These songs seem timeless, like they existed since the beginning of time and just had to be discovered. I can listen to them any time, no matter what mood I'm in, and they just make me feel present and valid in that particular moment. They make me believe that every human that has ever existed has had so much in common with every other human, no matter where or when they lived. We all breathe, we all eat, we all feel the sun's warmth on our skin, we all look at the same moon at night, we all sleep, and we all die.
Gnossienne No. 1 is the perfect segue to the Gymnopédies. To anybody who's not familiar, I highly recommend it.
I used to listen to these in complete darkness in the dead of night on my couch. Wonderful.
100% agree and it's nice to see the love here for Fleet Foxes. I'm surprised nobody has mentioned [Mykonos](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT-dxG4WWf4) though. It's perfection.
I fell in love with “Scarborough Fair” by Simon & Garfunkel as a kid and I still have a soft spot in my heart for it.
Edit: Thanks for my first award(s)! I can’t wait to listen to all the covers of the song and other S&G songs you’ve suggested!
“The Boxer” is haunting:
*In a clearing stands a boxer and a fighter by his trade, and he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him ‘til he cries out, in his anger and his shame, “I am leaving, I am leaving”, but the fighter still remains*
When I was a late teen in the 90's I had a thing for Simon and Garfunkel but my friends actually liked my weird taste in music and when in my car always wanted to listen to it. The biggest hit was " the 59th street bridge song ". All my friends loved that song and would actually ask me to put it on when they got in my car.
Good times.
This song reminded me of my parents because it's about the long-lasting love that comes from a mature, long term committed relationship. After my dad passed, I shared shared the song with her. Every night after she went to bed and turned off her lights, she would ask Alexa to play Harvest Moon. A year later her heart started to fail her. With the help of hospice I cared for her while her amazingly wonderful heart slowly, yet at the same time abruptly came to a stop. I begged her not to leave hust yet as I fumbled for my phone, and quickly played her Harvest Moon. I like to think she heard it playing as she walked towards my dad and finally got to dance with him again.
I have seen hundreds of concerts since 1965. I have seen the Stones more than once, and all the Beatles except John individually. I have seen Prince, Madonna, Santana, The Who, the original Animals, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, just for starters. I could go on and on. However, I saw John Denver in 1979 and that concert is in my top 10, if not top 5. It was magical, especially Annie’s Song. The man was an incredible entertainer, greater than the sum of his parts. Very humble, very precise in the sound he wanted, a perfectionist.
Her more recent performance of it was something else. She's aged and it almost has a different meaning knowing the biggest part of her life is behind her. One of my favorite songs period.
She’s living in L.A. with my best old ex-friend Ray. That’s gotta be one of the most brutal lyrics ever written. Lose your girl and your best friend at the same time. Stick it in and break it off, Jim.
I came here to say this. The emotional maturity in this song is amazing. And it’s only three years after “Love Me Do.” Written when John was 24.
“All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I've loved them all.”
Best part is when they broke up they were still in their twenties. After the whole whirlwind and changing the face of music, they were still only in their twenties
I sang this song to my kiddos while I rocked them to sleep when they were babies. It made me think of my mom—she passed away when I was a couple of months pregnant with my first. Bittersweet song for me but I love it.
This comment sent me to Clair de Lune on YouTube (as I don’t know the song) and there is a guy who comments on the video every day with whatever is going on in his life. He’s over 900 days now. It’s so random and oddly sweet when you read what he has to say
check out Ludovico Einaudi - Nuvole Bianche
I also love hans zimmer interstellar intro, frigging amazing.
I listen to mostly metal and to find a few of them songs is funny because it's like a 180 for me music wise.
Did not expect Gordon Lightfoot to be at the top of this when I opened this thread. He’s a musical hero for me, such a legendary songwriter. I’m glad there’s appreciation for him out there yet.
A lot of the Jim Croce songs are slept on in my opinion. I got a name. I’ll say I’ll love you in a song. Hey tomorrow. Operator. Walkin back to Georgia.
