# 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:** 14
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/261 "2010-08-25T03:41:01Z")
Here are some more: [Pavane, Op. 50](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpgyTl8yqbw) by Gabriel Fauré [The Aquarium](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsD0FDLOKGA) from Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns. A few by Sidney Bechet: [Gershin’s Summertime](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG4nPM9uxwg) [Petite Fleur](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7u9x50GGGs) [Si Tu Vois Ma Mare](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs_DD_7C8_A) ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/262 "2010-08-25T04:46:54Z")
“Do You Realize” is the obvious Flaming Lips song, but I’ll nominate “[All We Have is Now](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aacl6KCaCmE).” Cracker (and their predecessor Camper Van Bethoven) have some surprisingly good ones, including [Big Dippe](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2igJO9StYE&feature=related)r and [All Her Favorite Fruit.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpjcZl_ymxI) The [orchestra version of All Her Favorite Fruit](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5LyNGMlEnA&p=5BEEC3DCE97951BC&playnext=1&index=66) is almost hard for me to listen to, it’s so damn beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/263 "2010-08-25T05:12:20Z")
Mine in no order: Anything by Paul Robeson but this is my fave - Summertime [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j5CieXP7L8&feature=related](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j5CieXP7L8&feature=related) From Oliver - Who will buy? [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqiuKXHk6tM](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqiuKXHk6tM) Russian Red Army Choir - Song of the Volga Boatmen [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WD0WVL-HjE&feature=related](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WD0WVL-HjE&feature=related) Ivan Rebroff [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep3h-2r\_q98&feature=related](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep3h-2r_q98&feature=related) An Aussie song to balance! Hunters and Collectors - Throw your arms around me. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ4Lbn\_t5dk](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ4Lbn_t5dk) Something for the teenagers - Lady GaGa - Paparazzi Acoustic Version"]Lady GaGa - Paparazzi Acoustic Version [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3R3KqrJAI4](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3R3KqrJAI4) ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/264 "2010-08-25T10:12:48Z")
Three more: [“The Three Bells”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiwFeKartX4) - The Browns [“Broken Arrow”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXFUr0sEgMI) - Robbie Robertson [“Running to Stand Still”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kioyUGaABjA) - U2 ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/265 "2010-08-25T12:41:11Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > Another really good one is _Cavalleria rusticana Intermezzo sinfonico_ by Pietro Mascagni my sound is off right now, but this might be a good youtube: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNakLziBjBc&feature=related](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNakLziBjBc&feature=related) Came in to mention this melody. A few more: [Fantasia on Greensleaves](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ius8hx63Hso) by Ralph Vaughn Williams [Nimrod](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUgoBb8m1eE) by Edward Elgar. A lot of old folk songs are nice, too. Scarborough Fair, The Wild Mountain Thyme, etc. ---
**Author:** ![MickNickMaggies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@MickNickMaggies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MickNickMaggies)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/266 "2010-08-25T14:56:35Z")
Germany Before the War- Randy Newman. There’s a cover by Peter Mulvey on ‘Ten Thousand Mornings’ that is disturbingly beautiful. Fish and Bird- Tom Waits. In fact, almost all of ‘Alice’ has that feel. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/267 "2010-08-26T02:20:54Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > Ok, if you mention Linda Ronstadt in this thread, you have to mention [Blue Bayou.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNgIvdRwWpY&feature=search) Well if you mention Blue Bayou, you have to mention [Roy Orbison’s version](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-rlECiW4BA). He got there first. Hey, speaking of Roy Orbison, how about [Crying](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07NMA51D46c)? ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/268 "2010-08-26T03:56:27Z")
