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search results for “amazing”
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List songs by Song title | Performer | Year

You searched for ‘amazing’, which matched 175 songs.
click - person recommending, year, performer, songtitle - to see more recommendations.
"a carol for lorelei"  performed by the cryan’ shames  1967
Recommended by association [profile]

scratch in the sky is the name of the cryan' shames
album that came out in 1967 from these chicago soft/sunshine pop masters whom also added an amazing dash of psyche to all there recordings...
"a carol for lorelei" starts the album off with bells and association(ish) harmonies!! brilliant
ignore what allmusic.com said about this album they are fools the song writing is up to par with the beach boys and others.
if you dig the Association and The Millennium and other fine sunshine pop groups with that mellow groove get it now. the japanese import is worth the extra for the original back cover art work that the sundazed version didn't recreate faithfully. i love 'em

from scratch in the sky (columbia 2786)
available on CD - yes (sundazed or even better the japanese import)


’Disco’ La Passione (Adams and Gielen 12 inch mix)  performed by Chris Rea featuring Shirley Bassey  1996
Recommended by FlyingDutchman1971 [profile]

A great torchy song about solitude and lonliness transformed into a thumping dancy powerhouse! Chris Rea was so right in getting Ms. Shirley Bassey to record the vocals on this song and Oliver Adams and Johan Gielen remixed the rather bland original into an amazing fast-paced house anthem!

from La Passione (EastWest EW072CD), available on CD (EastWest)


"vos sos mi amor"  performed by pedro aznar  2010
Recommended by kohl [profile]

amazing, amazing cover of david gray's "the one i love".


available on CD - a solas con el mundo


1972  performed by Josh Rouse
Recommended by sandra_danger [profile]

it's really amazing!
there's piano, drums, guitar andgreat Rouse's voice




90 Miles An Hour  performed by Ricky Fitzpatrick  2002
Recommended by gse [profile]

Remarkable cover of a classically great song. Ricky has an amazing voice and his solo guitar work is clean and just raw enough to engage you. Found him on hte web at www.soundclick.com/rickyfitzpatrick.

I can't think of another current unknown performer who deserves to be propelled into the realm of stardom more than Ricky.

In a word...spercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

from Ricky Fitzpatrick, available on CD


A Dream Goes On Forever  performed by Todd Rundgren  1974
Recommended by BillyG [profile]

I was looking up and down the list and wondered "why wasnt there any Todd Rundgren"? This is one of my all-time favorites from him at his creative peak. Although sometimes his ego and additudes about the music business (and fans) gets in the way of me enjoying his music, on this track he keeps his ego in check and uses his melodic (and commercial) smarts to make this one of this greatest ballads.

This is just an wonderful track, along with a amazing Stevie Wonder meets Brian Wilson all synth production. Also check the solo piano version on his "Back to The Bars" 2-CD set.

from Todd (Bearsville, reissued by Rhino)
available on CD - Todd, also on The Best Of Todd Rundgren (Rhino)


A Perfect Sonnet  performed by Bright Eyes
Recommended by DearPrudence [profile]

A song from the younger days of Conor Oberst. The lyrics are amazing, and he may not be the greatest singer we've ever heard, but he sings it with such intensity it gives you the chills.




Angel Posessed  performed by Halogen
Recommended by timbotones [profile]

beatiful song, -amazing- vocals. you will feel this song.


available on CD - into the crash barrier e.p.


ano zero  performed by egberto gismonti  1972
Recommended by 77lemming [profile]

astonishingly beautiful, early 70s brazilian masterpiece. a classical piece disguised as a pop song, with a simple piano playing a wistful melody punctuated by an amazing unexpected ascending chord hook. gismonti sings the original version, with a string section and morricone-like wordless vocal backing him. for the final minute the key changes and the vocals and accompaniment stop, and the solo piano veers off into satie territory, before resolving back into the refrain. gismonti re-recorded this a few times, after finding success in europe as an avant/classical composer. this song also inspired the guitar and mandolin trio agua e vinho, who cover it on their self-titled album along with a few other gismonti compositions.

from agua e vinho, available on CD


Argomenti  performed by Isobel Campbell  2004
Recommended by eftimihn [profile]

Isobel Campbell was, of course, a member of Belle & Sebastian as well as the lead singer in The Gentle Waves, a disguised solo project backed by members of Belle & Sebastian. Her first "real" solo record "Amorino" was finally released in 2003. This wonderful cover version was only released on her 2004 EP "Time Is Just The Same". And while it's already great to see a Morricone cover version these days, this one is really amazing too. It just suits Mrs. Campbells airy, fairy-like voice perfectly. Compared to the Astrud Gilberto from 1971 this version feels even lighter, calmer, more stripped down since it's not orchestrated with strings.

from Time Is Just The Same, available on CD




  Issie: The singer has a great first name!!!
Arizona  performed by Kings of Leon  2006
Recommended by chiquitagina [profile]

It's beautifully orchestrated. The first few notes set the tone of the song automatically. The introduction has guitar, and drums kick in slowly, making a punch to the ears. It makes me want to drive slowly through a desert (which I am from Arizona) while the full moon is out, windows rolled down and the warm summer air drifting through them. Amazing song. Really does hit home for me.

from Because of the Times


Azure Blue  performed by Laika and the Cosmonauts  1995
Recommended by delicado [profile]

My obsession with this band continues. From a CD that failed to sell on ebay for 50 cents comes this amazing cut - a beautiful instrumental with prominent guitar and organ. While it's surf influenced, it goes beyond that. I'm kind of lost for words, but it's one of those 'This is the best track ever' tracks. You know what I mean?

from The Amazing Colossal band, available on CD



Baby Lemonade  performed by Syd Barrett  1970
Recommended by popgoestheculture [profile]

The best opening to any album ever. Amazing guitar solos, lagging drums, warm organs, and Mr.Barrett himself. It doesn't get any better than this.

from Barrett, available on CD



  konsu: Yeah. This song has so much ragged beauty. The whole records just a circus of deranged, delightful tracks. I also like "Maisy" ,"Wined & Dined" , & "Dominoes"...
  n-jeff: I love it too, theres a fantastic version done for one of the John Peel sessions that Strange Fruit put out in the eighties, that is equally wayward, and equally good. Considering how slight it is, and how lacking in obvious "Psychedelic" conventions, it is surprisingly my favourite Barrett song.
Ball and Biscuit  performed by The White Stripes  2003
Recommended by xfanatic50 [profile]

The White Stripes' longest song at seven minutes, this song is amazing.
Jack White tells you how it is, and his voice takes on a sexy, drawn-out drawl. "I may not be your third man, girl/But it's a fact that I'm your seventh son". Genius.

from Elephant



Beginnings  performed by Astrud Gilberto  1969
Recommended by delicado [profile]

An amazingly warm and funky cover of the Chicago song 'feelings'. I know that doesn't sound like a recipe for success, but it really is very cool. The song degenerates into a huge jamming session at the end and carries on for 9 minutes. But it's storming stuff!

from September 17, 1969, available on CD



black room  performed by jun mayuzumi  1968
Recommended by olli [profile]

totally amazing, swinging piece of japanese vocal-centered 60's big band sound. i�m especially fond of the tarzan-esque way her voice bends at about 2:54, and the uh! ah! sounds of the backup singers. this needs to get its own movie scene ala the big dance number in sabu's "monday", if anyone's seen that.

from angel love capitol 7" cp-1027 (capitol)




  Sem Sinatra: I totally agree with the above. It's by far the best song I've heard by Jun Mayuzumi. Her later songs veer dangerously into Enka (Melodramatic and melancholy but largely very dull Japanese popular song)
  sardonicsmile: oh, i own this 7" too! both sides are great, and so are her gutsy and fun vocals.
Black Talk  performed by Charles Earland  1969
Recommended by tinks [profile]

An AMAZING rearrangement of "Eleanor Rigby". Earland kills on organ, and he's backed up by the incredible Melvin Sparks on guitar and Houston Person on tenor sax. An absolute classic of Hammond jazz.

from Black Talk!, available on CD



Born Under a Bad Sign  performed by Booker T. & the MG's  1969
Recommended by tinks [profile]

An amazing, slow, funky cover of William Bell's classic electric blues. The whole thing serves as a great reminder of how instrumental the rhythm section of Al Jackson, Jr. & Duck Dunn was to "the Memphis Sound".

from Soul Limbo, available on CD



Break Fool  performed by Rah Digga  2000
Recommended by jeanette [profile]

The first lady of the Flipmode Squad. Amazing. Her voice is deep and rasping, tough and hard. She doesn't fall into the traps set for so many other female MCs - "looking pretty in the video", to quote another of her songs - or coming across uber-sexed, or singing any bloody ballads.