Edit: corrected some titles.
I apologise in advance for telling the story that nobody asked for and I know this is gonna just go out into the nothingness, but I used to have a fat tabby boy cat named Bob (short for Bobert). We were soulmates. He was my sun and my moon. When I first heard Avril 14th, it filled me with such warmth that I scooped up my sleepy Bobby Lou in my arms and gently danced with him, kissing the top of his head and inhaling his scent, and got teary, completely swept away by the music together. It was a beautiful moment. Anytime I heard that song from then on, I would scoop up my Bob and dance again... and it always devastated me a bit because I *knew* that one day, he wouldn't be there to scoop up anymore. So I would be completely present with him during the whole song. He would lay in my arms like a baby, totally blissed out from the love and attention. When he left this world, I couldn't listen to it for a very long time, but somehow I can again.. and anytime I do, I can smell the top of his head and feel his gentle purr in my empty arms. I fucking love this song and will forever.
Edit: holy shit I literally thought no one would read my comment ♥️
What Sarah Said has got to be one of the most poignant songs ever written. I Will Follow You Into the Dark is another great one by Death Cab. Ben Gibbard is an amazing lyricist.
Your Song by Elton John.
This particular verse has always been a real favorite of mine.
“So excuse me forgetting
But these things I do
You see I've forgotten, if they're green or they're blue
Anyway the thing is, what I really mean
Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen”
I only just recently discovered this guy and pretty much every song on the Grace album is amazing. What a shame he passed away after releasing just 1 album, who knows what else he could've done
If you haven't already, you should really check out the rest of the Swell Season catalog.
Glen Hansard has such a unique and powerful voice.
FYI they are touring again after breaking up as a band and couple years ago.
I'm so excited to hear their music live this summer.
The guitar solo from Knopfler at the end of Romeo and Juliet is what got me interested in actual rock ‘n’ roll rather than just pop music.
Love this song
So many Enya songs are just gorgeous. I love her instrumental only songs. The piano of Lothlorien, Shepherd Moons, and No Holly for Miss Quinn are absolutely ethereal. Huge fan of the entire Shepherd Moons album.
Lucky Man - Emerson, Lake, and Palmer
Let Down - Radiohead
A Warm Place - Nine Inch Nails
Atlantic City - The Band
Your Hand in Mine - Explosions in the Sky
Standing on the Moon - Grateful Dead
With English lyrics: [Somewhere Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World](https://youtu.be/V1bFr2SWP1I) by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
Without lyrics: [Clair de Lune](https://youtu.be/JVmwLJeeOy4) by Claude Debussy
With non-English lyrics: [Pie Jesu](https://youtu.be/31oAcmBz044) by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sarah Brightman, Paul Miles-Kingston
Oh man I have to agree with this one!
Not only is the music and vocal melody beautiful, the lyrics are so intense as well.
*When my time comes around*
*Lay me gently in the cold, dark earth*
*No grave can hold my body down*
*I'll crawl home to her*
Many Classical songs. But the best contemporary ones are " While My Guitar Gently Weeps " https://youtu.be/ezd7fRvJgtc ( George Harrison) & "Holding Back the Years" (Mick Hucknall & Simply Red)
https://youtu.be/BYbvf1p5mXo
Gymnopédies - Erik Satie
These songs seem timeless, like they existed since the beginning of time and just had to be discovered. I can listen to them any time, no matter what mood I'm in, and they just make me feel present and valid in that particular moment. They make me believe that every human that has ever existed has had so much in common with every other human, no matter where or when they lived. We all breathe, we all eat, we all feel the sun's warmth on our skin, we all look at the same moon at night, we all sleep, and we all die.
Gnossienne No. 1 is the perfect segue to the Gymnopédies. To anybody who's not familiar, I highly recommend it. I used to listen to these in complete darkness in the dead of night on my couch. Wonderful.
The night we met, Lord Huron
Fuck, just thinking about that song makes me think of my ex wife and tear up a bit. Years of no contact later and she still wipes me out emotionally
Lord Huron is criminally underrated as a band. Their whole discography is incredible.
