Top 5 most beautiful songs

This is thread to post songs that don't have to be your favorite, but songs that you think are beautiful for whatever reason. Remember to explain why.

Here is my list:

1. Dying to Live-Edgar Winter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfPy4KwuujE

There is something about the comibation of such cynical lyrics and such an uplifting melody thatis simply powerful. Lyrics like "Now they say that there is humor is misfortune.You know I wonder if they'll laugh when I am dead" are sad and beautiful at the same time.

2. In the Ghetto-Elvis Presley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n3ebuL1cPA&feature=related

The minimalist qualities of this song makes the theme hit home. The acoustic guitar is beautiful as are the melodies. This song also shows why Elvis is still considered a top-tier vocalist.

3. Oh Father-Madonna

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvVvN0QvzTk&feature=avmsc2

This song is surprisinglyhaunting (even if she's exaggerating)with a soaring string arrangement that is extremely powerful. Her choked-up voice is gorgeous and perfectly suited to the song. This song shows why Rolling Stone called the album Like A Prayer "as close to art as pop music gets".

4. Carribean Blue-Enya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeYL3uhYv48

This is kind of song that is a sound landscape. It perfectly evokes the feeling of the sea and is simultaneously haunting and beautiful.

5. Summer Highland Falls-Billy Joel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YX1PjJKH6I

I don't really care for Billy Joel, but there's no denying this song's beauty. It's festive piano playing is one of the most perfect representations of the feeling of summer I've ever heard.

Oh yeah, I forgot about Stand By Me by Ben E. King, but I don't feel like replacing anything.

La Princesse Perdue - Camel

It sounds a lot better in the context of the album, as it repeats some of the better melodies from earlier songs and lets them drift into each other splendidly. The guitar solo is beautifully poignant.

Carpet Crawlers - Genesis

Nice vocals and wonderful lyrics make way forsome fabulous harmonies in the chorus.

A Forma Di... - Quella Vecchia Locanda

Great instrumental piece that follows the album's tremendous opening track. I adore the mournful flute-work about a minute in.

Peaches en Regalia - Frank Zappa

I don't really know how to describe this. I guess it's jazzy. It's one of the most perfect embodiments of beauty I've ever heard though.

Farmer in The City - Scott Walker

Not much music here,but what is there rises in a crescendo behind a lovely vocal performance.

For me, probably these atm.

EDIT: forgot to give reasons at first. >_>

Nessun Dorma - Luciano Pavarotti, from Puccini's "Tosca"

A beautiful expression of triumph and joy (the last line in the aria is "I will win! I will win!"). Pavarotti put so much passion, power, and sheer ecstasy into the aria.

Vissi d'arte - Angela Georghiu, from Puccini's "Tosca"

Puccini was undoubtedly a genius at translating raw human emotions into music. You don't need to understand Italian to feel the quiet suffering in this aria. (Basically, the character Tosca is asking God why He is forcing her to make a very unsavory choice, even though she's lived a life devoted to art and piety.) The way Puccini builds the aria to crescendo is masterful. He made suffering sublime. (Personally, I prefer Maria Callas' performance as Tosca, but Georghiu does a great job here.)

Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton

Quite simply, one of the most beautiful love songs ever written.....ever. What I like about it is it's simplicity.

Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen

This song always gets me pumped up. It's a very poetic expression of rebellion. Springsteen in concert in the 1980's was AMAZING. Very few performers give as much as he does on stage.

Thousands of Songs - Priscilla Chan

Hell, I just think she's got a great voice.

If they have to be songs, then I would choose these:

Lady of the Dancing Water - King Crimson
I Talk to the Wind - King Crimson

These two I can tackle with one comment. The flute work is just beautiful, and the vocals on both tracks are excellent, although Greg Lake's are better I think.

What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

Technically not Armstrong's song but I have always just loved his vocals so his version is by far the best I've heard.

Agnus Dei - Karl Jenkins

Some of the most beautiful choral work I've ever heard, it's just amazing. Extremely beautiful song.

Spirit of the Water - Camel

The piano and flute work on this song is just great, and while I don't particularily like the vocal effects, Latimer's vocals are always great.

I would have to say that by and large my favorite compositions are instrumental though.

I can only think of three right now:

3. King Crimson: Matte Kudasai

This is one of my favorite King Crimson songs. Throughout the song is a unique wailing sound created by an electric guitar, The whole song is just really immersive.