She rhymes with precision and with more than a dash of humour. Sounds as fresh as it did 4 years ago, and makes me frustrated for that long overdue second album.

from Dirty Harriet, available on CD



Cash and Carry  performed by Michel LeGrand  1968
Recommended by konsu [profile]

My favorite cut from this amazing soundtrack. A mix of Alpert, Glockenspiel, and jazz scat... Unlike anything else recorded really.

from The Thomas Crown Affair, available on CD


Cerraron sus ojos  performed by Kissing Spell  1970
Recommended by chanchoenroca [profile]

This song it's just amazing, psychedelic music from the south of the world (Chile) before the dictatorship of Pinochet. After 73 the band dissapear.
Also, the lyrics are from a poem of Gustavo Adolfo Becquer, some people say, the last romantic one.
I totally recommend this song, it's just amazing please listen to it!

from Los Pájaros


Chain Reaction  performed by Don Ellis  1972
Recommended by konsu [profile]

Don Ellis is a often overlooked trumpeter/bandleader. His style of jazz was most well recieved in CA, and he's most famous for his Fillmore appearances opening for people like Janis Joplin and Frank Zappa. This is a demonstration of his prowess and his ability to construct an amazing band, and take them to new heights. Recorded hot on the heels of his French Connection score, and more than a decade into his career.

The piece is a sprawling morphilogical journey, full of orchestral passages and time/tempo changes, and blissful rests. He utilizes an "Electric String Quartet", which, through the magic of studio production, sounds like a full string ensemble! Making the wole track just bristle with dark energy.

Produced by the great Teo Macero, who had been doing great work at Columbia for a long time. He did some stuff with Ramsey Lewis around the same time, as well as Miles Davis. This record also has a great version of his "French ConnectionTheme" and really entertaining versions of "Alone Again (Naturally)" & Yes's "Roundabout"!

from Connection (Columbia KC 31766)


Children (Dream Version)  performed by Robert Miles  1996
Recommended by FlyingDutchman1971 [profile]

A great thumping house-groove! Robert Miles flawlessly blends amazing piano work with great techno and produced a great album of very danceable tracks, especially this one. This is perfect for listening to while driving!

from Dreamland, available on CD



Coastin  performed by Cities Aviv  2010
Recommended by geezer [profile]

Hard hittin philosophical rap and sublime orchestral sample combine with crisp machine beats .The track exists for its languid summer chant of "Coastin,Im Coastin".Its beauty is in its amazing choice of lyrics and music which you can chose to drop in and out of at random with equally rewarding results .

from Digital low, available on CD


Coffee Cold  performed by Galt MacDermot  1966
Recommended by brendan [profile]

I first heard this song sampled on 'The Truth' by Handsome Boy Modelling school, essentially the bones of the instrumental coffee cold, with new lyrics from Roisin Murphy (much better than Fergus MacRoy's on a alternate version of the original).

The song itself is piano based, and has amazing drumming. I am a musical goon and cannot explain it much more than that, but the song has a really nice dusty feel to it. The fact that this was sampled in a modern hiphop record and the drums remained unenhaced says a lot.

This is a great song and well worth tracking down for any fans of funk, jazz or hip hop.

from Shapes Of Rhythm (Kilmarnock Records)
available on CD - Shapes Of Rhythm/Woman Is Sweeter (Kilmarnock Records)



  konsu: I believe it's Bernard Purdie playing the drums. Possibly THE most sampled drummer in hip-hop...
Cola Bottle Baby  performed by Edwin Birdsong  1979
Recommended by olli [profile]

Great weirdofunk song, it demonstrates best aspects of the sound of the seventies turning into the eighties. The insanely catchy bloop-twang bassline was sampled by Daft Punk for HarderBetterFasterStronger, but this is a gem in its own right. Five minutes and ten seconds go by amazingly fast when i'm listening to this baby.


available on CD - sampled vol 3


Come Rain or Come Shine  performed by Judy Garland  1963
Recommended by robert[o] [profile]

For those of you out there who are still perplexed by the cult of Judy, may I suggest hardily this amazing DVD? Culled from her now legendary CBS TV series in the early 1960�s, this collection features a selection of solo performances, and �Come Rain or Come Shine� sums up things here perfectly. It is a frenzied, riveting, almost frightening reading of the song. Nick Cave or Polly Harvey wish they were this intense � or perhaps (wisely) they don�t. Judy at this point is a woman ravaged by both her life - alcohol, pills, suicide attempts, catastrophic illness and innumerable career failures and comebacks - and to a certain extent her own astonishing, almost vampryric talent. To see this frail little creature � she was in her early 40�s, but looks about 60 � totter onto this empty stage and become possessed by a song - her voice soaring, her talent surging through her like high voltage electricity - is almost too much to watch. But one has to watch her � even if only to see whether see she spontaneously combusts during the performance. (And those old time Judy-queens still amongst us � God bless them � swear this footage only hints at what it was like to see her live.) Must be seen/heard to be believed.

from The Judy Garland Show: Just Judy DVD (Pioneer Artists PA-11577)


Cough/ Cool  performed by The Misfits  1976
Recommended by Kriswell [profile]

This is by no means a new release, but I've recently gotten back in to it. Most people have a misconception about The Misfits. Yes they have recorded some very 'crap' songs, and the newly re-vised band and almost everything Danzig has done lately is complete garbage in my eyes, however the original Misfits early recordings, circa 1975-77 are simply amazing. 'Cough/ Cool' is a Hammond/ Fender Rhodes driven, atmospheric masterpiece. Danzig croons like Jim Morrison in this emotionally charged ballad(?). Granted, the lyrics are kind of dark, "scent of blood when you cough, cool, cool, cool, cough, cool ", and most of the other words are relatively indeciphrable, yet shockingly 'pretty'...at least in their tonal quality. The song is very scaled-down and under produced (organ, electric piano, bass and drums), but this is a good thing, it's part of its charm. The amount of reverb and slap-back echo on Glenn's voice is brilliant. So, I urge anyone who has never listened to The Misfits due to the forementioned reasons to get off their collective 'high horses' and give it a listen, they have some really great songs. Other good tracks from the same era include; "Return of The Fly", "She", "Hybrid Moments", "Come Back", "American Nightmare", etc...

from the single Cough/ Cool (Caroline)
available on CD - Coffin Box Set (Caroline)




  yoakamae: Ya I'd have to say, the Misfits were an amazing band during the 70's. Their old work was all so original, I can't get a feel for Danzig's new material with his current band. Last Caress is a great old track as well, one of my favourites with that awesome guitar riff, circa '79?
Crab Apple Jam  performed by David Snell  1975
Recommended by joanzaya [profile]

David Snell is an amazing harpist. This track was originally released in 1975 and is from the "On the Side of Angels" album. Since then, it has been found on a variety of compilations; The Mighty Mellow, Cinemaphonic 2: Soul Punch and many others. A great jazz track.

from On the Side of Angels (Programme)


Creole Love Call  performed by The Comedian Harmonists  1933
Recommended by delicado [profile]

An amazing and atmospheric track by this famous German vocal group. There are no words, and the music is produced largely accapella - from what I can hear, there's just piano accompaniment, with some incredible vocal effects that range from beautiful to plain bizarre. The trills and glissando effects are other-worldly, but what really steals the limelight is the tradeoff between a bizarre kitten-like voice and a deep foghorn at 2:12 (featured in the clip)!