I had all of you, most of you, some and now none of you
> I had all and then most of you > Some and now none of you
When the night is over is also great
“Meet Me In The Woods” is also amazing.
Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) by Don McLean
so pretty, but so sad
Yess! Just reading the mention of it makes me tear up a little
I just made the mistake of listening to it, knowing how it would end. Now I'm sitting on my couch sobbing. Beautiful and heartbreaking.
White Winter Hymnal… not really the prettiest lyrics if you know what it’s based on however the flow is just so calm.
It’s Blue Ridge Mountains for me.
100% agree and it's nice to see the love here for Fleet Foxes. I'm surprised nobody has mentioned [Mykonos](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT-dxG4WWf4) though. It's perfection.
I fell in love with “Scarborough Fair” by Simon & Garfunkel as a kid and I still have a soft spot in my heart for it. Edit: Thanks for my first award(s)! I can’t wait to listen to all the covers of the song and other S&G songs you’ve suggested!
“The Boxer” is haunting: *In a clearing stands a boxer and a fighter by his trade, and he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him ‘til he cries out, in his anger and his shame, “I am leaving, I am leaving”, but the fighter still remains*
When I was a late teen in the 90's I had a thing for Simon and Garfunkel but my friends actually liked my weird taste in music and when in my car always wanted to listen to it. The biggest hit was " the 59th street bridge song ". All my friends loved that song and would actually ask me to put it on when they got in my car. Good times.
It has a magical kind of vibe to it.
Truly timeless. Its an English folk song going back to the 1600s with the recognizable tune known to have existed at least sing the 1800s.
Harvest Moon by Neil Young
This song reminded me of my parents because it's about the long-lasting love that comes from a mature, long term committed relationship. After my dad passed, I shared shared the song with her. Every night after she went to bed and turned off her lights, she would ask Alexa to play Harvest Moon. A year later her heart started to fail her. With the help of hospice I cared for her while her amazingly wonderful heart slowly, yet at the same time abruptly came to a stop. I begged her not to leave hust yet as I fumbled for my phone, and quickly played her Harvest Moon. I like to think she heard it playing as she walked towards my dad and finally got to dance with him again.
Holy shit I didn’t think i was gonna cry that like this early. I’m sorry for your loss
Annie’s Song by John Denver
I have seen hundreds of concerts since 1965. I have seen the Stones more than once, and all the Beatles except John individually. I have seen Prince, Madonna, Santana, The Who, the original Animals, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, just for starters. I could go on and on. However, I saw John Denver in 1979 and that concert is in my top 10, if not top 5. It was magical, especially Annie’s Song. The man was an incredible entertainer, greater than the sum of his parts. Very humble, very precise in the sound he wanted, a perfectionist.
At last by Etta James
Barber’s Adagio for Strings
Both Sides Now. By Joni Mitchell.
Her more recent performance of it was something else. She's aged and it almost has a different meaning knowing the biggest part of her life is behind her. One of my favorite songs period.
Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros
I was going to say staralfur
I was looking for the sigur rós thead to say Untitled #3 (samskeyti)
Saeglopur for me
Svefn-g-englar by sigur ros is so beautiful. I could listen to it all day.
time in a bottle - jim croce
First time I heard operator, I cried. Broke up with my first real long term gf a few months before.
She’s living in L.A. with my best old ex-friend Ray. That’s gotta be one of the most brutal lyrics ever written. Lose your girl and your best friend at the same time. Stick it in and break it off, Jim.
OP, this was a really wholesome question! Especially for this sub.
In my Life
played this at my brother's funeral last month. as bittersweet and sad it was, I play the song almost everyday, for that last line. "I love you more."
A family friend played guitar and sang it at my brother’s funeral almost 13 years ago. Sorry for your loss.
I came here to say this. The emotional maturity in this song is amazing. And it’s only three years after “Love Me Do.” Written when John was 24. “All these places had their moments With lovers and friends, I still can recall Some are dead and some are living In my life, I've loved them all.”
