# Moving songs with just voice and piano **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 6, 2019, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082 "2019-11-06T16:31:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RobotDevilDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19adc/32.png) [@RobotDevilDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobotDevilDog)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/21 "2019-11-07T01:46:17Z")
I think there’s a bit of background music here, but close enough. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa\_7cuGMIGg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa_7cuGMIGg) Elton John, “Empty Garden” ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/22 "2019-11-07T02:23:45Z")
Gareth Emery, the highly regarded trance producer, did a series of videos featuring just him playing the piano together with the vocalists who appeared on his top tracks. (They are all available on YouTube.) Here is a really beautiful one: [SAVING LIGHT Unplugged - Gareth Emery and HALIENE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI-gJ-C3q30) ([Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cTijc95Bis) is the original mix of the song.) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/23 "2019-11-07T03:07:30Z")
Years ago, I saw Randy Newman performing “Just One Smile” on a PBS special. Just him and the piano, and it was heartbreaking. I haven’t been able to find it, but the closest is [a version by Scott Walker](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfkYr-ZgJfw), though that has added strings. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/24 "2019-11-07T03:20:24Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkgkThdzX-8 > > John Lennon Imagine and Jealous Guy Both of these songs have plenty of other instruments: Imagine John Lennon – vocals, piano Klaus Voormann – bass Alan White – drums The Flux Fiddlers – strings Jealous Guy John Lennon – vocals, acoustic guitar, whistling Nicky Hopkins – piano John Barham – harmonium Alan White – vibraphone Klaus Voormann – bass Jim Keltner – drums Mike Pinder – tambourine Joey Molland and Tom Evans – acoustic guitars The Flux Fiddlers – strings ---
**Author:** ![Tinker\_Grey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tinker_grey/32/8136_2.png) [@Tinker\_Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinker_Grey)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/25 "2019-11-07T03:37:58Z")
[The times they are a-changin’ by Keb’ Mo’](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbupB7AFdLM) ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/26 "2019-11-07T08:52:31Z")
**Antony and the Johnsons** [Hope There’s Someone](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woIiVr5_tE4) > [@](#): > > Hope there’s someone > Who’ll take care of me > When I die; will I go? > Hope there’s someone > Who’ll set my heart free. . . . or as\*\* Antony Hegarty\*\* [Cripple and the Starfish](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz1LJP8tmhw) ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/27 "2019-11-07T09:43:08Z")
[Billy Joel - She’s Always a Woman](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbupB7AFdLM) Mostly just piano, but I also hear a flute, or maybe it’s a clarinet. There may be some other instruments. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/28 "2019-11-07T10:34:06Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Like, all of Franz Schubert’s songs? Johannes Brahms, Hugo Wolf, and Gustav Mahler also too. And Fauré ! [_Après un Rêve_](https://youtu.be/lMKyTAe6yeM?t=18) As always with this composer, I love the little accidentals that are like subtly changing light on water. _Ô Nuit, rends-moi tes mensonges_ (Oh Night, give me your lies back) ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/29 "2019-11-07T10:42:03Z")
Tim Minchin - [White Wine in the sun](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNvZqpa-7Q) A christmas non-carol good enough to be a national anthem. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/30 "2019-11-07T13:51:04Z")
One of my favorite Prince songs of all time, [“How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore?”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLupM8X0jMk) ---
**Author:** ![txjim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f07891/32.png) [@txjim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txjim)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/31 "2019-11-07T14:45:06Z")
Tom Waits singing [I Can’t Wait To Get Off Work (And See My Baby On Montgomery Avenue)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm2Zge3NQWQ) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/32 "2019-11-07T14:50:42Z")
Elton John - Goodbye England’s Rose (Candle in the Wind) ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/33 "2019-11-07T15:09:22Z")
Kate Bush - [Under the Ivy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvKNzyO4wk0) and [this version of Man With The Child In His Eyes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F5XHZ0NPGc). Not \*entirely \*piano, but I love Bat For Lashes’ [Laura](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UznHTBZIa8E) ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/34 "2019-11-07T15:44:20Z")
**Peter Hammill** - _Vision_ ([studio album track](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdFZ0cZA-a4) (1971) or live ([1978](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCmIwABc2-c) & [2018](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tFYyt5tYaU)) And [lyrics](http://sofasound.com/phcds/fmlyrics.htm#5), if you want. I’ve been a fan since the early 70s… Or there’s **Mark Eitzel** with [All My Love](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M9mJwiLSWw). He’s often sounds very emotional, but usually with a guitar, or more instrumentation. ---
**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:** [November 7, 2019, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/35 "2019-11-07T16:17:22Z")
> [@txjim](#): > > Tom Waits singing [I Can’t Wait To Get Off Work (And See My Baby On Montgomery Avenue)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm2Zge3NQWQ) A lot of early Tom Waits is just piano and vocals. I was thinking there were a few songs from “Closing Time” that fit the OP, but it’s been a while since I listened to that album and can’t think of anything specific. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/36 "2019-11-07T16:45:13Z")
[John Hiatt, Have a Little Faith](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RWEseP-ouk) was the first I thought of. Saw him last month - great solo show. And I offer this little [romantic ditty](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU-sCw1xnLU&list=PLYo6L-t90OnQAbrGahOi3es9KH2MUyT1k) from Nighthawks. Sure, the bass and brushes join him, but the piano-backed intro cracks me up every time! “I’m not WEIRD about it or anything - heh-heh-heh.” ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/37 "2019-11-07T16:45:29Z")
[Case Of You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZZYDd4SsEk), Diana Krall ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/38 "2019-11-07T16:46:50Z")
Billy Joel’s Piano Man, except for the intro harmonica. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/39 "2019-11-07T20:31:48Z")
[Lullaby for a Stormy Night](https://youtu.be/mlmhMS_luX8) - Vienna Teng I love this song so much. I frequently sing it to my son even when it’s not stormy. I knew the artist in high school. She was the choir accompanist, so I knew she was a stellar piano player. I had no idea she had that voice. ---
**Author:** ![Philliam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/philliam/32/3011_2.png) [@Philliam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philliam)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082/40 "2019-11-07T20:48:40Z")
Essra Mohawk - _Looking Forward to the Dawn_ [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/oyYjp99uA9M/maxresdefault.jpg "Looking Forward to the Dawn") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyYjp99uA9M) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-songs-with-just-voice-and-piano/843082.md?page=3)