# 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:** 17
**Author:** ![Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f07891/32.png) [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Plastic_Ninja)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/321 "2010-08-31T04:56:45Z")
Of all things, songs in _Hebrew_ reach straight into my gentile soul and grip and twist me and, like a full sponge, I’m emptied of tears without being able to control it. You remember all those movies, especially in the nineties, that had the wailing woman in minor key? Ofra Haza, mostly, and she’s right up there with Nana Mouskouri in ridiculously beautiful female voices. So: [Kaddish.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG0ic19pL2o) And from a movie she sang in, but not the song she sang (which is, nevertheless, ridiculously gorgeous): [When You Believe](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gur8ccqrQ9c). It’s on the edge of being glurgey in the first bit – maybe, depending on how you feel about it, over the edge. But the sheer beautiful joy it gets to at about 2:30 on that, right about the time it stops being English and starts being. Um. Aramaic? I think I remember that from the liner notes but I could be wrong, it could be Hebrew. There’s more, but it’s late. ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/322 "2010-09-05T17:18:39Z")
After all this time, I just remembered this one - beautiful song, stupid/clever punny song title: [“Cowboy Take Me Away”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hntXAO_Rq7c), by the dreaded Dixie Chicks (zounds!). ---
**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:** [September 6, 2010, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/323 "2010-09-06T01:44:29Z")
Rabbit in the Moon - [Out Of Body Experience](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyA1tIjQJ-c) System F - [Insolation](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cogH3vSzMaw) ---
**Author:** ![Headrush042](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Headrush042](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Headrush042)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2010, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/324 "2010-09-06T03:07:34Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > Rabbit in the Moon - [Out Of Body Experience](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyA1tIjQJ-c) Oohh, good pick! But I prefer Sasha & Digweed’s slower remix with the Tori Amos sample: [RITM - Out of Body Experience (w/ Tori Amos sample from _Precious Things_)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI2wTP0-K64) ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2010, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/325 "2010-09-06T04:34:48Z")
Most Van Morrison, and all his “Astral Weeks” album, but I’d have to go with [_ **“A sense of wonder”** _](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJTvjoSfazM). As an interesting aside, I’m intrigued by remembering where I was when I first heard the songs that people are recommending. > [@](#): > > Variations on a theme by Erik Satie Sitting in a dark church basement with a friend. The first thing we ever heard from _ **Blood, Sweat and Tears** _, as it started off their BS+T album. ![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/GNnua9IlsTg/maxresdefault.jpg)https://www.youtube.com/embed/GNnua9IlsTg?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque And a snippet of it live: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKzTW8zwYgE](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKzTW8zwYgE) ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2010, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/326 "2010-09-06T20:19:37Z")
We all know the Irish own the category of Songs That Make You Want to Kill Yourself, but one of the most heartbreaking songs I’ve heard is [“My Youngest Son Came Home Today”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k0xQDY0F5Q) performed by Billy Bragg. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2010, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/327 "2010-09-06T21:02:05Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Back in 1996, for a special “Various Artists” collection of [Songs of West Side Story](http://www.amazon.com/Songs-West-Story-Various-Artists/dp/B000003FRP), David Pack, Michael McDonald and James Ingram collaborated on an arrangement of [Maria.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=048foimU4EY) > > Brings me to tears, every time. That’s gorgeous. Reminds me of the first time I heard _Dulcinea_ from Man of La Mancha. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2010, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/328 "2010-09-06T22:46:41Z")
> [@SaharaTea](#): > > We all know the Irish own the category of Songs That Make You Want to Kill Yourself, but one of the most heartbreaking songs I’ve heard is [“My Youngest Son Came Home Today”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k0xQDY0F5Q) performed by Billy Bragg. I don’t know that at all, and I’m not Irish on St Patty’s day. I’m mongrel through and through. But one of my old favorites is “Danny Boy”, and I do like a good Irish whiskey (with water). I also like very much Van Morrison. And whats-his-name, the famous poet. 😉 But please, don’t let this old grump spoil your day. Got it, Dylan Thomas! ---
