“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
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)
[QUOTE=Glory]
Such Great Heights by Iron & Wine
[/QUOTE]
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”.)
[QUOTE=Fern Forest]
California Stars by Billy Bragg & Wilco, Mermaid Avenue (lyrics by Woody Guthrie)
[/QUOTE]
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.
“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
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.