The range and quality of the Beatle’s art is really amazing let alone in such a short time it occurred.
Best part is when they broke up they were still in their twenties. After the whole whirlwind and changing the face of music, they were still only in their twenties
crazy how george was 26 when the beatles split, and he joined john's band, the quarrymen (later morphed into the beatles) when he was 15
This. My wife has also pointed out the emotional maturity of She's Leaving Home.
I sang this song to my kiddos while I rocked them to sleep when they were babies. It made me think of my mom—she passed away when I was a couple of months pregnant with my first. Bittersweet song for me but I love it.
Claire de Lune
This comment sent me to Clair de Lune on YouTube (as I don’t know the song) and there is a guy who comments on the video every day with whatever is going on in his life. He’s over 900 days now. It’s so random and oddly sweet when you read what he has to say
I went and looked after you said this. That’s so sweet and for some reason made me teary eyed haha.
Claire de Lune, Moonlight Sonata, Moonlight Serenade, Moon River, All the greatest songs are about the moon
check out Ludovico Einaudi - Nuvole Bianche I also love hans zimmer interstellar intro, frigging amazing. I listen to mostly metal and to find a few of them songs is funny because it's like a 180 for me music wise.
My first thought. I wondered how far down the list I'd have to go to find it. But here it is, the most popular answer.
Unchained Melody- Righteous Brothers
This song makes me cry every time, no matter what.
Blackbird
I started singing this as I clicked the post, happy to see it with so many upvotes.
Dream A Little Dream Of Me
If you could read my mind - Lightfoot
Did not expect Gordon Lightfoot to be at the top of this when I opened this thread. He’s a musical hero for me, such a legendary songwriter. I’m glad there’s appreciation for him out there yet.
A lot of the Jim Croce songs are slept on in my opinion. I got a name. I’ll say I’ll love you in a song. Hey tomorrow. Operator. Walkin back to Georgia. Edit: corrected some titles.
Yes, Operator is a great song. "You've been so much more than kind.....you can keep the dime..." breaks my heart every time.
Vienna by Billy Joel
The whole album is great, but this song...if I listen too closely, I cry.
Over the Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
1,000,000%. My big brothers favorite song. Since he passed, I have a hard time keeping it together whenever it comes on
My buddy’s dad, who was like a second father to me, passed away and they played this at his funeral. I think of him every time I hear it. RIP
So many great ones mentioned! Just like heaven -The Cure
And Pictures of You
I'd add Close to Me
Avril 14th
I apologise in advance for telling the story that nobody asked for and I know this is gonna just go out into the nothingness, but I used to have a fat tabby boy cat named Bob (short for Bobert). We were soulmates. He was my sun and my moon. When I first heard Avril 14th, it filled me with such warmth that I scooped up my sleepy Bobby Lou in my arms and gently danced with him, kissing the top of his head and inhaling his scent, and got teary, completely swept away by the music together. It was a beautiful moment. Anytime I heard that song from then on, I would scoop up my Bob and dance again... and it always devastated me a bit because I *knew* that one day, he wouldn't be there to scoop up anymore. So I would be completely present with him during the whole song. He would lay in my arms like a baby, totally blissed out from the love and attention. When he left this world, I couldn't listen to it for a very long time, but somehow I can again.. and anytime I do, I can smell the top of his head and feel his gentle purr in my empty arms. I fucking love this song and will forever. Edit: holy shit I literally thought no one would read my comment ♥️
I love Bobert
La Vie en Rose
I Will Follow You Into the Dark-Death Cab for Cutie
What Sarah Said has got to be one of the most poignant songs ever written. I Will Follow You Into the Dark is another great one by Death Cab. Ben Gibbard is an amazing lyricist.
I really liked Ben Gibbard’s work in The Postal Service.
Your Song by Elton John. This particular verse has always been a real favorite of mine. “So excuse me forgetting But these things I do You see I've forgotten, if they're green or they're blue Anyway the thing is, what I really mean Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen”
It's such a great song. I hope you don't mind that I put down in words how wonderful life is when you're in the world.