2. Black Sabbath: Planet Caravan

It's the soft, yet distorted vocals and the relaxing acoustic guitar that makes this a beautiful song.

1. Alice in Chains: Rotten Apple

I love the sad, melancholic vocals and lyrics combined with the talk box and the depth of the guitar sound (multiple guitars?).

1.The Impossible Dream

Love this song. Both beautiful and uplifting.

2.Hurt

Beautiful song, despite it's downbeat tone. If it was good enough for Johnny Cash to want to cover it for his last song, it shows how much weight the song carries.

3.Nothing Else Matters

One of my favourite songs by my favourite group.

4.What a Wonderful World

Always liked this song. I actually want this one at my funeral :?

5.She's always a woman

I prefer Fyfe Dangerfield's version over Billy Joel's though.

If they have to be songs, then I would choose these:

Lady of the Dancing Water - King Crimson

ex-mortis

Er, that's an interesting choice. :P

When it comes to beautiful songs I'm a bit ignorant to be honest, but I'll take a stab at it with what I have in my music collection.

EDIT: Didn't really explain why, but to be honest I find it a little difficult. I can't quite put what I feel in to words aside from stating the obvious.

Nick Drake - River Man

Excellent vocals, guitar and string arrangements . Very haunting atmosphere.

Mahavishnu Orchestra - A Lotus on Irish Streams

Just a nice song. Excellent playing from the band of course, but unlike their other tracks which display pure virtuosity, this track displays another side to the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Another fairly similar track to this is Thousand Island Park.

Harmonium -Histoires Sans Paroles (Too long, but it's on You Tube in parts.)

This is a really long song, mostly instrumental. Some parts of really beautiful. Hard to describe this song, but I really recommend you listen to it.

Focus -Janis

I really love this song. A relatively simple flute led track with a very peaceful atmosphere. For some reason it makes me think of forests.

Marvin Gaye -What's Going On

The opening track from the excellent album of the same name. Marvin Gaye's superb vocal performance, and the intense subject matter makes this one powerful song.

I can only think of three right now:

3. King Crimson: Matte Kudasai

This is one of my favorite King Crimson songs. Throughout the song is a unique wailing sound created by an electric guitar, The whole song is just really immersive.

DJ Shadow - Midnight in a Perfect World

Pete Rock & CL Smooth - They Reminisce Over You (TROY)

CunninLynguists - Remember Me (Abstract Reality)

My Bloody Valentine - I Only Said

J Dilla - Time: The Donut of the Heart / The Roots - Can't Stop This

When I think of "beautiful songs" this instrumental piece comes to mind:

Adama and Roslin

It's from the show Battlestar Galactica but don't let it's sci-fi tv show-ness deter you. It's emotional, sad, though towards the end picks up and gets a bit cheery. Especially in the context of the show, but the music itself does the talking.

DJ Shadow - Midnight in a Perfect World

Pete Rock & CL Smooth - They Reminisce Over You (TROY)

CunninLynguists - Remember Me (Abstract Reality)

My Bloody Valentine - I Only Said

J Dilla - Time: The Donut of the Heart / The Roots - Can't Stop This

JML897

An American Trilogy - Elvis Presley

The Dance - Garth Brooks

Go Rest High On That Mountain - Vince Gill

Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver

Strawberry Wine - Deana Carter

I'll just post my favourite beautiful song.

Viorar Vel Til Loftarasa by Sigur Ros

burn it down - altar bridge its a downbeat song its like a fire going out and the sun coming up theres a glimmer of hope

imagine - john lennon the lyrics are simple yet are so beautiful

hurt - johnny cash the background to the song and the clips make this song 10x more powerful to me the part where he says about his empire of dirt sends shivers up my spine it like he doesnt need physical posessions anymore this is the johnny cash he wants to keep forever

Anni's Song- John Denver
I Got a Name- Jim Croce
Stand by Me- Ben E King
Rocky Mountain High- John Denver
Take me home, Country Roads- John Denver

An American Trilogy - Elvis Presley

The Dance - Garth Brooks

Go Rest High On That Mountain - Vince Gill

Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver

Strawberry Wine - Deana Carter

racer8dan

[QUOTE="racer8dan"]

An American Trilogy - Elvis Presley

The Dance - Garth Brooks

Go Rest High On That Mountain - Vince Gill

Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver

Strawberry Wine - Deana Carter

Pirate700

Well seeing as so many to choose from and a bunch I like have been picked like Imagine or Nothing Else Matters and I'm just plain old tired I'll list the one I've been listening to a lot lately.

