# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/121 "2010-08-18T23:56:42Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > > [@Sampiro](#): > > > > That is… uh…it’s what I’d call… it has sort of a… yeah. > > **Sampiro** : That’s called [Tuvan Throat Singing](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuvan_throat_singing). They are able to produce two pitches simultaneously. It is something to behold, or maybe that should be to behear. Yeah, I’ve heard it before but never with a song that has English lyrics. (Bill listens to it in his car on _True Blood_- referenced in one episode anyway.) I always assumed it was just for chants. Loreena McKennitt’s been mentioned but I’ll specifically link to [Marrakesh Night Market](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXtrqHrHcI8) and [Tango to Evora](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iijklrtljnw&feature=related) which are my two favorites, along with whatever Loreena McKennitt song I listened to last. Nat King Cole could sing the theme to _F Troop_ and “make-a it sounda like music”\* but my faves are the overplayed but still great Unforgettable and [Non Dimenticar](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNFh990mGPE). ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/122 "2010-08-19T00:07:48Z")
And two more: [What Makes a Man](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okXt33o40MQ)by Charles Aznavour (his good friend [Liza Minnelli also sings this (about 4:35)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCw2W6rZaGo&feature=related), but he sings it best [also wrote it- he’s straight if you’re wondering]). [In a Very Unusual Way](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0_Ih94QHcA&feature=related) from NINE (sung here by Sara Kahan). Unfortunately the movie of NINE sucked like a Hoover upright with an outboard motor. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/123 "2010-08-19T00:09:31Z")
[Nostalgie](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncMenBlhEwA) has got to be near the top. [Bandera](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us9aZtZ7pdE&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/124 "2010-08-19T00:11:41Z")
“California Stars” - Billy Bragg & Wilco “Spectral Mornings” - Steve Hackett “Bridge Over Troubled Water” - the version Johnny Cash did on “American IV” ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/125 "2010-08-19T00:40:25Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > John Denver: > [Annie’s Song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkGS263lGsQ&feature=related) Absolutely, esp if you’ve heard his story about that song. If you can put love into words, this is it. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/126 "2010-08-19T00:43:35Z")
Sting did a really wonderful cover of “Little Wing” on _Nothing Like The Sun_. When you think of a Hendrix cover, you don’t normally think of Branford Marsalis doing a floaty soprano sax solo, but it really works. ---
**Author:** ![from\_a\_to\_z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5fc32e/32.png) [@from\_a\_to\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/from_a_to_z)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/127 "2010-08-19T01:01:31Z")
The videos are just about irrelevant, if not distracting… [ul] [li]Jim Croce - I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song ([YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RabAcvizwKY)). And did the listener understand? [/li][li]Rocío Dúrcal - Lágrimas y lluvia ([YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZgqk4ce7Ks)). Waiting, waiting…[/li][li]Lulu - Oh Me Oh My ([YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXyyH_8HduI)). Playing the fool…[/li][li]Édith Piaf - L’hymne à l’amour ([YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0BhwCk0y3A)). Oh me oh my.[/li][li]Daniela Romo - Dímelo ([YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hNkUrQNH1A)). Just tell me.[/li][li]Jean Sablon - Vous qui passez sans me voir ([YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHYC6SYI-9Q)). Or at least look at me.[/li][li]Zola Taylor - My Old Flame ([YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaKNe45XvuQ)). Whatever your name is.[/li][li]Charles Trenet - La Mer ([YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd_nopTFuZA)). At least we’ll always have the sea.[/li][li]Yuri - Maldita primavera ([YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0DkjI00Mf0)). However trustworthy the season of the year…[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/128 "2010-08-19T01:18:43Z")
Someone already mentioned Natalie Merchant’s \*Beloved Wife \* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PtB5\_eEpLs](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PtB5_eEpLs) I would add R.E.M’s _Nightswimming_[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahJ6Kh8klM4](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahJ6Kh8klM4) Also Mel Tillis’ song _Don’t take your love to town_, although I refer this version by Cake. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeM7s\_0R4ww](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeM7s_0R4ww) ---
**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 19, 2010, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/129 "2010-08-19T02:10:14Z")
[We All Know the Truth](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUU3c_i413U) by Banco de Gaia [No Turn Unstoned](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U09xs0-bAGo) by Shpongle ---
