# Simple and beautifull songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 2, 2006, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815 "2006-03-02T21:28:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/21 "2006-03-03T00:33:37Z")
“ **Can’t Help Falling in Love with You** ” by Elvis. “ **Silent Night** ” “ **Greensleeves** ” “ **Morning Has Broken** ” by Cat Stevens ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/22 "2006-03-03T00:36:08Z")
> [@](#): > > 2.- Blackbird…by the Beatles. Same album (CD), just a few tracks later: “_ **I Will** _” and “_ **Julia** _” Two of the simplest, most beautiful songs in the Beatle’s oeuvre, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![stargazer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@stargazer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stargazer)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/23 "2006-03-03T00:36:26Z")
_[Living Prayer](http://www.amazon.com/gp/music/clipserve/B000645UPA001015/0/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_015/104-5838385-2749558)_ by Alison Krauss. (opens in Windows Media Player.) ---
**Author:** ![Lama\_Pacos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Lama\_Pacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lama_Pacos)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/24 "2006-03-03T00:47:39Z")
Listen to Patty Griffin’s album “Living With Ghosts”. Do not pass Go. Lori McKenna’s “The Kitchen Tapes” is also good, albeit even rawer. ---
**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:** [March 3, 2006, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/25 "2006-03-03T01:41:51Z")
> [@Calliope](#): > > The Lighthouse’s Tale by Nickel Creek is hauntingly beautiful. I’d add _When You Come Back Down_ and many, many others. 😃 _You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away_ - The Beatles Yesterday - The Beatles _Leaving on a Jet Plane_ - written by John Denver, performed best by Peter, Paul, and Mary. _Hearts and Bones_ - Paul Simon \*In This Life \* - Collin Raye \*Pili Me Ka-u Manu \* - Iz (aka Israel Kamakawiwo’ole) and a gratuitous plug for someone I know (kinda): _Harbor_ - Vienna Teng (Live version at [NPR](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1748364)) or (CD version from [her site](http://viennateng.com/listen/)) ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/26 "2006-03-03T01:49:31Z")
Sounds like you might enjoy some folk and/or bluegrass. When I read the title looking for “simple and beautiful” songs, the first thing that popped into my mind were some old Shaker melodies – “How Can I Keep From Singing,” for example. “I’ll Fly Away” is a beautiful, simple song; there’s a very nice duet version of it on the CD “Down From the Mountain” (kind of an “O Brother Where Art Thou” tie in). ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/27 "2006-03-03T01:59:44Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > Same album (CD), just a few tracks later: > “_ **I Will** _” and “_ **Julia** _” > > Two of the simplest, most beautiful songs in the Beatle’s oeuvre, IMHO. And given the OP’s name, you don’t think “Mother Nature’s Son” is a good choice?😃 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/28 "2006-03-03T02:21:21Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > There’s a song by (The?) White Stripe(s?) with the refrain “I can tell that we are going to be friends.” Simple and beautiful song. It’s called… ready?.. “We’re Going to Be Friends.” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/29 "2006-03-03T02:26:48Z")
> [@pseudotriton ruber ruber](#): > > And given the OP’s name, you don’t think “Mother Nature’s Son” is a good choice?😃 Yep, absolutely. Hadn’t thought about that…I was just focusing in on CD 1 (LP 1/Side 2), I guess. ---
**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:** [March 3, 2006, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/30 "2006-03-03T02:43:53Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > It’s called… ready?.. “We’re Going to Be Friends.” 😉 [newbie] Are we allowed to say “lol” in here? [/newbie] I love that song. I just heard Jack Johnson cover of it, not too bad. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/31 "2006-03-03T02:48:35Z")
Pretty much the entire catalog of **Gordon Lightfoot**. Start with “If You Could Read My Mind.” ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/32 "2006-03-03T03:33:36Z")
I’ve got a noggin overstuffed with songs, but the most simple lala beauty one for me is George Harrison’s **Here Comes The Sun** It’s Alright… ---
**Author:** ![supervenusfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@supervenusfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supervenusfreak)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/33 "2006-03-03T03:42:25Z")
> [@Plynck](#): > > Eva Cassidy has a beautiful voice. I’d recommend _“Songbird”_, a compilation from previous CDs. I’ve never met anyone who didn’t like her interpretation of _“Fields of Gold”._ I was just about to mention her in this post. I love her voice. She is one of the few artists who could make a cover song better than the original. As for yet another cover recommendation I also love the simplicity of Iz’s “What a Wonderful World/Over The Rainbow”. I know it has been played over and over again, for that damn commercial, but I still love it. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/34 "2006-03-03T03:51:32Z")
Dirty Vegas, Days go by. Yeah I know its techno but theres a version out there with just a singer and a guitar thats fantasticly simple. Chris Cornel, Seasons. from the Singles sound track, great song that really puts his voice on display. theres a couple off the top of my head. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/35 "2006-03-03T03:58:33Z")
Alot of these listed are favorites of mine. I’m going to have to check out some of the ones I haven’t heard! My contribution is “Rhoda” by Belle & Sebastian. I don’t know that it’s ever been released on an album or not. Don’t think it has. Alot of their stuff is very simple and beautiful. Then again there’s about 8 people in the band most times so some of their things are very intricate and beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/36 "2006-03-03T05:26:20Z")
> [@stargazer](#): > > _[Living Prayer](http://www.amazon.com/gp/music/clipserve/B000645UPA001015/0/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_015/104-5838385-2749558)_ by Alison Krauss. (opens in Windows Media Player.) One of my contributions is Alison Krauss’ “When You Say Nothing At All.” What a voice. Simple and beautiful? Check out Marvin Gaye’s["Star-Spangled Banner"](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=983647) from the 1983 NBA All-Star Game. Seriously. “Life By the Drop” - Stevie Ray Vaughan. “When Doves Cry” - Prince. “Sweet Jane,” “Misguided Angel” - The Cowboy Junkies. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/37 "2006-03-03T05:34:00Z")
Celine Dion - “Calling You” (from 1994, back before she got David Fostered). ---
**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:** [March 3, 2006, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/38 "2006-03-03T05:55:54Z")
“The Blower’s Daughter” - Damien Rice ---
**Author:** ![initech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/439d5e/32.png) [@initech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/initech)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/39 "2006-03-03T06:00:11Z")
I’m surprised no one’s mentioned Nick Drake, but pretty much anything he ever did qualifies. Pink Moon is a favorite. Others: Why Worry - Dire Straits Good Riddance - Green Day Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley Fell in Love - Moxy Fruvous Blizzard of 77 - Nada Surf Valentine - Old 97s Question - Old 97s Take Off Your Cool - Outkast Quiet - Rachael Yamagata Skyway - The Replacements Alright for Now - Tom Petty In Perpetuity - Too Much Joy Your Dictionary - XTC The Only Answer - Mike Doughty ---
**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:** [March 3, 2006, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815/40 "2006-03-03T06:13:33Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > One of my contributions is Alison Krauss’ “When You Say Nothing At All.” What a voice. I agree wholeheartedly. But did you know it’s a cover, too? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-and-beautifull-songs/346815.md?page=3)