None of this will make sense until you hear it, so let me just add that the whole thing has a really pleasant, lazy mood that strongly reminds me of that amazing scene in 'Wild at Heart' when Laura Dern is sat on the car at the gas station and Glen Gray and the Casa Loma band's 'Smoke Rings' is playing.


available on CD - The Comedian Harmonists (Hannibal)




  Turangalila: This track is marvelous, thanks for the heads up.
Dallas to Denver  performed by Levi Smith  2004
Recommended by tradaboie [profile]

This guy has amazing talent. The lyrics to his songs are fantastic. Levi is going places. www.levismith.net

from The One with Bass and Drums


Dance, Bunny Honey, Dance  performed by Penny McLean  1977
Recommended by jeanette [profile]

From that much maligned genre, eurodisco, comes an amazing story of a young girl moving to the city. She has dreams of dancing and making it under the bright lights, but is confronted only by people who see sexuality in her dancing, not freedom. She is exploited; her ideals ruined.

People think I make too much of the genius of Penny. I can often be heard espousing, at length, her brilliance and analysing her songs (I tend to do the latter in my head - there's only so much friends can take). Penny was pretty famous in Germany and only vaguely so everywhere else, primarily for the disco classic Lady Bump. She is now a sci-fi/fantasy novelist but unfortunately her books have not been translated into English else I'd doubtless find social comment in those as well...

from Penny (Columbia (Canadian) PCC-90446)



dances fantastic  performed by neva dinova
Recommended by morning belle [profile]

the lyrics are meh, but it sounds amazing. :)




Daylight  performed by Matt & Kim
Recommended by iangray [profile]

Simply amazing song, very uplifting




det sista �ventyret  performed by sagor & swing  2003
Recommended by olli [profile]

dreamy, ultrascandinavian mellow forest music played on drums and electric organ. beautiful. simple melodies that make me think of mist, small cabins in the woods, owls and little lakes.
try listening to this when you're far from civilization. it's amazing.


available on CD - allt h�nger samman (hapna)



Dirty Harry  performed by Gorillaz
Recommended by sungoddess [profile]

It took me a long, long while to �get� Gorillaz. Oh come on, who didn�t like �Clint Eastwood�? I dunno, having sunshine in a bag is a nice lyric to repeat when people are pissing you and your shit off� yet, �Clint Eastwood� didn�t make me a fan.

No, in fact, no Gorillaz track did more to bring me into the fold than �Dirty Harry�, with its amazing keyboards, bassline and children�s chorale�

It�s just been a while since I�ve come across pop music that was so far off the beaten track, that it redefines what is �mainstream�. This is always fun for music lovers, but once again goes to prove that noone with taste thinks the cookie cutter approach to popular music is the right way.

Well I�m a Gorillaz fan now, maybe three or four years late, but I�m a fan for sure. �Demon Days� has quickly jumped up to �Heavy Rotation� status in my last.fm and musicmobs profiles in a heart beat.

It�s weird, because someone brought a pre-release copy of �Demon Days� for me way back in April, but I listened to it a few times and then ignored it, forgot it for the most part (if you ignore the iconic billboards and posters everywhere across London). I�m famous for that though, I tend to err on the side of not believing the hype, a la Public Enemy.

It was only about three or four weeks ago, after my flatmate�s accidental stop on the �Dirty Harry� video one night, while I was in another room working.

Said keyboards, bass line and chorale, made me stop what I was doing, get up and go into the living room, calling incredulously as I went, �What are you listening to?�

That my friends, is all Big Mami wrote on the matter�

from Demon Days


Doomsday  performed by Murray Gold
Recommended by Nori [profile]

This theme is not techno, which is something I always associated with the Doctor, and so amazing. It is a heartbreaking theme for the last Billie Tyler appearance. Although Rose and the Tenth Doctor had a romantic relationship, this theme could have been applied to other intense relationships that had been ended, such as the death of a child. You definitely do not have to have seen the episode to know that the parting was not voluntary. Another great Doctor Who track, beyond the theme, is 'Bad Wolf Theme'.


available on CD - Doctor Who Original Television Soundtrack


Downfall of us all  performed by A Day to remember
Recommended by Demory [profile]

The guitar is amazing. It flows so perfectly.




Endless Sacrifice  performed by Dream Theater  2003
Recommended by izumi [profile]

It's a shame not everyone can be into this type of music, because this is really one of the best, most incredible songs I've ever heard in my entire life! It's good for all the right reasons...everything about the music is amazing, from lyrics, guitar, bass to drum and all the cool instruments they've used.

This song is REALLY long (about 10 minutes I think!) so it's a real musical odyssey and worth listening to. It's one of those great works of art that needs all your attention because it won't let your mind stay idle while you're listening to it. The guitar riffs are so breath-taking and the big instrumental break halfway through the song makes it outstanding.

from Train of Thought (Elektrik 7559628912)


epiphany  performed by staind
Recommended by atticus [profile]

this song by staind shows extreme versatility for a band who is known for hammering away their music on stage. aaron lewis, the band's lead vocalist, displays tremendous strength in his voice in this piece, and the emotion of his words can be felt by all who listen. the lyrics are amazing, as is the case with all of staind's tracks.

from break the cycle


Extra Ordinary Thing  performed by Aqualung
Recommended by blindmelon7 [profile]

Almost a clasical piano piece but with amazing vocals




False Cathedrals  performed by Elliott  1998
Recommended by murdershewrote [profile]

False Cathedrals is actually the CD; but all of the cd is so amazing. especially #2, #8 etc....

from False Cathedrals, available on CD


Fascination  performed by Saint Etienne  2004
Recommended by eftimihn [profile]

With Saint Etienne being one of my favourite groups of the last decades (and possibly the best british pop group today) it's really hard to pick a track, it wouldn't be hard to recommend dozens of amazing tracks they did the last 15 years. That said, "Fascination" is the only new song they produced since Finisterre (2002) and it was included on their first compilation released in the US. It doesn't really matter if they embrace a more late 60s style a la Good Humor or a more electronic or dance approach to their music, due to Sarah Cracknells distinctive voice and Stanleys and Wiggs' ear for strong melodies it always sounds essentially Saint Etienne. This one is a heartfelt, bittersweet song, with an almost Hip Hop-ish basic beat, lush synths, floating harp-like electronica and a great piano melody.

from Travel Edition 1990-2005, available on CD



Fatal Tragedy  performed by Dream Theater
Recommended by Darke Soul [profile]

This is my favorite song of all time. I think it epitomizes Dream Theater's amazing style and musical prowess. If you listen to this song and it doesn't move you, then you may want to check your pulse because you might be dead.

from Metropolis 2: Scenes From A Memory, available on CD


fell down the stairs  performed by tilly and the wall  2004
Recommended by lexie [profile]

geeetars, synthesizers and tap dancers + pop-ish happy sound=amazing. what more is there to say? this song was lovely live, as well.

from Wild Like children


Fever Dreams  performed by Circa Survive  2010
Recommended by Kalaier [profile]

latin influenced, amazing vocals, opening guitar line is fantastic, lyrics are beautifully written, This song is just really powerful!

from Blue Sky Noise, available on CD


Flight 643  performed by Tiesto  2004
Recommended by Wynnde [profile]

One of the most influential and awesome dance tracks of '04..and still bears playing today. Rumored to have been written during a flight from Amsterdam to the US, the title certainly supports the idea.
Rolling bassline, tight and hard kick and an amazing array of drumwork compliment a very simple and yet gracefully full-on melody (Tiesto's signature in my opinion). As with most of Tiesto's production work, an excellent track and well put together, displaying an awesome talent for a wonderful genre...Trance.