**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:** [September 7, 2010, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/329 "2010-09-07T02:41:10Z")
> [@Headrush042](#): > > > [@Yookeroo](#): > > > > Rabbit in the Moon - [Out Of Body Experience](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyA1tIjQJ-c) > > Oohh, good pick! But I prefer Sasha & Digweed’s slower remix with the Tori Amos sample: > > [RITM - Out of Body Experience (w/ Tori Amos sample from _Precious Things_)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI2wTP0-K64) I think you may be right (I love Northern Exposure). ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/330 "2010-09-07T02:54:43Z")
Yay! Days go by [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAt7sawS8_4) Dirty Vegas So sad ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/331 "2010-09-07T03:30:30Z")
Attics Of My Life Ripple by the Grateful Dead are both poetic and achingly beautiful tunes ---
**Author:** ![Sevastopol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Sevastopol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevastopol)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/332 "2010-09-07T12:35:27Z")
[Aria from Lakme](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWp4gWSlh9I) [Sweet Jane](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkumhBVPGdg) _The Velvet Underground_ [Messiah](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-XAjkKQup8) \* by Handel\* [Kyrie Elison](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-XAjkKQup8) _Mozart : Requiem_ More to come. ---
**Author:** ![Sevastopol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Sevastopol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevastopol)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/333 "2010-09-07T13:39:07Z")
[Ship Song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0spQCw35D4)\* Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds\* ---
**Author:** ![Long\_Time\_First\_Time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@Long\_Time\_First\_Time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Long_Time_First_Time)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/334 "2010-09-07T15:22:43Z")
My contribution - the tight vocals of Girlyman. St. Peter’s bones is my favorite. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRX\_OviJVfI](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRX_OviJVfI) ---
**Author:** ![Loisseau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/2bfe46/32.png) [@Loisseau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loisseau)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/335 "2010-09-07T18:09:13Z")
[I Can’t Make You Love me-Bonnie Raitt](http://s0.ilike.com/play#Bonnie+Raitt:I+Can%27t+Make+You+Love+Me:41508:s3847253.9632336.11849410.0.2.102%2Cstd_34bd86efe7904ccb9a9398130f6cf8a9) [Where is Love?- Irene Kral](http://ilike.myspacecdn.com/play#Irene+Kral:Where+Is+Love%3F:2300945:s45364385.11678987.21613889.0.2.50%2Cstd_bca2ef7edbb045fdbd9221c0e630f3c1) ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/336 "2010-09-08T07:11:52Z")
[Spiegel im Spiegel - Arvo Part](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-t5Nk49yZs) Simply mesmerizing. ---
**Author:** ![ShallowEnd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@ShallowEnd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShallowEnd)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/337 "2010-09-09T07:04:03Z")
Having a great time with all of these, I stop and close my eyes for Edith Piaf [Non je ne regrette rien](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5gpBncR8zI) Caroline Lavelle Case of You, Joanie Mitchell cover, but didn’t find it on youtube, here’s [Moorlough Shore](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiCxI_oZplQ), so you can hear her voice. Eric Clapton [Tears in Heaven](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g2IlaDLVLo), I believe I hear real emotion in this one. Joan Armatrading [Weakness in Me](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VDlt4QSDRY) ---
**Author:** ![NineToTheSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/338 "2010-09-09T07:27:17Z")
I’m amazed no-one has mentioned one of the most beautiful songs: Don Henley’s [A Month Of Sundays](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpGf2A8esvI). An old farmer regretting the loss of his former way of life. \*And I sit here on the back porch in the twilight And I hear the crickets hum I sit and watch the lightning in the distance But the showers never come I sit here and listen to the wind blow I sit here and rub my hands I it here and listen to the clock strike And I wonder when I’ll see my companion again \* ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/339 "2010-09-09T07:51:09Z")
I’d have to add [Jackie Evancho](http://www.examiner.com/celebrity-headlines-in-national/jackie-evancho-sings-like-an-angel-on-america-s-got-talent-and-looks-like-one-too-video) on America’s Got Talent last night. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/340 "2010-09-09T13:04:08Z")
> [@digs](#): > > > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > > > I have a playlist of Songs That Rip My Heart Out > > Are you a masochist? Irish? Emo?.. Irish. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584.md?page=18)