs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPnLK1WnXxg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=794cfJsgAsY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2DjqB0SO9M&feature=related

[bobbymack]

How about some Gordon Lightfoot songs:

Yep, good call If You Could Read My Mind...really pretty.

[hawkeye17]

Opeth "Benighted"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjtZW_FCSTo

[shark_bite]

Think we covered them all in the first five pages. A giant +1 to any of the ones listed here, and I can't think of anything I'd add to top any of these. But I'd also recommend Mayer's "Covered in Rain" - live from the Any Given Thursday DVD years ago (also did a great cover of Lenny that show). And the solo acoustic version of For a Dancer, or Something Fine, or Sky Blue and Black from Jackson Browne would all be up there too.

Hard to pick. I'd put Great Gig in the Sky on the list. Probably not first place, but it should be there somewhere.

One song that always evokes an emotional response from me and one that I think is really beautiful is Jackson Brownes's Late for the Sky (although, there are many other beautiful songs on that album as well.)

"Something" by George Harrison with the Beatles.

'Ribbons In The Sky'--Stevie Wonder

'Little Wing'--Jimi Hendrix

Maybe Somewhere Over the Rainbow

I would say that in the context of popular western anglo-music: Brian Wilson's "God Only Knows" seconded by McCartney's "Here, There and Everywhere". The former was inspired by the first one, and McCartney has stated that the GOK is the best popular song ever written.

Regards

"Blue in Green"

[reeced]

Antony and the Johnsons - Hope There's Someone
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=6kMIFDm7rS8

Charles Trenet - La Mer
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=fd_nopTFuZA

Allison Moorer - Send Down an Angel
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=1w10nZcj0Qk

Marlene Dietrich - Lilli Marlene (or Marleen)
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=W7J6OPurrtw

[SideBMusic]

Wow, difficult to narrow down to one, but "Good Vibrations" by the Beach Boys is up there on my list.

[GDking]

"Topaz" by the b-52s

[Frethog]

Off the top of my head:

Angel - Sarah McLachlan
Somebody Saved Me - Pete Townshend

actually several by Pete.

Paper Airplane - Willy Porter

actually several by Willy...

Mercy Now - Mary Gauthier

[SkydogFan81]

"Little Wing", "Something", "Melissa"

[fyrwyr]

"Something" by George Harrison with the Beatles.

That or The long and winding road, tough choice;)

[fyrwyr]

Yep, good call If You Could Read My Mind...really pretty.

Good call!!!

How about this one:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_8s2zsNhSM&feature=related

Don't know about beautiful, but it is incredible!!!

[jtees4]

I have not read thru everything...but in terms of my lifetime...I'd say YESTERDAY.

[MBreinin]

Have I posted on this? Well, if not.."Late for the Sky". If so, I change to "Late for the Sky." LOL

[Lution]

OH Yeah. One song that is so good it touches my heart and makes me cry is "Hard Candy Christmas" by Dolly Parton.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXwUNV1xzr0

A song about a bunch of prostitutes all sad because the sheriff shut down their whorehouse???

That's not the most beautiful.... it's the most sad song ever! :cry: :cry:

[aram]

i think "julia," by john lennon.

[bostonwal]

I like U2's little slices of beauty.

Promenade: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxZPxtGP2pw

Scarlet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbrFnZ80748

40: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IOs7px2ys8

and

October: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqdJ6CsXt4Y

[mr tom]

"I'm In Love" - written by Bobby Womack, recorded by The Poet and Wilson Pickett. Lovely tune, and there's something about the interlocking Cropper - Womack guitars that just does it.

[mgrossm]

purely pop songs....just at the moment

"in my life" beatles

"when you wish upon a star" louis armstrong singing

summertime ===miles davis version

hallelujah --leonard cohen== buckley's version is beautiful

bridge over troubled water/american tune--- paul simon

so many van morrison songs----so many others

[mgrossm]

oh yeah tom waits'
time
innocent when you dream

and forgot

cohens'
bird on a wire and sisters of mercy
and leon russell's song for you'

[mgrossm]

goldberg variations
keith jarrett's koln concert
shostakovich 24 preludes and fugues

[joshuak]

"The Prayer" sung by Celine Dion and Josh Groban

[fyrwyr]

"Beautiful" by Gordon Lighoot;)

[lp_bruce]

The most sad/beautiful song Ive ever heard written or peformed was by her...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOrCfVOUf-g

Awesome. Alison Krauss has such a unique, angelic voice, that it's hard not to listen. I especially like Scarlet Tide.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rw917arYDc&feature=related

Peace,

[zosozep7]

Forever Autumn - Moody Blues


All vouch for that song also! Off of the Jeff Waynes version of War of the Worlds.

[zosozep7]

KD Lang. Constant Cravings!!

[Born2Blues67]

Adele's version of Bob Dylan's " Make You Feel My Love ".

[gearhound17]

The one that comes to mind for me is Riviera Paradise by SRV.
I have to listen to the whole thing when its one.
Just conveys a certain relaxed feeling IMO.

[MusicMan7]

For me it would probably by Imagine by John Lennon. I love that song. Also, America the Beautiful by Ray Charles.

[Blazes]

What a Wondeful World -----George Weiss / Bob Thiele

Here s a nice version ...


http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=277326018

[fusionbear]

"When the sun meets the sky" by Eric Johnson

beautiful is an understatement.....

[BadCat]

I'm pretty partial to Flamenco Sketches, by Miles Davis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpvpyb-PXM0

[A.Pulverizer]

"Our Farewell" rates pretty high for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTG2pOE-QIg

[cugel]

after much thought

"there she goes" the la's (it HAS to be something by mavers, genious)
"son of a gun" nirvnana's version

[Texas_Blues]

Classics- It would be pretty hard to beat Tchaikovsky's- The Seasons.

These last few years, I would have to go with John Frusciante's "Dark/Light" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFIu_crp77M

[superchamp]

a question of balance - moody blues

[Tread]

More Today Than Yesterday - Spiral Staircase.

[jzilla]

i would never claim something is the most beautiful piece every written but i find gorecki's 3rd symphony to be crushingly beautiful.

[DC1]

i would never claim something is the most beautiful piece every written but i find gorecki's 3rd symphony to be crushingly beautiful.

Oh yeah, but you can't listen to it very often...

dc