Vaughn Williams - [Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxdOYgTXtH8&feature=PlayList&p=48ED9A41905D4537&index=0&playnext=1) [Carol of the Birds](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JxAinCY6Eg) - Robert Shaw Chorale (especially at 1:20 where only the men sing) [Carol of the Birds](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt9iz3xApVg#t=2m40s) - Pablo Casals Tomas Luis de Victoria - [O Magnum Mysterium](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFMxz0QkeCk) Poulenc - [O Magnum Mysterium](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VShyqHcWjPY) Bruckner - [Virga Jesse Floruit](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCdwfObFDAU) ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/269 "2010-08-26T04:00:54Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > > [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > > > Ok, if you mention Linda Ronstadt in this thread, you have to mention [Blue Bayou.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNgIvdRwWpY&feature=search) > > Well if you mention Blue Bayou, you have to mention [Roy Orbison’s version](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-rlECiW4BA). He got there first. > > Hey, speaking of Roy Orbison, how about [Crying](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07NMA51D46c)? I’ve heard Orbisons’ version, his voice just isn’t All That AFAIC. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/270 "2010-08-26T04:05:28Z")
Chicane - [Saltwater](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET1-6Bef9xU) Vocals by Máire Brennan of Clannad ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/271 "2010-08-26T04:55:25Z")
Part of it is context, but I love Non nobis domine from Henry V: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1GDRx-F1C0](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1GDRx-F1C0) I want it sung at my funeral. Can’t get more achingly beautiful than that. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/272 "2010-08-26T05:03:15Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > Chicane - [Saltwater](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET1-6Bef9xU) Vocals by Máire Brennan of Clannad Ahhhh yes, Chicane. 🆒 One of the best electronic acts ever. That whole album is so great. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/273 "2010-08-26T07:40:49Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > Hey, speaking of Roy Orbison, how about [Crying](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07NMA51D46c)? I love [Rebekah del Rio’s Spanish version](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vfw5lblFlo) (Llorando - featured on the Mullholand Drive soundtrack) ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/274 "2010-08-26T11:01:38Z")
Although I had enjoyed Buddy Holly’s upbeat rockers for quite some time, it wasn’t until after his untimely death that I felt the ache that these three songs bring: [Raining In My Heart - Buddy Holly](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94sJYhfoPC0) [Buddy Holly - It Doesn’t Matter Anymore 45 rpm!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nUTdpuTIIE) I never even heard this next one until after his death: [“True Love Ways” Buddy Holly](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjFRHIhSvwc) ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/275 "2010-08-26T11:43:30Z")
Bob Dylan, Visions of Johanna, from the Albert Hall concert ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/276 "2010-08-26T12:42:43Z")
This is one of my favourite songs. [Perfect Day by Miriam Stockley](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeVV2KD1GqU). ---
**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 26, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/277 "2010-08-26T16:25:40Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Although I had enjoyed Buddy Holly’s upbeat rockers for quite some time, it wasn’t until after his untimely death that I felt the ache that these three songs bring: > > [Raining In My Heart - Buddy Holly](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94sJYhfoPC0) > > [Buddy Holly - It Doesn’t Matter Anymore 45 rpm!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nUTdpuTIIE) > > I never even heard this next one until after his death: > > [“True Love Ways” Buddy Holly](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjFRHIhSvwc) “True Love Ways” almost made my list. I can’t stand Holly’s version of “It Doesn’t Matter Any More”- complete disconnect between lyrics and music. Linda’s version is far better, gorgeously sad and beautiful. . ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/278 "2010-08-26T17:03:12Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > I’ve heard Orbisons’ version, his voice just isn’t All That AFAIC. Wha? His voice is only one of the most beautiful voices in the history of _recorded music_, let alone the history of rock and roll. But I guess different strokes for different folks. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/279 "2010-08-26T17:59:31Z")
> [@MTCicero](#): > > Three more: > > [“The Three Bells”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiwFeKartX4) - The Browns I’m partial to the French version. Edith Piaf or Tina Arena, take your pick. ![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/5DZakIjjFA4/maxresdefault.jpg)https://www.youtube.com/embed/5DZakIjjFA4?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/YAXuzijJx6o/maxresdefault.jpg "Tina Arena - Les trois cloches (Live in Paris)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAXuzijJx6o) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/280 "2010-08-26T18:02:22Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > [Casimir Pulaski Day](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGEMx3TKxNc) - Sufjan Stevens I was searching through this thread to mention that very song. A lot of his work could be in this list. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584.md?page=15)