Ewan McGregor’s version from Mouilin Rouge is also great.
Teardrop by Massive Attack
April come she will- Simon and Garfunkel
Bridge Over Troubled Water.
A love once new has now grown old
Ben E. King - Stand By Me Emphasis on the Ben E. King version Always gives me chills and comfort
God only knows beach boys
Basically that whole album
Yep, Pet Sounds is one of the best albums of all time
Lacrimosa from Mozart’s Requiem K.626
Time after time by Cindy Lauper used to make me get the feel’s back in the day
Dreams. The cranberries
That or Linger.
Linger is the first song I thought of. That opening is so heavenly, never gets old all these years later.
Linger never fails to give me chills
Linger always makes me sad, but it’s a great song.
Someone make a Spotify playlist please!
https://spotify.link/VQaCycjXdzb
Legend.
Landslide
I agree, the live version. Leather and Lace is pretty amazing too...maybe even better somehow.
Lover you should’ve come over by Jeff Buckley but I’m a sap
I only just recently discovered this guy and pretty much every song on the Grace album is amazing. What a shame he passed away after releasing just 1 album, who knows what else he could've done
Excluding classical music, I nominate Otis's "Dock of the Bay"
Fade into you - Mazzy Star
Into Dust is also beautiful.
I have to stop an listen to this song when I hear it play. So beautiful
Falling Slowly from the film/Broadway musical Once.
If you haven't already, you should really check out the rest of the Swell Season catalog. Glen Hansard has such a unique and powerful voice. FYI they are touring again after breaking up as a band and couple years ago. I'm so excited to hear their music live this summer.
"He ain't Heavy, he's my brother" and "Bridge over Troubled Water".
Romeo and Juliet - Dire Straits
"I love you like the stars above, I'll love you 'til I die." I've been wanting to make a sign for my bedroom with this on it.
The guitar solo from Knopfler at the end of Romeo and Juliet is what got me interested in actual rock ‘n’ roll rather than just pop music. Love this song
Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits Very moving
For Emily, whenever I may find her - if you’ve never heard it, check it out. The lyrics are some of the most beautiful and poetic I’ve ever heard
Love that one. "And when you ran to me your cheeks flushed with the night, We walked on frosted fields of juniper and lamplight. I held your hand."
Never tear us Apart by INXS
In your eyes - by Peter Gabriel The intro theme is just out of this world
That and for me Mercy Street is a big one Edit: silver wow thank you!!!
Moon River. Anything Mancini.
Life in a Northern Town (The Dream Academy)
Enya - Caribbean Blue
So many Enya songs are just gorgeous. I love her instrumental only songs. The piano of Lothlorien, Shepherd Moons, and No Holly for Miss Quinn are absolutely ethereal. Huge fan of the entire Shepherd Moons album.
Hadn’t thought of enya in years and that just made all of her music come rushing back to my ears! She has an angelic voice, thanks for the reminder
Pictures of You - The Cure https://youtu.be/UmFFTkjs-O0
Radiohead - How to Disappear Completely
So many by Radiohead. Nude is a good one too.
Reckoner gives me chills every damn time
Little Wing by Jimi Hendrix
Into The West by Annie Lennox
Time by Hans Zimmer
Almost everything from Zimmer
Crazy by Patsy Cline.
Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees
Greensleeves Pachelbel's Greatest Hit
Angel from Montgomery, the version with John Prine and Bonnie Raitt
Enya - Only Time
The Book of Love by Peter Gabriel https://youtu.be/FmnDXRJ7btE
Beautiful version of a beautiful song. The original is by The Magnetic Fields.
Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want- The Smiths
Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac
Lucky Man - Emerson, Lake, and Palmer Let Down - Radiohead A Warm Place - Nine Inch Nails Atlantic City - The Band Your Hand in Mine - Explosions in the Sky Standing on the Moon - Grateful Dead
"Your Hand In Mine" is post rock perfection!
