I would nominate “Suddenly Everything Has Changed”, actually–something about how the song moves from the trivial to the serious without breaking stride is very affecting.
A few contributions from Low:
That was lovely. I also enjoyed the earlier LindaRondstadt/McGarrigle Sisters suggestion.
Howdy! This is my first post here. I’ve been contemplating posting for awhile but this thread finally pushed me over the edge. 
I’m a music lover and I’ve got a list of songs that to me, fit this category.
Here are a few, in no particular order:
Time: Alan Parson’s Project
Nightswimming: REM
On Your Shore: Enya
Dante’s Prayer: Loreen Mckennitt (actually anything by her)
The Long Ships: Enya
Deliver Me : Sarah Brightman
Walking in the Air: Nightwish
Haunted: King Black Acid
Vacant: Dream Theater
The Answer Lies Within: Dream Theater
That’s just a few I can think of of the top of my head.
Love 'em all
Have a listen to this version, I love it!
Paul McDermott an Aussie comedian and wow what a voice. The gadflys are an awesome and odd band.
Sorry but I have to put these guys up again!
A great version of Auld Triangle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNre0nnlo_U&feature=related
Throw your arms around me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j0g2oG_w2g&feature=related
These guys we comedy anarchists and really shook up the establishment, after singing a song about dead elvis they would break into these and people were gobsmacked!
I appreciate this thread so much.
I love the posters that posted good classical music, since I like to listen to it, but am clueless about how to find the good stuff. This whole thread is just win.
But the quoted song is the real heartclencher for me. That voice…that song. Great.
Now to contribute.
Bjork’s ‘Unravel’ I’m a huge Bjork fan. I thought for sure she would be listed several times. I see equinoxi didn’t forget her, though.
I think I’d pick “Autumn Tactics” for wistfulness, though.
Also, hearing this music through dinky computer speakers reminds me how I need to integrate my computer with my real sound system.
Thanks for contributing, ladeda, and welcome to the best message board going (IMHO).
Joe Cocker, unchaining hearts.
Wish I had been there
Nice sax piece too.
Back in 1996, for a special “Various Artists” collection of Songs of West Side Story, David Pack, Michael McDonald and James Ingram collaborated on an arrangement of Maria.
Brings me to tears, every time.
The Grateful Dead’s “Attics Of My Life”, “Stella Blue” and “China Doll” are all, haunting, ethereally beautiful songs, from a band that many wouldn’t figure for such fare…
Definitely. Better than the original.
Maybe. I still lean towards Saltwater. Gets me every time.
Good Morning Kaia by BT
Falling by Julee Cruise (Twin Peaks)
With This Love (Choir version) by Peter Gabriel
Distractions by Zero 7
Alone in Kyoto by Air
Wish U Were Here by Bliss
One God Dub by Kaya Project
I love this thread.
I’d like to add Al Stewart’s Year of the Cat and Roads to Moscow to the list.
And of course The Black Flame by Rennaisance fits in here very nicely.
Strawberry Wine MBV. Jangly guitars and sweet harmonies - always a classic.
Nothing Natural by Lush - more of the same shoegazing goodness.
Shatter by Shelleyan Orphan. Beautiful voice and lush music.
But for the best aching, you really need either Ian Curtis (ignore the Goth Jawas!) or Michael Gira
Then there’s always the 4AD crowd:
Dead Can Dance - Severance,
Cocteau Twins - Blue Bell Knoll.
Or have some South African brilliance - Dear Reader - Great White Bear (also a brilliant video). They were formerly known as Harris Tweed. A brilliant earlier track - Ode to Confusion
“Why Me?” by Johnny Cash
This is all part of some big practical joke, right? I mean, no one could really think that anybody could out-do Roy Orbison on a Roy Orbison song, right? 
That’s a different song (Lou Reed’s Perfect Day). Miriam Stockley’s song is the theme to The World Of Peter Rabbit and Friends, and written by Colin Towns.
Roberta Flack sings The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.
Am I really the first person to nominate this?