Flood  performed by Boris  2000
Recommended by Sandwiches [profile]

This album has been so amazing to listen to lately. From the beginning riff that is looped and over and over and enventually shifted around 360 degrees with a simple delay into a beautiful guitar arrangement and of course Boris' most notable feedback/fuzz perfection. Much like the new album, this arrangement reminds me of the type of music Godspeed You Black Emperor might make if they were a little darker, a little heavier, and a lot more Japanese. From the solos to the repetition of drums and sludge, I can always throw this on riding the train home and forget about all the ugly bullshit I had to put up with during the day.


available on CD - Flood (MIDI Creative)


flowers by the moon  performed by the reign of kindo
Recommended by nothingeddy [profile]

this band generally makes amazing music.. don't stop at this track!




Flugufrelsarinn  performed by Sigur Ros  2000
Recommended by Genza [profile]

Some of the albums I like are good - a select few are really fabulous. This track comes from a fabulous album. Mirroring Slowdive's early 1990s soundscapes, Icelandic post-rockers Sigur Ros blend marimba, orchestra and effect-laiden guitar to create amazing tunes. Flugufrelsarinn is the pick - with a glorious multi-layered sound and an epic chorus. You must own this.

from Agaetis Byrjun (Fat Cat Records)


For a short time  performed by Tiddas  1998
Recommended by phil [profile]

Absolutely fantastic, amazing, beautiful singing - it'll really knock your socks off. The tiddas seem to concentrate on singing above everything else - they are three women, two of whom play the acoustic guitar, and that's it, but the result is just sensational harmonies and brilliant interpretations of songs, some of which are aboriginal folk songs, others their own, and others just covers.

This is a cover of a song by the splendidly-named Weddings, Parties, Anything. Both versions are absolutely brilliant but the singing on this tiddas one is just out of this world.

from Lethal by the kilo, available on CD


For Love  performed by Lush  1992
Recommended by parlop [profile]

"this is so real, it's what i feel. i look in your eyes and lose myself" this song is a great dream-poppy ditty about someone falling in love with falling in love... which is kind of cheesy in a sense... but Lush just does it so amazingly. I really like how this band really embraces their girly-ness and doesn't try to act like their trying to keep up with the boys as many female-led bands from their era were doing. the background vocals are amazingly beautiful as are the guitar solos. There's a nice, lush, romantic feeling received from listening to this song. the imagery from the aforementioned lyric is very nice as well.

from Spooky (4ad)


Frozen (Stereo MCs Remix)  performed by Madonna  1998
Recommended by FlyingDutchman1971 [profile]

A beautiful original, mixed with a great hip-hop bassbeat. This was Madonna's first album after her admittedly excellent performance in the film, 'Evita'. In preparing for the film, she had actually taken professional voice instruction where she learned to project her voice and put less strain on her vocal chords. The transformation was amazing and she has sounded so much better since. She was also on a spiritual journey as she began her role as a mother and the lyrics bespeak this journey in her use of very emotional words and the warm sound in her voice. This is not, 'like a virgin', this is a woman reborn!

from Frozen CD Single (Maverick / Warner Bros 43993-2)


Gravity Grave  performed by Verve  1993
Recommended by LawrenceM [profile]

a fantastic 8 minute trip. loose, completely unstructured with neither verse nor chorus to be found. just fantastic vibes and a sense that this is like nothing you've ever heard before. this song works amazingly well if you're driving down a country road in the middle of the night, when the road is covered in fog.

from Gravity Grave EP (Hut)
available on CD - The Verve EP (Vernon Yard)



Guess I�m Dumb  performed by Glen Campbell  1965
Recommended by Pal [profile]

An totally amazing Brian Wilson song!


available on CD - The Brian Wilsons Productions (Aze Records)



  Goes Up To 11: As you might know, after the first few Beach Boys albums, Brian Wilson stopped touring with the group and stayed back in LA to write songs and record instrumental tracks for the next album while the band was out on the road. Somebody had to fill in for Brian with the touring band, and for a while that someone was Glen Campbell. So the story is that Brian gave this song to Glen Campbell as a thank you. A great cover version appears on the Wondermints' 2000 UK reissue of the album "Wonderful World of the Wondermints." The Wondermints, a great LA band in their own right, now form the core of Brian Wilson's current touring band.
ha ha  performed by mates of state  2003
Recommended by catch_her [profile]

" It's difficult to place MOS in a genre as the song structures are unique, often complex. At the same time there are always the pop elements of catchy melodies and loads of harmony. Even though there are only two of them, they fill up the space with the monster, bass-heavy organ, creative drumming, and constant dueling vocals. The music can be sweet. At other times it's spastic, but either way, you leave MOS shows with a warm feeling.



Mates of State has been described by critics as unabashed joy, honesty at its best, a two piece with balls, and a band that you must see live. " (taken from official website)







amazing.

from team boo


Hail the word of Jah  performed by The Congos  1979
Recommended by james [profile]

Stunning late seventies reggae. maybe it's Blood and Fire's tasty design that makes the whole album feel like it was released for the first time yesterday, but I suspect it has more to do with the amazingly clean and timeless production. At any rate this song in particular brings me a feeling of great happiness and well-being.

Sublime lead and backing vocals with a bass line worthy of deep praise and adoration and lead guitar by the peerless Ernest Ranglin. A beautiful song.

from Congo Ashanti (Blood and Fire)



  pleasepleaseme: I don't own this record, but the album "Heart of the Congos" by the Congos from 1977 is a must have session! Some of the most uplifting Jamaican Soul.
  mattypenny: SLightly OT - their Row, Fisherman, from the Heart of the Congos was really good for getting our nipper off to sleep. A combination of the high voices, bass sounds and reggae rhythms, I guess. Cracking song in any case
  james: Am going to listen to Row, Fisherman Row - thanks for reminding me! must be something about falsetto reggae artists, our second boy was always mightily calmed by the Minstrel by Cornell Campbell - not really in the same league as the congos but check him out if you don't know him.
Halleluja  performed by Jeff Buckley  1995
Recommended by elizabeth [profile]

An amazing arrangement of this incredible song, it is haunting and pleading and desperate.


available on CD - Grace (Columbia)


Hallelujah  performed by Rufus Wainright
Recommended by mcglynn3000 [profile]

This is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. The guitar riff is peaceful and hypnotizing, and the lyrics are amazing. Also it's in Shrek.




He War  performed by Cat Power
Recommended by he_war [profile]

It has piano and bass and drums
It sounds amazing
I love it because it is slow and easy listening

from You Are Free


Heaven Knows I’m miserable now  performed by The Smiths  1985
Recommended by delicado [profile]

I love this much-derided song. People quote it as proof that the Smiths made morose music for morose people, but if you actually listen, it’s an amazingly uplifting song. Johnny Marr’s guitar is heavenly sounding; it all reminds me that no one else really made pop like the Smiths. What I've just said really completely fails to do the song justice. Ah well...

from Hatful of Hollow, available on CD




  schlemmsy: I quite agree. And this is not due to my love of uplifting house.
  john_l: Yup, this is the one that made me sit up and take notice ...
  raumfahrer1rolf: I love this song too. How is a person "miserable" when singing or hearing this song? It shows quite a bit of Morrissey here - he's "miserable" but it all sounds sublime, with a wistful tongue-in-cheekness to it. It's really pretty actually. If this is "misery" then please give me more of it, I'll get along quite nicely!
  daniela_por: This song will never be forgotten. It's simply great :)
Heaven Must Be Like This  performed by Ohio Players  1974
Recommended by pleasepleaseme [profile]

Seven minutes of soul bliss. Loverboys the Players are. Amazing vocals. Great piano work.

