Similarly, BT’s track “Madskills Mic Chekka” - the first time I heard this minute or so breakdown, I was blown away. I’d never heard anything like it before.
I enjoy these threads, I’m sure I’ll come up with other examples in time though.
Diary of dreams - tears of laughter
Joseph Arthur - Hallelujah
Also several songs from the album electroshock blues by the Eels.
I didn’t know this one was one the 'net until now: One of his best Love Never Dies
ftg writes:
> 25+ years ago I hear on a college radio station a cover of Haunted by a local
> group (Amanda Jones). The DJ said the original was by the Pogues.
>
> Never heard that cover again. Never found a recording of it anywhere.
>
> Trying to find the original wasn’t easy either. It originally wasn’t issued in the
> US on a regular Pogues album. It was on the Sid and Nancy soundtrack plus
> imports.
>
> Great song, my all time favorite.
It’s not clear to me what you’re claiming is impossible to find here, but the versions of “Haunted” by both Amanda Jones and by the Pogues are on YouTube.
The last time I can remember my jaw dropping at a performance was when I came across Eric Whitacre’s “Virtual Choir”. There are 3 now with a 4th on the way. I listened to all three and felt the same way on all of them. The TED talked (linked to on Virtual Choir->History page) where he shares the history of how the choir came about is one of my favorite TED talks as well.
Link here.
Things may have changed since they started looking. I remember having a devil of a time finding 10,000 Maniacs cover of “Because the Night.” About a decade later, it was everywhere.
I haven’t read all the posts, so I don’t know if this song has been mentioned.
Stan the unedited version. (Eminem, in case no one knows this song 
)
My sister was a huuuuge wigger back in the day. I’d stopped listening to rap/rapesque music b/c I felt it was misogynistic. She actually physically grabbed me and told me—“I know you! You HAVE to listen to it! I know you’ll love it!”
I did.
Edgar Meyer & Bela Fleck’s stand-up bass/banjo duet of “B Song” from Bonnaroo 2002. I didn’t see it live, but on a DVD… It was the first time I had seen Edgar Meyer play and I was blown away.
I like the top-rated comment for that video: “its like their terrible dress sense gives them superhuman musical powers”.
I was in VA about 12 years ago and my friend I was staying with had the coolest dad in the western world. He made me a tape, recorded off his Alexandria-library quantities of vinyl, and this song was on it, it blew my mind then and still does now: - YouTube
What amazes me is that it was actually a Top 20 hit in the UK when it was released. Such an ethereal, esoteric song. It makes my jaw drop anytime I hear it.
A few others that made my jaw drop:
Les Paul & Mary Ford - How High The Moon.
The Tornados - Telstar
Alvino Rey Orchestra - My Buddy.
My jaw fell off and went missing after hearing Van McCoy’s “The Hustle”. My index finger dislodged it on one of the up and across movements.
I have to concur with Pachelbel’s Canon, but for me it was the electronic version by Isao Tomita. Almost made me cry.
Recently, the version of “Another Love” by Tom Odell that he performed on Jools Holland dropped my jaw. Unfortunately I can’t find it now on the intratubes in the states, but here is the music video for it.
Not jaw-dropping, but grinning like a maniac: - YouTube
Just looked that up for the first time, despite it being fairly common music for a particular type of seen in TV shows. Love it! Wish I’d known about it when SWIM used to… get larger.
Muse - Butterflies and Hurricanes
Seriously, if you’re into alternative rock at all and haven’t heard the song, click that link.
Why the fuck do I do that all the time now? Until 2012 I NEVER accidentally wrote a phonetically similar word. I meant scene, obviously.
Other piece of music that shocked me (though not awe-inspring like the first I posted): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW3DFMSahP4 I’ve never seen the movie, but everyone’s heard THAT part of the opening. So someone nagged me into listening to the rest and wow, it’s catchy, and probably the most… evocative of the film’s genre? piece of film score I’ve ever heard, tied with: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNGe7iK1O-4
Both of those conjure up Western images in my mind, and I’ve never even seen the movies or scenes of the movies they accompany.
My father’s been having health problems, leading me to think about the day when he will pass on. I was looking for a traditional version of “Scarboro Fair/Canticle” and randomly came across John Tavener’s “Funeral Canticle” as used in the movie “The Tree of Life”. I was enjoying the scenes from the movie, then read a bit about its origin:
When I read it was written for his late father, I lost it - I buried my face in my hands and wept for the rest of the song. For a son to create something so beautiful for his father, it broke my heart.
I’ve had “The Tree of Life” DVD sitting by the TV for six months. I’m putting off watching it until I feel I can handle it. This is is the opening song-sheesh!
That’s the strongest reaction I’ve ever had to a piece of music, and it came on my second listen, so I hope that meets the spirit of the OP.
The band before this one, tonight.