**Author:** ![NetTrekker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nettrekker/32/2909_2.png) [@NetTrekker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NetTrekker)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/130 "2010-08-19T05:40:48Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > It seems a bit old I suppose. [Here’s Charles Mingus:](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__OSyznVDOY&playnext=1&videos=8d9I7AHcd7E). This is great. I’ll see your Mingus and raise you a [Maynard](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktEiZ9AlDRY) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/131 "2010-08-19T07:32:52Z")
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) ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/132 "2010-08-19T09:00:42Z")
> [@Roland\_Orzabal](#): > > And, while it may not be some people’s cup of tea, I can’t appear in a music thread without plugging: > > [Standing on the Corner of the Third World - Tears For Fears](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP11EuHh7vs) I saw what you did here… For me, several of my favorites have already been mentioned. I’ll add Johnny Cash’s version of “Hurt,” Joni Mitchell’s “River” and “Circle Game,” and Jim Croce’s “Time in a Bottle.” ETA - Also “Waltzing Matilda,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Stealth\_Potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Potato)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/133 "2010-08-19T09:01:21Z")
This may be a little bit cheesy, but I would nominate [Glenn Yarbrough’s rendition of _Roads Go Ever Ever On_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtFwHrMfDpQ), from the 1977 animated adaptation of _The Hobbit_. ([_The Greatest Adventure_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-_r1Npsv5I) was lovely too!) I guess I’ll throw in a few more too: [Johnny Hallyday – Ma religion dans son regard](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF61SLWwFkM) [Helmut Lotti – All My Life](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHif3p3trO0) [Simon and Garfunkel – Sparrow](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI9AohkDW5M) > [@Headrush042](#): > > This achingly beautiful song is especially poignant to me today; about an hour ago I found out a dear friend of mine was killed yesterday in an accident. You will be sorely missed, James. > > [Apocalyptica - Farewell](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaLoBdqcvVY) I’m sorry to hear that. ☹ Beautiful song, though; Apocalyptica is great. ---
**Author:** ![Moonchild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@Moonchild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonchild)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/134 "2010-08-19T09:29:49Z")
Jem’s cover of [Maybe I’m Amazed](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rGZkAkOm1Y) Really, it’s achingly beautiful without the O.C. tainting it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/135 "2010-08-19T11:20:04Z")
I’m a little surprised I’m the only one to go this direction: [Michael Jackson - _Ben_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U36DO_nrJeA&feature=search). ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/136 "2010-08-19T11:28:53Z")
I just reminded myself of another one: [Ben Folds Five - _Brick_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt5EHAqhR1c) ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/137 "2010-08-19T12:06:46Z")
Couple more that came to me: [Suzanne Vega - _Tom’s Diner_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z66rDVkaK4w) [David Bowie - _Space Oddity_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhSYbRiYwTY&feature=related) [Boxcar Racer - _There Is_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZj2OMPWEZc) [Bruce Springsteen - _Secret Garden_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtMhtMc1GW8&feature=search) [Dave Matthews - _Cry Freedom_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaB5xexrwgM&feature=related) [Blur - _Tender_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNy0ZRLrtis&feature=av2e) [Cyndi Lauper - _True Colors_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPn0KFlbqX8&feature=search) ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/138 "2010-08-19T12:55:52Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > I would add R.E.M’s _Nightswimming_[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahJ6Kh8klM4](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahJ6Kh8klM4) Yes. And [“Find the River”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIJGlTu5sEI)'s not too shabby, either. For that matter, [“Perfect Circle”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2QzIynIPZk)'s pretty good, too. ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/139 "2010-08-19T12:59:49Z")
**Omniscient** just reminded me of my favorite Cyndi Lauper song (and one of my favorite songs, period): [“Time After Time”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdQY7BusJNU&feature=av2e). ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584/140 "2010-08-19T13:14:13Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Has anyone mentioned _Hey Jude_ yet? I’ve seen a few Simon and Garfunkel, but did anyone mention _Bridge Over Troubled Water_? I did! And I’ll throw in “Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme” and “Homeward Bound”. And maybe “Beautiful City” from Godspell? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-achingly-beautiful-songs-ever/550584.md?page=8)