Sweet guitar riffing. Nice Flutelines. The title doesn't lie.

from "Skin Tight", available on CD


Helicopter  performed by Bloc Party  2005
Recommended by Rory426 [profile]

absolutely amazing track with great, slightly political, lyrics and the best track, in my opinion, on their fantastic album "silent alarm"

from Silent Alarm


Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect  performed by The Decemberists
Recommended by karismaklysm [profile]

Its a great track to introduce you to this band with their lyrical flourish and amazing images.




Here in heaven  performed by Sparks  1974
Recommended by delicado [profile]

Just unbelievably awesome stuff!

It's a song about a suicide pact gone wrong. Amazing falsetto (and non-falsetto) vocals. Great glam production. Fantastic guitar solo at 1:40.

It's hard to choose just one track to recommend by this group, but I've settled for this one for now. 'Thank God it isn't Christmas' was a close runner up.

(weirdly, there are a few tracks by them that I would really rather never hear again in my life. Like 'Get in the swing'. Have you heard this track? I have serious trouble with it!)

Anyway, 1974 - great year!

from Kimono My House (Island)




  Mike: Sparks have indeed produced some good and some extremely bad material. I may still own - somewhere - this LP, though the most-played track on it was always "This town ain't big enough..." 1974 - yes, an incredible year which also brought us such marvels as the Glitter Band's "Angel Face".
  geezer: only Sparks could be comfortable with such subject matter there is humour in everything they do like Tryouts for the Human Race a song for sperm everywhere
hey there delilah  performed by plain white t’s
Recommended by sneha [profile]

amazing lyrics and fantastic music




High Hopes  performed by Pink Floyd  1982
Recommended by Vagina Man [profile]

Pink Floyd is very well established so I won't go into how amazing they are, but what I will do is tell you that all the songs you hear on the radio don't compare to this one. Okay I might have jumped the gun, but all this song takes is one time and bang you will find yourself singing it for days. I would just sit have a drink and put this song on repeat. It sooths the soul and quenches the mind. It is so relaxing that I farted while listen to it. In all honesty the first time I heard it it gave me goos bumps it was that powerful. So if you like Floyd and don't know this song, go get it.

from Division Bells



  Mike: One of the things I am always concerned about when deciding what music to listen to is how much it will tend to make me fart (and then of course there is the issue of the precise type of fart which will tend to result).
  Mike: Oh, and it's from The Division Bell, released in 1994. I just sold my copy...made me fart too much
Holier than thou  performed by Rita Hosking
Recommended by ebrettski [profile]

This woman is amazing....very country so some may struggle but what a voice. Great lyrics too




How Can I Be Sure  performed by Dusty Springfield  1970
Recommended by Mister C [profile]

This should have been massive for Dusty in 1970, a lovely arrangement including accordian, it only reached the mid 30's in the UK. Amazingly David Cassidy had a big hit with it only 3 years later, it was nowhere near as good as Dusty's.

from The Silver Collection (Philips 834 128-2)



  robert[o]: A good friend of mine has this theory that the greatest pop songs are ultimately about states of joy. I don't know I if agree, but this song is supports the arguement really well. St. Dusty @ her most god-like. Great choice.
  rio: aptly put indeed; "spooky", another case in point with dusty..
  Flippet: Have to disagree with the comment on David Cassidy's "How Can I Be Sure". While Dusty gave the song her own sensitive interpretation, David's version is totally memorable and is a true pop classic of the 70s. The production quality of the track and David's amazing vocals deservedly took the song to #1.
  konsu: Hmmm... It's almost as if The Young Rascals didn't exsit.
  Swinging London: I always thought the Young Rascals' version was terribly produced, though I can't remember why. I was always hearing them on the oldies channels in New York City when I lived there...apart from 'Groovin'' they're practically unknown in England.
Hug My Soul  performed by Saint Etienne  1994
Recommended by LawrenceM [profile]

A lovely, soulful, poppy dance song. I've never understood why a band like Saint Etienne aren't serious chart contenders. They make intelligent pop music, have great tunes, have a beautiful lead singer with an amazing voice. And yet "the kids" prefer manufactured acts like Kylie Minogue. (sigh). The Saints have released so many brilliant pop songs, but this is my favourite.

from Tiger Bay, available on CD


Hurry to Me  performed by Roy Budd  1969
Recommended by delicado [profile]

A superb recording of a really perfect song. Ennio Morricone's theme to the obscure movie 'metti, una cera a cena' (one night at dinner) is here performed in a classic crisp, clear version by Roy Budd. I'm not sure if I love this recording so much because it was the first version I heard, but I think it may even be better than the Morricone recording. Anyway, if you don't know this song, you will probably recognise it when you hear it. It features an infuriatingly catchy repetitive female wordless-vocal over a gentle bossa beat, with rich strings and piano. Every now and then everything goes quiet and all you hear are the vocals and a faint tremelo guitar. It is really amazingly beautiful. There is also a great italian version of this song by Milva, which sounds amazingly like the group Stereolab.

from Soldier Blue (Pye NSPL 18348)
available on CD - Sound Spectrum (Sequel)




  leonthedog: The Budd version is also available on "Rebirth of the Budd," for those (like myself) wanting an introduction to his work. The Sandpipers' version on "Canto Morricone Vol." is equally nice.
  DickieB: I just wanted to recommend ‘The Sound Spectrum’ which this is on. I’ve had a copy of years but have only just realised that it’s essential listening - if you like this sort of thing, probably drive you mad otherwise.
  delicado: Yes, it\'s a cracking compilation. It\'s so well done that if you listen to the tracks out of context (e.g. on the original LPs), they don\'t sound as thrilling as they do on this mix!
I Close My Eyes  performed by Bee Gees  1967
Recommended by tinks [profile]

It's a sad fact that the Bee Gees are a group primarily remembered for only one thing. If this were a perfect world, people would realize what an jaw-droppingly amazing group they once were. To me, their first LP is an orchestral psychedelic pop masterpiece easily the equal of the Kinks' "Village Green" or Billy Nicholls' "Would You Believe", and also just about as close at Britain ever got to replicating "Pet Sounds". On this track, listen for the insane rubber-band bassline, the staccato organ fills, the odd timbre of the voices or the occassional flute bit. It's a song bursting with an enthusiam the likes of which people only had during the middle 60s.

from Bee Gees' 1st, available on CD




  ronin: Ah, 1967. "NY Mining Disaster 1941" is a major hit in Boston. And Bee Gees 1st, complete w/cover art by Klaus Voorman, was the 1st lp I ever bought. If only the Bee Gees had kept singing like this instead of the whole falsetto/disco bit! "Odd timbre of voices" indeed! Robin (we always assumed) had his top teeth hanging out when he did this one. His vocal versatility is amazing. "Craise Finton Kirk," with its simple piano accompaniment, is a standout from this lp., too.
I love being here with you  performed by Diana Krall
Recommended by jazzman [profile]

hot, swinging jazz at its best. Diana Krall with an incredible talented ensemble, John Clayton - Acoustic bass, Jeff Hamilton - Drums and Anthony Wilson on guitar. On this recording Krall shows her full potential, amazing technical skills on the piano combined with an exceptional vocal interpretation.
She also made a studio recording of this song which is good, but nothing compared to this version. However, if you are interested in buying this song I strongly recommend buying the DVD, then you get 2hrs+ of top quality entertainment.

from Live In Paris (Verve)


I Thought You Were My Boyfriend  performed by Magnetic Fields
Recommended by sarahkathleen [profile]

I first heard this song and thought it was the album's standout track, but then the guy I was quasi-seeing (I thought he was my boyfriend, get it?) started seeing someone else. That was when I realized the true genius of the lyrics. The music is amazing as well, and it is one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands.

from I


in the end  performed by linkin park
Recommended by mfem [profile]

rock, with hip hop elemnts
guitar, scratch

strong melody, good lyrics,
with an amazing power

from hybrid theory


Iris  performed by Goo Goo Dolls  1998
Recommended by Carrie [profile]

You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be,
And I don't want to go home right now..


