What are the most "beautiful" songs you have heard?

She was broadcast on nationwide (Canadian) television singing it in 1966 and even if she liked Tom Rush, I'm sure she thought, like me, she did it better

 

Two recent ones I've heard:

Erroll Garner - Autumn Leaves (from Concert by the Sea)
John Moreland - Losing Sleep Tonight

 

That is good news!3 times is even more impressive.

 

From the 1960's - Scarborough Fair by Simon & Garfunkel

From the 1970's - 10cc's I'm Not In Love

from the 1980's - In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel

From this century, Beck's Heart Is A Drum.

 

Joe Henderson Isfahan written by Billy Strayhorn

 

Another great one: Here’s That Rainy Day by Stan Getz

 

We could probably do a whole thread on beautiful Yes songs;
Final Eyes
Awaken
Onward
Ritual

 

Grateful Dead "Attics of My Life"; Bob Dylan "Every Grain of Sand"

 

And You And I
Turn of the Century
Quartet
In The Presence Of

 

I posted already but really ought to add Judee Sill The Kiss.

 

Soon (which I already listed)
Turn of the Century (definitely!)

 

If you can get past the operatic vocals - Emma Shapplin, Vedi Maria:

 

Of the contenders in my collection, this is the one I've played most over the last year. I also forgot it in my first post. Ever neglected even by her fans it seems.

 

I don't know why but the slight song 'Here She Comes Now' by The Velvet Underground is an object of simple floating beauty and intrigue to me. As much a question as a song. An earlier demo also has a similar spirit to the studio version.

 

Everything on David Crosby If I Could Only Remember My Name LP excluding Cowboy Song.

 

Remember by Nilsson.

 

There's a question that's impossible to answer definitively. Like my love of the Beatles, in which my 'favorite' changes according to mood and circumstance, beautiful songs power to pull is almost always found in the context of the time and place one hears them. That said, here's a recent find that wistfully captivates me on every hearing.

 

John & Beverley Martyn - "Stormbringer!"

 

John & Beverley Martyn - "Would You believe Me?"

Written by a 20 year old John Martyn for his girlfriend of the previous 4 years, when he began a new relationship with Beverley.

The beauty and poignancy of the lyrics are incredible, especially from one so young.

"Would you believe me if I told you
For four long years you kept the wolf from my door
For four long years you kept my feet upon the floor
And now you’re crying
Would you believe me if I told you
That my mind had changed me
That I rearranged me
And now you’re crying.

And it’s a long, long way
It’s such a long, long way
So many turnings, so many turnings.

Would you believe me if I told you
That I’m sorry for the logic in the lies
That I’ve found by complete surprise
The truth
Would you believe me if I told you
That I didn’t want to lose you
That’s why I had to bruise you
So sad.

And it’s a long, long way
It’s such a long, long way
So many turnings, so many turnings.

Would you believe me if I told you
When I said that I could marry you
I surely didn’t mean to carry you
To here
Would you believe me if I told you
That at twenty years young and all
You simply have got no control
Of the time.

And it’s a long, long way
Such a long, long way
So many turnings, so many turnings.

Would you believe me if I told you
For four long years you kept the wolf from my door
For four long years you kept my feet upon the floor
And now you’re crying."

 

Not the best video quality, but I have always gotten chills when I listen to the IUP Marching Band's arrangement of "Amazing Grace."

 

YOB - Marrow from clearing the path to ascend record. Taking doom to a much higher plain

 

Our Prayer - Beach Boys

 

Certainly one of the best!!

 

This one is definitely up there...