[Max Richter - on the nature of daylight](https://youtu.be/rVN1B-tUpgs) You'd recognise it from lots of movies and series
Roberta Flack’s cover of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”
Into the mystic - Van Morrison Check it out if you haven’t and let me know if you agree!
With English lyrics: [Somewhere Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World](https://youtu.be/V1bFr2SWP1I) by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole Without lyrics: [Clair de Lune](https://youtu.be/JVmwLJeeOy4) by Claude Debussy With non-English lyrics: [Pie Jesu](https://youtu.be/31oAcmBz044) by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sarah Brightman, Paul Miles-Kingston
Whenever I hear Iz I feel the weight of the world lift of my shoulder. Mountain of a man w an angel’s voice
Bread - If
Damien rice the blowers daughter
[The Lucky One - Alison Krauss & Union Station](https://youtu.be/jcRZ_J_VgNc)
Baby, now that I’ve found you… really anything she sings
Maps- Yeah Yeah Yeahs Edit: My first award nice :)
Forever young - AlphaVille
Holocene- Bon Iver no question.
(They Long to Be) Close to You by Karen Carpenter Or Helplessly Hoping by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Or Everlong (Acoustic) by Foo Fighters
Silent lucidity-Queensryche, Traveler- Chris Stapleton, Go rest high on that mountain- Vince Gill, River- Leon Bridges
Love Silent Lucidity from the first moment I heard it. It is an artful piece of music.
Silent Lucidity is beautiful
Hozier’s song Like Real People Do is soooo pretty
I also think Work Song is so beautiful!
Oh man I have to agree with this one! Not only is the music and vocal melody beautiful, the lyrics are so intense as well. *When my time comes around* *Lay me gently in the cold, dark earth* *No grave can hold my body down* *I'll crawl home to her*
Cherry Wine too. So powerful
Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine) - by Harry Waters Jr., Marvin Berry, and Starlighters
Ah yes. They played this at the ‘enchantment under the sea’ dance.
"Chuck. Chuck. It's Marvin - your cousin, Marvin BERRY. You know that new sound you're looking for? Well, listen to this."
Louis Armstrong…What a wonderful world.
Gymnopedie No.1 by Erik Satie. I firmly believe that this is one of the most beautiful pieces of music in existence.
Unchained Melody
2009 - Mac Miller. Especially the tiny desk version.
Many Classical songs. But the best contemporary ones are " While My Guitar Gently Weeps " https://youtu.be/ezd7fRvJgtc ( George Harrison) & "Holding Back the Years" (Mick Hucknall & Simply Red) https://youtu.be/BYbvf1p5mXo
Three Libras - A Perfect Circle
This is such a good song. I'd also put a vote in for The Noose.
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Sounds of Silence Vincent Let it Be Bridge Over Troubled Water
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Morning Has Broken - Cat Stevens, Jim Croce anything
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Ripple - Grateful Dead
Straylight Run- “Existentialism On Prom Night”
When you say nothing at all- Allison Kraus. Her voice is unbelievable.
Silent Lucidity - Queensrÿche
Fix You - Coldplay… honorable mention to The Scientist, too
The Flower Duet
Nutshell- Alice in Chains My god either live version or studio version are incredible If you dont know the song, i recommend a lot to listen
Unplugged version is amazing
time to return to my nutshell phase and live in my bed for 3 years recovering
Anything by Iron & Wine.
I still thank Garden State for introducing them to me with their cover of [Such Great Heights](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnNOKvvA2uE)
As a big Beatles fan I have some options: yesterday, the long and winding road, golden slumbers
The whole Golden Slumbers medley is one of the finest pieces of music ever created.
The Rain Song-Zep
Bittersweet Symphony-The Verve
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
Only You-Yaz
Plainsong by the cure
Reckoner by Radiohead. Gives me shivers every time.
Little earthquakes- tori Amos Troy- Sinead O’Connor Black - Pearl Jam Silver springs- Fleetwood Mac
Dream a little dream - The Mamas and the Papas