This song always leaves me feeling emotionally shaken, but in a good way. The lyrics are really powerful.

The sound is amazing; the guitar sounds great.
One of the other instruments used is a mandolin.

Definately one of my favourite songs.

from Dizzy Up The Girl
available on CD - City of Angels Soundtrack



  CaitlinSpelledWrong: I always wondered exactly what was the instrument in that song that I loved. I thought maybe it was a violin but it must be a mandolin. It's so beautiful and it just adds to the beauty of the lyrics
it’s a thin line (between love and hate)  performed by annie lennox
Recommended by complacentbasement [profile]

i'm not sure if this is a cover, (most of the songs off her album 'medusa" are) but it is the most amazingly beautiful song... it's smooth, sultry, and you can definately get your business going on to it...





  konsu: It is a cover. Originally by The Persuaders, an R&B group that are still kickin' today! They charted this one I believe in 71'. Also covered by The Prentenders in the 80's... You should seek out the original, because the context of the words changes to a male perspective, which, to me, makes it one of the coolest songs ever.
  FlyingDutchman1971: The original is great, but I'm partial to The Pretenders cover version. Chrissie Hynde sang this song the best(imho)
It’s Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door  performed by Underoath  2004
Recommended by Biscuit [profile]

Driving, melodic, hardcore emo Christian sound, with screaming vocals on top and behind melodic vocals. There are a few vocal breaks, pauses, and major crescendos. It is just an amazing emotional song, and it also has amazing lyrics.

from They're Only Chasing Safety (Tooth and Nail)


Jack's Broth  performed by The Harmony Kings Orchestra  1939
Recommended by respiro [profile]

A catchy calypso number whose strength lies with its amazing vocals and well used horns.The vocals are crackly and worn with a Cab Calloway-esque charisma.

from West Indian Rhythm - Trinidad Calypsos On World And Local Events Featuring The Censored Recordings 1938-1940


Landed  performed by Ben Folds
Recommended by alphabetjoan [profile]

It's amazing!




Last Summer  performed by Lostprophets  2004
Recommended by izumi [profile]

I love music that can make you visualize in your mind what the song is trying to convey. This is one of those songs that always makes me feel nostalgic and wistful whenever I hear it - nostalgic not because it's a song from my childhood but because it talks about happy times gone by. When I hear it, I can picture in my mind a group of friends driving in a car through their hometown with an orange sunset in the sky. This is a song about happy memories which is something that everybody can relate to.

The instrumentals are nice too. I like how the guitar flares up at the chorus, and the steady beat of the drum, and how the singer's voice seems to echo throughout the song even after he's sung a word. This song might not seem very special, but it's amazing to listen to!

from Start Something (Visible Noise TORMENT32)


Let Me Be  performed by Xavier Rudd
Recommended by mellocello [profile]

Xavier Rudd is Australian, or well, Canadian but raised in Australia, or something, when first hearing him and all his Aboriginee instruments, we all thought he had to be aboriginal himself, even his accent was convincing, we were sorely mistaken. even still, all his songs have a good solid beat and he is essentially a one man band, amazing stuff. this song is nice and bouncy and great stuff, especially as an introductory song to all his other creations.




Let There Be Love  performed by Oasis
Recommended by daniela_por [profile]

Beautiful Ballad. The combination of Noel and Liam's voices is amazing. By the way, this songs has truly great lyrics (as usual in Oasis' songs anyway).




listen to your friends  performed by new found glory
Recommended by redneckj693 [profile]

punk. its amazing

from Not without a fight (bridge 9)


lose yourself  performed by eminem
Recommended by ashley14 [profile]

this song is probably one of the best songs eminem has written, although everything he writes is amazing :) its more emotional and serious than his other songs which is cool. plus, i really like the beat, backround music,and of course, the lyrics


available on CD - curtain call, etc


Lost  performed by Morrissey  1997
Recommended by MickeyPeas [profile]

"Jet trails in the sky, leave one word behind". This amazing Morrissey track is the "b" side of his "Roy's Keen" single (along with another wonderful track "The Edges Are No Longer Parallel"). Co-written this time with Morrissey's drummer Spencer Cobrin, it's so strong lyrically, and has a wonderful melody it could have been a single in its own right. The only gripe I have about it is the use of a synth rather than real strings to provide the widescreen backdrop, but it's not terribly important. A wonderful torch song from one of the only British singer/songwriters still worth listening to.


available on CD - Roy's Keen (single) (Island)


Lovely Allen  performed by Holy Fuck  2004
Recommended by whitelight [profile]

Electronic music made and performed without the use of laptop computers. great string sample from sigur ros. Holy Fuck is an amazing group

from holy fuck


Lynguistics  performed by Cunninlynguists
Recommended by Monkee111 [profile]

This track has great flow, an amazing beat, and the lyrics are masterfully clever.


available on CD - Will Rap For Food


Más Papaya  performed by Sidestepper  2003
Recommended by Betto_Colombia [profile]

Cumbia folk music from Colombia with really cool modern arrangements. An amazing fusion of Carribbean with electronica with a very unique Afro-Colombian style.


available on CD - 3 AM


mao boy!  performed by indochine
Recommended by licoricewhipped [profile]

i heard this song for the first time on mtv while i was in paris. this song is amazing, with a very slight 80's vibe to it. i have no idea what they are saying, but i love it anyway.




Maps  performed by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs  2003
Recommended by xfanatic50 [profile]

Vulnerable, moving and heartbreaking. Karen O reigns in her vocals, and the band cuts out the noise leaving behind an incredible post-punk love song that will blow your mind. The best and most understated track on an amazing debut album.

from Fever to Tell (Interscope)



Mi Querido Amor (My Cherie Amour)  performed by Cristian Castro  1994
Recommended by RCA76 [profile]

I love this Spanish version of the Stevie Wonder classic because it the new instrumentation. It is still very Stevie Wonder with a new, latin flair. The vocals are absolutely amazing, this guy can really sing.

from El Camino Del Alma, available on CD


Miss Allen�s Blues  performed by Ernestine Allen  1961
Recommended by jeanette [profile]

Maybe it's just me getting older, but I lap this kinda stuff up these days. I can't get enough of ol' style R&B, jump blues or a song like this: swingin', heartbreaking and outstandingly sung by a woman who is undeservedly just a footnote in musical history.

Ernestine (who sometimes recorded under the name Annisteen) works her smooth chords to a blues vocal with light jazzy backing. Almost Peggy Lee like in places, but with the benefit of King Curtis' sax and an amazing rhythm section that Ernestine obviously connects with.

The lyrics are beautiful, too: "You cry so hard, you cry like you never cried before; you moan and you groan so sad, you give the blues to your neighbour next door."

from Let It Roll, available on CD



Muscle Museum  performed by Muse  1999
Recommended by amused [profile]

Amazingly atmospheric, great bass line with the vocals, guitar, bass and drums interwoven incredibly. Hard to describe but deffinitely my favourite song from this excellent album.

from Showbiz (Mushroom)


My Baby Likes to Boogaloo  performed by Don Gardner  1967
Recommended by realpill [profile]

It's an absolutely over-the-top hard soul dance tune. I first heard it on a soul compilation and recently, against all odds, I found the 45! Really cool mid paced groove with amazing guitar sound.





