Eric Merrill’s version of “Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still,” from The Western Star; my favorite version of a 140-year-old song.
It’s not online. Here’s a fine, but lesser, version by Peter Cooper and Eric Brace, if you don’t know the song. Merrill fills it out with his Irish-Appalachian backing band (fiddle, viola, banjo, bass, uillean pipes, and harmony vocal in addition to the guitars and lead vocal), but with a lightness that doesn’t overwhelm a delicate song.
I forgot to add
Cucurrucucu Paloma - Caetano Veloso
Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie - Joanna Newsom
troy - Sinead O’Connor
Twist in my sobriety - Tanita Tikaram
Wonderful Life - Black
Fumbling Towards Ecstacy - Sarah McLachlan
The Promise -Tracy Chapman
hey Jupiter - tori amos
As long as people are posting instrumentals:
I’m Coming Virginia by Frank Trumbauer and His Orchestra, featuring Bix Beiderbecke and Eddie Lang.
Waters of Babylon- a Don McLean song, though I loved the version from Mad Men (begins around 3:06) as well
Here’s where my hillbilly heritage comes out:
Idumeadone by the Sacred Harp Singers
Conversation With Death (will NOT appeal to everybody, but it moves me)
Wayfarin’ Stranger- lots of versions, but here’s Maria McKee’s
And for the gay showtune loving side:
They Live in You/He Lives in You from The Lion King
Skye Boat Song- two versions,both of them far from my favorites (which aren’t on youtube)
Brahms, Op. 118 no 6 (the Dies Irae intermezzo)
Ray Charles piano solo on “Worried Mind”
I know its lyrics, I know it comes from a movie, but the Production, Piano, Melody, Mixing, Layering, and Lyrics breaks my heart. It’s a whole of heart and Kidneys . Auf Herz und Nieren
The most beautifully sad love song:
Expecting To Fly by Buffalo Springfield (well, Neil Young really).
Vincent by Don McLean
Did you hear this Mongol version.… Voce. Quite an interesting mix, I like it…
Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
I Only Have Eyes for You- Art Garfunkel
Sway - Bic Runga
One Day - Op Shop
Boy with the Sad Hands - Jay Clarkson
Guilty - Annie Crummer
Seconded. Most beautiful pop song ever.
What about Pale Blue Eyes?
Liszt Piano Concerto No. 2 (Nino Gvetadze - Beautiful pianist plays beautiful music, part 1 
)
1st
2nd
3rd
Beethoven “Moonlight” Sonata op 27 # 2 (Valentina Lisitsa - Beautiful pianist plays beautiful music, part 2)
mvt 1,2
mvt 3
C.P.E. Bach - Cello Concerto in A major Wq. 172 - II Largo con sordini
Rachmaninoff Piano Conc. No2 in C minor, Op.18 - II Adagio sostenuto
Oooh - good call on ‘Heart of the Matter’ by Don Henley.
I’d add:
Alison - Everything but the Girls version
Macy’s Day Parade - Green Day
‘Moonlight’ sonata - Beethoven
More Than Words - Extreme
Love of My Life - Queen
Nocturnes, Op 9 - Chopin
Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) - Green Day
I am always shocked to see Extreme and Green Day on lists like this. Who’d think that punk/funk metal bands would have such beautiful songs?
Good show, you manky Scots git!
+1 for Messrs Orzabal and Smith and their oeuvre.
“Beloved Wife” - Natalie Merchant
Oh, boy, I get to be the first to post Ashokan Farewell?
Add another for Stardust, plus Clair de Lune and Minstrel Boy.
Dammit! Beaten to the punch. I don’t have a religious atom in my body, but Miserere makes me well up every time. Interesting story behind it too. (Might even be true :D)
And here’s my own favourite: bluesman Robert Nighthawk’s Black Angel Blues.
So, I’ve tried to avoid another Youtube marathon.
But give a listen to Richard & Linda Thompson’sA Heart Needs A Home. He remains an excellent songwriter, guitarist & singer–but he did his most beautiful work with Linda.
Maddy Prior & June Tabor with The Agincourt Carol. The old ones are the best.
Or Heart Like a Wheel–performed by Linda Ronstadt & the McGarrigle sisters. (I’ve read this was the first song the late Kate ever wrote.) Also from that first great album with her sister Anna, Talk to me of Mendocino. Hard Times Come Again No More by the McGarrigles, friends & family.
Darn, I’d better move to a thread where I can be all snarky & sarcastic…
(OK. One more. Song For Ireland. Maybe the The Dubliners’ version won’t do that aching thing. Or maybe it will.)