Stairway to Heaven- Led Zepplin: This ballad is just..... wow. You'd think the switches in tempo would be a turn-off but it works and the solo is just magic. Robert Plant's soft voice suits this song so much.

[QUOTE="ex-mortis"]

If they have to be songs, then I would choose these:

Lady of the Dancing Water - King Crimson

WasntAvailable

Er, that's an interesting choice. :P

I don't understand, what's interesting about it? :?

1.The Impossible Dream

Love this song. Both beautiful and uplifting.

2.Hurt

Beautiful song, despite it's downbeat tone. If it was good enough for Johnny Cash to want to cover it for his last song, it shows how much weight the song carries.

3.Nothing Else Matters

One of my favourite songs by my favourite group.

4.What a Wonderful World

Always liked this song. I actually want this one at my funeral :?

5.She's always a woman

I prefer Fyfe Dangerfield's version over Billy Joel's though.

KlepticGrooves

1. Seasons by Mae

Part 1Part 2

This is just an all piano song, written and played by the band's drummer, It just sounds beautiful

2. Where Have You Been? by Manchester Orchestra

This song is just.. epic.

3. Come All You Weary by Thrice

I love the lyrics in this song.. They are brilliant.

4. The Whaler by Thrice

This song is about missing someone.. It is put together quite well.

5. Awakening by Mae

I am in love with this song. It is amazing.

To one far away - Mercyful Fate

Goodbye - King Diamond

Every women has a name - Alice Cooper

Stolen Prayer - Alice Cooper

Might aswell be on Mars - Alice Cooper

And a bunch of other Alice Cooper songs

Amazing Grace is the definition of a beautiful song, and universal appeal.

No other song has that sort of presence, and ability to draw tears.

Heck even the Native Americans sang it on the trail of tears

Unless your atheist.:P

Emilie Simon - I Wanna Be Your Dog

Fiona Apple - Never is a promise

Elsiane - Vaporous

Buckethead - Padmasana

Mika Nakashima - Oborozukiyo Inori

Joy Division- "Atmosphere"

Samuel Barber- "Adagio for Strings"

audioslave- like a stone (great lyrics)

pearl jam-last kiss (so sad)

godsmack-Changes (favorite song)

breaking benjamin-crawl (about hope in moments of loss)

red hot chili peppers-scar tissue

Joy Division- "Atmosphere"

Samuel Barber- "Adagio for Strings"

Shmiity

Oh yeah Adiago for Strings, first heard that in Platoon. Very good choice.

I did ten...

1. Imagine - John Lennon: Beautiful melody, and probably the most beautiful lyrics ever written.

2. Goodnight Irene - Leadbelly: Proof that even the simplest song can be astoundingly beautiful, even if it's not sung by a top notch professional vocalist.

3. Brain Damage/Eclipse - Pink Floyd: The ultimate climax to the ultimate album. Practically the definition of beautiful music.

4. Desolation Row - Bob Dylan: The lyrics describe some of the strangest images you could think of, but it's oddly artistic and beautiful.

5. Let It Be - The Beatles: The swan song for the greatest band of all time couldn't be anything less than beautiful.

6. Stand By Me - Ben E. King: The greatest melodic pop standard by far.

7. The Long and Winding Road - The Beatles: A gorgeous ballad about unrequited love.

8. All Apologies - Nirvana: I couldn't interpret these lyrics to save my life, but the atmosphere seems both tragic and hopeful at the same time.

9. Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley: The King of Rock n' Roll lends his crooning baritone voice to a sweet ballad.

10. Changes - 2Pac: Easily the most beautiful hip hop song.

Don't know about a *top* five, but here are five:

Arcade Fire - Cold Wind Blowing
The Devlins - Waiting
Lamb - Heaven
Sia - Breathe Me
Craig Armstrong - Let's Go Out Tonight

[spoiler] I'm listening to SFU's soundtrack. [/spoiler]

Lazarus by Porcupine Tree. Don't feel like finding more right now. >.>

Going to California by Led Zeppelin

Sowilo Rune by Agalloch

The Great Cold Death of the Earth by Agalloch

Blood Brothers by Iron Maiden

L'amour Detruit by My Dying Bride