My Own Sinking Ship  performed by Good Old War
Recommended by zmarq13 [profile]

The entire album is incredible but this song is probably my favorite . I love their folksy alternative spin on music it works extremely well with their amazing harmony. Just a great song from a great band. (Band Members: Keith GOODwin, Tim ArnOLD, and Dan SchWARtz)

from Good Old War


Mystery Girl  performed by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs  2001
Recommended by lpeditor [profile]

Amazing stripped down rock and roll. With just guitar, drums and vocals they manage to build some great dynamics into this tune. The Link Wray style reverby guitar and handclaps work a treat too. They recorded a session for Radio 1 in the UK which is still available from Steve Lamaq's page on the BBC Radio 1 website.


available on CD - The Yeah Yeah Yeahs EP (Wichita)



  Stian______: Very very nice , thx for the recomendation , it totally rocks ,very much energy and enthusiasm , and simple but clever arrangement ,what more can one want from a rock tune eh .
Not A Pretty Girl  performed by Ani Difranco  1995
Recommended by hopefully86 [profile]

I notice a few of her songs are on here, appropriately, because she is an amazing singer/songwriter/musician. Her lyrics are quirky and edgy, but also catchy. "Not a Pretty Girl" is basically saying 'hey, i don't need to be rescued, so get lost little boy".


available on CD - Not a Pretty Girl


November Rain  performed by Guns n’ Roses  1991
Recommended by izumi [profile]

Another song that needs no introduction. This is a classic rock ballad known to all, by one of the greatest bands ever. The music has this grand, anthemic feel to it which I really like. I don't think it's trying to be pretentious at all, as some people might think. It's a great ballad that uses orchestral music, with an amazing guitar running through it.

from Use Your Illusion Vol. 1 (Geffen GEFD24415)
available on CD - Greatest Hits (Geffen)


Obstacle #1  performed by Interpol  2002
Recommended by umbrellasfollowrain [profile]

It's manic. Snapped wires. Screaming at the boxcars as they go by. Kid listened to too many Joy Division records in high school and not only did he pick up an attraction to crazy, but he learned how to freak out to that crazy in melody as well. And freak out he does. But he'll tell you why he's freaking out, he'll make you feel it too. And turns out, he has good reason to freak out. Dude's in deep with a bad chick who's, well, she's pretty bad. He waits until the chorus before shrieking for help, "She can't read!" There are those intimate little details that make you realize he's caught in this relationship, he's in love, he loves crazy, he's not getting out any time soon. "It's in the way she pulls it." and the amazing line, "Her stories are boring and stuff /she's always calling my bluff." Sears my frickin' heart.





  executiveslacks: I wanted to hate Interpol, but simply couldn't after hearing this song.
Ode to Billy Joe  performed by Buddy Merrill  1968
Recommended by delicado [profile]

Another amazing version of this fantastic tune. This features several very different-sounding multitracked guitars, and really is quite astounding. It feels very short at a little under 2 and a half minutes. The opening features an acoustic guitar playing a wonderfully delicate and precise rhythm, accompanied by a nice wall of strings and electric guitar hits. A twangy picked guitar plays the melody, building gradually for about a minute.

The track then explodes into a quite amazing sequence, in which a dirty-sounding fuzz guitar picks out a bassline while a manic and jazzy improvised guitar solo moves around over the top and the strings maintain some solid bluesey chords. The sound is extremely funky, and vaguely reminiscent of some tracks from the late 60s 101 strings album 'Astro Sounds from beyond the year 2000', but ends up being more tasteful. Pure genius!

from Land of a Thousand Guitars (Accent ACS 5026)
available on CD - 25 All time hits (Accent)



Only the Good Die Young  performed by Billy Joel  1995
Recommended by ajhorse21 [profile]

The lyrics definitely required thought- they use figurative language. The tune to this song stays stuck in your head, but you're never upset. It's always good and it's just an amazing song.


available on CD - The Essential Billy Joel


P’ra Que Chorar  performed by G/9 Group  1968
Recommended by sodapop650 [profile]

This LP was recorded for export in 1968. The group is Dom Salvador (piano); Neco (guitar);Wilson Das Neves (drums); Pedro (percussion); Sergio (bass); and Joab, Zeze, Edgardo and Valeria on vocals.

P'ra Que Chorar is the opening track of this amazing LP. Its light, it moves, and the vocals are reminiscent of the landmark Sergio Mendes Brazil 66 recordings. Its also sung in English, as are several of the songs on the LP. Im not sure who penned the original version of the song, but its rendering here is wonderful and sets the tone for this entire landmark LP.

I plan to post the entire LP on my website www.sabadabada.com later this month.

from G/9 Group


Pe  performed by Silvia Machete
Recommended by MRadix [profile]

really good brazillian singer, even though nobody really enjoys her in brazil, still an amazing talent. Her band is pretty cool too. Sounds like a mix between Os mutantes with a some samba in it.

from Extravaganza


Phantasmagoria In Two  performed by Tim Buckley  1967
Recommended by mcinto_i [profile]

After years of thinking (quite selfishly) how tragic it was that Jeff Buckley only gave us two beautiful albums plus a few bits and pieces, I started to think that even though his old man died young as well, he released 9 albums and that there was almost certainly an untapped resource just asking for the tapping. I've only got a couple so far (Goodbye and Hello, and Greetings from LA) but the similarities with Jeff are amazing. They both have this sort of (and I'm sure I'm not the first to use this term in reference to the Buckleys) 'sad beauty' about the melody and changes which just never fails to give me a lift. This song is a prime example of that.

from Goodbye and Hello




  4givemyNglish: From Tim Buckley, i only knew the covers made by This Mortal Coil on their 3 LPs. I recently listened to the original versions of songs like Song to the Siren or I must Be Blind. Buckley had simply an awesome voice and that song you recommend is just beautiful.
Pizzicato Five X (remix by Pandart Sashoona)  performed by Pizzicato Five  2000
Recommended by opl3003 [profile]

This is an almost 12 minute remix of tons of different Pizzicato Five songs by the Tokyo DJ duo Pandart Sashoona. It's quite amazing and very danceable. If you're never heard Pizzicato Five, it can be a bit overwhelming, but it's a good start! Give it a listen, you won't be disappointed!

from Decemebr 24th (single) (******** records, tokyo COCA-50429)
available on CD - December 24th (******** records, tokyo)



Portland, Oregon  performed by Loretta Lynn featuring Jack White  2004
Recommended by xfanatic50 [profile]

Incredible. Loretta Lynn's incredible and powerful voice carries over the fuzzy distortion and wailing guitars in a song that is sexy, mysterious and gorgeous. Jack White once again proves his brilliance as a guitarist, while his vocals sound perfect when put up against Loretta's. An amazing duet.

from Van Lear Rose (Interscope)



Powder to the People  performed by Dance Gavin Dance
Recommended by woahsandywtf [profile]

I absolutely love this band and this is one of my favorite tracks. Jonny Craig is amazing btw, check him out.




Prisencolinensinainciusol  performed by Adriano Celentano -  1972
Recommended by moondog [profile]

I can´t remember the last time i was so instantly blown away by a tune as i heard this song by italian actor/singer Adriano Celentano. Prisencolinensinainciusol may sound a bit goofy to some ears but to these ears at least it sounds nearly as infectious as the first time i heard garra" by marcos valle.

