# Most achingly beautiful songs ever **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 17, 2010, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584 "2010-08-17T23:15:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/221 "2010-08-22T07:59:28Z")
[Mama’s Eyes](http://s309146777.onlinehome.us//player.php) or [Who am I to say?](http://s309146777.onlinehome.us//player.php) by [Justin Townes Earle](http://s309146777.onlinehome.us//player.php) ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/222 "2010-08-22T09:21:05Z")
> [@The\_Shroud](#): > > [It’s a Motherfucker](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWUVBSwGVjQ) by Eels. Absolutely! ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/223 "2010-08-22T09:22:56Z")
Another: [“Sing Me Back Home”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN5d4TY-wHM), by Merle Haggard. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/224 "2010-08-22T11:45:30Z")
Ach! How could I forget… Linda Ronstadt’s [Winter Light](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2c4KZAYkmQ&feature=search). The cinematography doesn’t hurt, I’ll admit. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/225 "2010-08-22T17:23:23Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > Ach! How could I forget… > > Linda Ronstadt’s [Winter Light](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2c4KZAYkmQ&feature=search). The cinematography doesn’t hurt, I’ll admit. I second your “Ach!” How could I forget too. It’s my favorite Rondstat song. . ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/226 "2010-08-22T18:15:02Z")
I haven’t gone through every page in this thread, so forgive me if this one’s already been posted: [Old Souls](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2y6AAEwcNM), by Jessica Harper. ---
**Author:** ![DaveRaver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daveraver/32/1078_2.png) [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/227 "2010-08-22T22:34:41Z")
And the winner is… [Mother Sea](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gCUs9oKuO8) by Happy Rhodes! ---
**Author:** ![CWN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bc79bd/32.png) [@CWN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CWN)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/228 "2010-08-22T23:05:35Z")
There are many good ones here A few by Enya [Only time](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0NoHN1TU5I&feature=related) [SIZE=“2”]Which was used also in a touching [9/11 memorial](http://www.frugalsites.net/911/sept11.html) video[/SIZE] [Caribbean Blue](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeYL3uhYv48&feature=related) [Orinoco Flow](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfVJ11GXzXQ) ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/229 "2010-08-22T23:43:21Z")
Sang beautifully by many, including [Chuck](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj_vZqE_BCU&feature=related). 😉 there was a popular version sung by a skinny young irish tenor in the 50s, maybe earlier, who’s name I can’t remember. Please correct sing/sung if you wish. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/230 "2010-08-22T23:53:01Z")
The day that the BBC Sport team all took masses of hallucinogens and let Mark E Smith read the football results. It’s The Theme From Sparta FC: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/EBUiPs1PxKo/hqdefault.jpg "Mark E Smith reads the football results") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBUiPs1PxKo) ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/231 "2010-08-22T23:56:16Z")
It’s not entirely beautiful. “Achingly” on the other hand. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/232 "2010-08-23T00:07:08Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > The day that the BBC Sport team all took masses of hallucinogens and let Mark E Smith read the football results. It’s The Theme From Sparta FC: > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBUiPs1PxKo&feature=related](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBUiPs1PxKo&feature=related) Thanks, now i have a headache. On top of that, i just ate this wierd “bolied egg wrapped in sausage and deep fried” thing. I think something just lodged in my carotid! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/233 "2010-08-23T00:26:31Z")
This is a great thread. It inspired me (compelled, actually) to scour my collections for the surprisngly few pieces that I find “_achingly_” beautiful. If only for my own obsessive satisfaction, here’s my final complete roster, in no particular order. **Songs:** _Ashokan Farewell_ (Fiddle Fever) _Winter Light_ (Linda Ronstadt) _Keep Me From Blowing Away_ (performed by L.R.) _For No One_ (Beatles) _Can’t Help Falling_ (Elvis) _Rachel’s Song_ (Vangelis- Blade Runner ST) _Traces_ (Dennis Yost/Classics IV) _The Fool On The Hill_ (Beatles) _Don’t Worry Baby_ (Brian Wilson) _Caroline, No_ (BW) _Lady-O_ (performed by The Turtles) _Got A Feelin’_ (Mamas & Papas) _If I Could Be With You_ (performed by anybody) _I Won’t Stand In Your Way_ (Brian Setzer) _Sweet Mama Hurry Home_ (performed by Leon Redbone) **Classical, shorter pieces:** JS Bach- _Sheep May Safely Graze_ ( I especialy like Chris Parkening’s transcription for solo guitar) Gonoud- (from Faust, Act V- two very short songs) _Ouí, c’est toi, Je t’aime_ and _Anges purs_) Ginastera- (from Variaciones Concertantes) _Theme for Cello and Harp/Interlude for strings_ **Classical, longer:** not songs, but (whining) a couple of other people did it first Shostakovitch- _Symphony #5, 3rd movement_ Khachaturian- _Concerto for Flute & Orchestra, 1st movement_ Tchaichovsky- _Romeo and Juliet_ Thank you for your cooperation. ---
**Author:** ![meanoldman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@meanoldman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meanoldman)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/234 "2010-08-23T04:02:08Z")
I second _ **Spoons** _ mention of [Old Souls](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2y6AAEwcNM) Did I miss anyone mentioning [Where’ve you been?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHzMGM9qyZw) by Kathy Mattea ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/235 "2010-08-23T13:27:11Z")
[He’ll Have to Go](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smlaq1ezQRM) Jim Reeves. ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/236 "2010-08-23T13:31:57Z")
I can’t believe that anyone, me included, hasn’t yet mentioned [“When the River Meets the Sea”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ILfxkKjwm8). ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/237 "2010-08-23T14:00:43Z")
> [@bink](#): > > I want to understand why things like this happen. I wonder if there are some themes that go through a lot of these songs–some kind of chord progression, some key they may be in…I wish I understood music theory better. Borrowing from Nigel Tufnel: these songs are likely in D minor which is the saddest of all keys… people weep instantly when they hear it, and don’t know why… ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/238 "2010-08-23T14:08:58Z")
Wow. Surprised to see so many of my picks already mentioned. There are some universals I guess. Couple more: [There Is a Time](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQtXEb7C30o&feature=related) - The Dillards (performing as The Darling Family on The Andy Griffith Show) [Thunder Road](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNNcIhZbH-0&feature=related) - Bruce Springsteen (Unfortunately the studio version is not on YouTube. Live performances are too rough to recreate the perfect beauty of the recording.) [Dreaming My Dreams](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqtJhSH5zWA&feature=related) - Waylon Jennings (Or the [really nice cover by Cowboy Junkies](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFiIS1uZ8jo)) ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/239 "2010-08-23T14:22:27Z")
Four more: [You Are My Flower](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpUDR9akPA8) - Flatt and Scruggs [First Episode at Hienton](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTuKDK9U0qg) - Elton John [My Old Friend the Blues](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucgUKCeQlwM) - The Proclaimers (covering Steve Earle) And a forgotten bit of genius: [Blues Run the Game](http://www.youtube.com/user/Politenessman#p/f/10/X0GGts9jQ-k) - Jackson C. Frank ---
**Author:** ![Headrush042](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Headrush042](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Headrush042)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/240 "2010-08-23T15:28:41Z")
One of the lesser-known Evanescence songs from their locally-distributed EP before they made it big with _Fallen_: [Evanescence - Anywhere](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEVIeErWcnU) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584.md?page=13)