What is the most beautiful song ever?

That's a pretty nice list, actually, crimpback (the ones I know, anyway).

Right now, T.G.T.T by Duke Ellington

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThVjVO3YBdU

Can't pick one, but it's probably somewhere on here: http://www.rawkblog.net/2009/02/elliott-smith-the-complete-live-covers/

The Association - Never My Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCniFuHlPG0

Not 'ever' but this year at least.

Scritti Politti - P.A.s

http://youtu.be/vqWzwJ8RTkI

Clammbon - Folklore

http://youtu.be/t8_Yg6yXLMI

Blue in Green - Miles Davis

Not a song but the entirety of David Darling's Cycles. Here's the first track:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QarJeXxCrvg

This thread is a nice read.

keith m's post up top still makes me laugh

Brian Eno - The Big Ship
― tipustiger, Wednesday, February 11, 2004 9:17 PM (thirteen years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Is it the canonical "Canon in D Major"?

― Curt1s St3ph3ns

ugh, yeah, and the saddest song is valse triste, right?

"Not Sport, Marital Art" by Jim O'Rourke.

Gentle Movement Toward Sensual Liberation by Naomi Punk

There are probably 100 songs that, while I am listening to them, seem like the most beautiful song of all.

Peter Hammill, "This Side of the Looking Glass"
Leonard Cohen, "Take This Longing"
10,000 Maniacs, "Verdi Cries"

Let's Stay Together by Al Green

Little Fluffy Clouds

I feel like going with Miles Davis's Flamenco Sketches today, or Beethoven's Hammerklavier sonata, adagio sostenuto.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62xHsMa1siI

came to mind

Cecil Taylor's recording of "This Nearly Was Mine"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrwd6J5HO2U

Some David Axelrod songs. . . stuff like 'The Human Abstract', 'Song of Innocence', 'A Dream', Price's 'A Hope. . .that stuff is so gorgeous, it almost aches to listen to.

And, of course, Miles has some: 'Fran-Dance' comes to mind, in addition to what's already been mentioned. And, even though the mid-70's electric stuff isn't usually associated with being "pretty" music, there are some passages on 'Gondwana' that definitely fit the mood.

And, Bill Evans. Always. 'Peace Piece', 'Blue in Green', 'Waltz for Debby', 'RE: Person I Knew.' Just to scratch the surface, but man, just about 90% of what he played qualifies.

Sorry, that should be Pride's 'A Hope.'

La Mer

O My Stars by Michael Hurlsey

*michael hurley

Should poll these once its got to 50

Either Song to the Siren by This Mortal Coil or Hammond Song by Roches

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnPvnIKCJYA

Such a difficult question, but my first reaction was Pleocene

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxvjXDAfPhk

stopping by the thread to say that I listened to "info freako" on Keith M's suggestion and it is indeed very very bad.

what's the most beautiful song ever? idk..."For No One"? "Caroline No"? "A Case of You?"?

Probably a different Jesus Jones song

on a serious tip, Golden by My Morning Jacket isn't the most beautiful song of all time, but maybe it's the prettiest?

Judee Sill - The Donor

I would like to put in another vote for "Hammond Song"

Ghostwriter by The Arcana

https://youtu.be/ACZ1b5MUVEQ

The Andante moderato movement from Mahler's 6th:

https://youtu.be/YsEo1PsSmbg?t=1480

"the ballad of red buckets" yo la tengo

Lil Uzi Vert - XO TOUR Lif3

Most beautiful song of all time:

Claude Debussy - Clair de Lune

― Moka,

TS: Yo La Tengo's "I Heard You Looking" vs Yo La Tengo's "Blue Line Swinger"

The Donor is a good shout. I'd want to rep for No End by Sandy Denny - especially this home-recorded version:

https://vimeo.com/97535751

New Grass

Gilberto Gil - Toda Menina Baiana
Gilberto has such a joy when he sings almost every song in his catalogue.

Caetano Veloso - Terra
Composed while he was in jail... so gorgeous. Specially live versions. I was in Switzerland when I saw him live and there was a huge Brazillian crowd. That chorus sang by the audience is the closest I've been to a spiritual experience in a concert.

https://youtu.be/mWWIi65O5dg

It was something very close to this version.

I'd consider

Nara Leão - Berimbau (1st album) or Consolaçao
Jorge Ben - Oba la vem ela (among others)
Björk - Hidden Place
Thione Seck - Bamba
Carla Morrison - Disfruto
Pete la Roca - Lazy Afternoon
Joanna Newsom - On a good day (or Only Skin)
Camera Obsura - Forests and Sands
Caetano Veloso - It's a Long Way
The Smiths - There is a light that never goes out (yes, fuck you)
Wailing Souls - Very Well
Orchestre Régional de Kayes - Sanjina
The Paragons - Only a smile
Ijahman Levi - I am a levi (demo version)
Something by the Heptones.
Raekwon - Verbal Intercourse
Erykah Badu - Soldier
Something by Sam Cooke.
Maybe Ann Peebles - I'm gonna tear your playhouse down
James Brown It's a man's man's man's world.
Something by Van Morrison (Madame George).
Sister Sledge - Lost in Music
Can - Future Days
Something by Fela Kuti.
Japan - My New Career.
Yes - Close to the Edge

I'm getting started I think

definitely "turn me on" by kevin lyttle

Beethoven's Heiliger Dankgesang eines Genesenen an die Gottheit, in der lydischen Tonart from his 15th String Quartet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vTSpfWbSGs

^ I agree! I thought about posting that clip or the Busch Quartet earlier. The Heiliger Dankgesang is just incredible.

If we're including instrumental pieces, my default vote is always for the Prelude from Bach's Cello Suite 1 in G, BWV 1007. (But will listen to a lot of these clips when I can! The Darling sounded good yesterday.)