Also pretty much every other Sundays song, but especially “Here’s Where the Story Ends”, “I Kicked a Boy” and “You’re Not the Only One I Know”.
“Golden Brown” The Stranglers
“There She Goes” The La’s
“Fade Into You” Mazzy Star
Also,
“Shake It” Ian Matthews
“Woodstock” Matthews Southern Comfort
“Southern Cross” CSN
“Out in the Country” Three Dog Night
“Elusive Butterfly” Bob Lind
“Can’t find the Time to Tell You” Orpheus
“Morning Girl” Neon Philharmonic
“Eres Tu” Mocadades
“Sara” Fleetwood Mac
Some country suggestions:
I think several of Rodney Crowell’s songs qualify as pretty. A few of them are on this album – Stars on the Water, Shame on the Moon, What Kind of Love, Please Remember Me.
Ricky Van Shelton has a beautiful voice. From this album, check out I’ll Leave This World Loving You. His version of From A Jack to a King is awesome.
I always thought La Paloma Blanca was a pretty song.
There are lots of “so *that’s * who did that” moments in this thread – very cool.
I’m kinda batting to all fields, but let’s try:
“Stoney End” – Laura Nyro
“You’re Only Lonely” – J.D. Souther
“Amie” – Pure Prairie League
“Annie’s Song” – John Denver
“At 17” – Janis Ian
“Miracles” – Jefferson Starship
“Wuthering Heights” – Kate Bush
“Wordless Chorus” – My Morning Jacket (just to show I’m hip to post-1978 music)
Even though I have a feeling it doesn’t quite match the criteria of the OP, I can’t resist mentioning the Postal Service’s version of this. Even though it’s not quite rock, it has the prettiest new-style rock hook in the…well, actually, ever. (But the hook in Modest Mouses’ Float On comes in a close second, but the rest of the song while good isn’t what you’d call “pretty”.)
Who Would Have Thought by Darren Hayes. The link is to you tube - couldnt find it anywhere else and his sites not loading.
It seems everytime I post to a music thread I mention Darren Hayes - sorry about that - this song is lovely though
Bright as Yellow
The Lakes of Canada
I came in to mention Birds and Ships off that album.
Thirteen by Big Star
You and Your Sister by Chris Bell
True by Glen Phillips
Just Like Honey by The Jesus and Mary Chain
Rainy Night in Soho by The Pogues
Nightswimming by R.E.M.
A Perfect Circle by R.E.M.
There are a lot by The Beach Boys.
Check out anything by the Magnetic Fields.
100,000 Fireflies
With Whom to Dance
Born On A Train
Love Goes Home To Paris
Papa Was A Rodeo (this is another band doing a cover)
Bah! Someone already mentioned the Pogues.
But I’ll add their I’m a man you don’t meet every day and Dirty Old Town.
“It Doesn’t Matter” by Alison Krauss
“When You Say Nothing At All” by Allison Krauss
“I Still Believe in You” by Vince Gill
“Aces” by Suzi Boguss
“Imagine” by John Lennon
“Let it Be” by Paul McCartney
“Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton
“River” by Sarah McLaughlan
“Angel” by Sarah McLaughlan
“Words” by the Bee Gees
“Open Arms” by Journey
“Beth” by Kiss (heaven help me)
“Picture” by Kid Rock & Sheryl Crowe
All by Sufjan Stevens:
Romulus
Flint
Decatur
Jacksonville
Chicago
Casimir Pulaski Day
The Dress Looks Nice On You
To Be Alone With You
Abraham
Well basically all of his stuff but those are some of my personal favorites. Note: his song titles may differ slightly than what I wrote - but what I have here is the main part, he often adds stuff after, but I think mine are written wrong so I just put the part of the title that matters.
Tupelo Honey