Tom jones meets eminem meets bollywood in seventies italy would be one apt description of the tune. Go to; youtube.com/watch?v=FcUi6UEQh00 to see the amazing videoclip of the tune.

oh, and can anyone recommend anything similarly good by adriano ?

from Nostal Rock (CGD)


public image  performed by public image limited  1979
Recommended by callgirlscene [profile]

PiL's first single (from 1979, just after the Sex Pistols broke up) has this big drum sound, new for it's time as far as I know. It still kills today. Same for the bass. And ecstatic lead guitar makes this one of those punk rock anthems. One amazing trio of instrumentalists back up a sneering Lydon, who sure hadn't used up all his ideas & talent in the Sex Pistols.

from Are you Ready for Public Image, available on CD



  penelope_66: i love that song--the bass line!...but am not fortunate enough to have the 1st record. i'm also a big fan of "poptones" off their second edition lp.
Pyramid Song  performed by Radiohead  2001
Recommended by space [profile]

An elegantly surreal trip through a dream world. Although this song has only eight lines (repeated twice), it manages to say an amazing amount within that short frame. Thom Yorke's wavering vocals and the slow and simple piano instrumentation strip the song down to its fundamental elements, allowing Radiohead's talent to shine through. From "I jumped in the river, what did I see" to "There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt," this is an amazing song. Every time I listen to it, it gives me a deeper sense of peace.

from Amnesiac



  CEEMOBILE: Good following in the tradition of radioheads style
Radio Orchid  performed by Fury in the Slaughterhouse  1993
Recommended by Vagina Man [profile]

The music itself is sort of like a darker Live, the group Live. Fury.. really didn't catch on to the alternative scene but that doesn't take away from its amazing music. Radio Orchid is by far their best song, melodic and serene. This song will make you want to buy their album. The voclas are a soothing mix to its already unique sound. It both relaxes and invigorates the soul. Hey if the song can't get to your soul then its just not that good. Also the lyrics play a big part in the song, not only are they good but they make you think. This was their second and last album, and eventhough they are relativley unknown, they are still alternative kings in my eyes.

from Mono (RCA)



  meatball: that is fuckin gay! damn!
Re-education through labor  performed by rise against
Recommended by TheGoodLeftUndone [profile]

The lyrics are amazing. It always puts me in a fighting mood.




Rei do Carnaval  performed by Ivan Lins  1974
Recommended by Festy [profile]

Ivan Lins is a prolific song-writer, with his songs being covered by many artists from Brazil and beyond. Chances are you would've heard one of his songs before as they've been covered by names such as Sarah Vaughan, George Benson and Mark Murphy to name a few. This track is the opener from his debut 1974 album 'Modo Livre'. The CD reissue doesn't list the musicians on the album but it sounds like Sivuca singing parts in this - if not, I'm sure he was an influence. I like the way this song shifts from a feeling of happiness to a moment of 'concern' (not sure how to describe it, but that's how I hear it) in a single chord change only to return to its originally feeling. At the end there are some swells on the strings that just do something to my insides. Amazing how something so simple and fleeting can have such an impact.

from Modo Livre, available on CD



Rest in Peace  performed by Chad & Jeremy  196?
Recommended by konsu [profile]

An amazing trippy piece of social commentary, from their genius concept LP. The opening track, and it goes all over the place with this completely mad arrangement by Chad Stuart, and produced by Gary Usher (of "Pet Sounds" fame). The track seems to pertain to mortality, and the sad truth of time and the forgotten... It sets the tone for the whole album, which seems inspired by atmosphere of the time, when singles were exchanged for huge concept pieces, more likely due to the success of "Sgt. Peppers" and the like, but taking a much more delightfully cynical view! A sometimes overlooked part of the britpop puzzle, Chad and Jeremy are full of surprises.

from Of Cabbages & Kings, available on CD


Ride the Lighting  performed by Metallica
Recommended by nflnba88 [profile]

This song is a very traditional sounding Metallica song: deep pitched, unique guitar riffs combined with the amazing lyrics and voice of James Hetfield, as well as the consistent, strong drum beat of Lars Ulrich. Truly an amazing song.

from Ride the Lightning


Ripple  performed by The Church  1990
Recommended by dsalmones [profile]

The lead single from one of the Church's all time highs, the dark, powerful Priest Aura, "Ripple" was much like the album it came from - lengthy, with an emphasis on artistic impact rather than radio-friendly ease, charged with a feeling of impending, unnerving threat. The initial guitar chime and Steve Kilbey's singing may provide a familiar feeling for long-time listeners, but the edge of spite and conflict in the words carries through in the performance - Kilbey's not so much blending into the mix as suddenly slicing through it. The full arrangement almost has a touch of film noir threat to it, but not as much as the amazing chorus. Starting with a soft, almost sighed overdubbed vocal part like a mysterious signal, it literally does ripple up in the mix, sneaking up on the listener instead of turning into any kind of a singalong. It's the same approach as with "Under the Milky Way," but the air here is less elegant melancholia and more unsettling electric charge, extra guitar feedback carving arcs through the arrangement, instrumental breaks providing only short, temporary relief.
(AMG)

from Priest=Aura, available on CD


Roses  performed by RPWL  2005
Recommended by homebythesea [profile]

This prog rock song is just truely amazing. I am yet to find someone who finds the soft melodic nature of it displeasing. I'd recomend it to anyone, enjoy...

from World Through My Eyes, available on CD


roses in the snow  performed by Nico  1969
Recommended by belphegor [profile]

wow, i mean: wow... i've been an avid nico lover for years, having acquired a deep appreciation of her via some claimed proto-goth associations. obscure subcultural praise and all that velvet underground hoop-la aside, her amazing "desertshore" was proof enough that nico was and is a uniquely powerful force in life and art. but this "roses in the snow" diddy just floored me on a first listen. the revolving, minimalist tune of her harmonium must be the loneliest, most disillusioned harmony ever played since "gloomy sunday," and the cryptically profound words the closest thing rock'n'roll ever got to the "book of job." what does this piece really mean to say? not sure really: but somehow, i think it might be something like re-reading a long-departed lover's suicide note on a warm, languid autumn day...

from the marble index, available on CD


Say it right  performed by Nelly Furtado  2007
Recommended by Issie [profile]

Another well thought out song by Nelly Furtado. She is an amazing artist who does many different genres of music.

from Loose


Set fire to the third bar  performed by snow patrol and martha wainwright
Recommended by Issie [profile]

I love the way that this song builds up I tihnk its really amazing I love it!! You have to listen to it




Shacking Pop  performed by Janko Nilovic
Recommended by mr_klenster [profile]

Yet another testament to the genius of this much slept on wonder. I have yet to hear an Janko Nilovic song without an initially intriguing introduction, incredible structure, and amazing breakdowns. Shacking Pop is not one of Nilovic's most complex, however the throbbing bass, raging fuzz guitar, and clarity of the drums make this a winner.





Shadowplay  performed by The Killers  2007
Recommended by Ketori [profile]

Original song by Joy Division. This cover is so amazing. Very, very well done. All Joy Division fans should like it!


available on CD - Sawdust


Sleeping Sickness  performed by City and Colour
Recommended by DeadPuppet [profile]

The song is performed by Dallas Green (City and Colour, Alexisonfire). its an acoustic song with short moments of quiet drums. This song is amazing and great to just kick back and listen to when something has you pissed off or down in the dumps. Definitely a must to listen to.

from Bring me your love


Slide Show  performed by Travis  1999
Recommended by xfanatic50 [profile]

A beautiful, stripped-down acoustic ballad, the final song on Travis' finest album. This song has one of the most amazing chorus' I've ever heard, a comment on the messages of music in life: "There is no design for life/There's no devil's haircut in my mind/There is not a wonderwall to climb or step around" Smart, and lovely.

from The Man Who (Sony)


Solar Winds  performed by Devin Townsend  2007
Recommended by MightyMetMan [profile]

An absolutely amazing song that spans many many many genres including ambient, metal, rock, and all out wackiness. Truly gives a great idea of the depth and breadth of Devin Townsend's genius.

from Ziltoid The Omniscient!
available on CD - Ziltoid the Omniscient!


Some Velvet Morning  performed by Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazelwood  1968
Recommended by parlop [profile]

Amazing and Peacefully Disturbing... a true beauty of a song.





  olli: This song was what first got me hooked on lee hazlewood, many years ago....the weirdest composition ever to be a mainstream pop hit,surely. check out slowdive's ultra spacey version, btw.
  parlop: oh, i've heard it... i still like the original best.
  Bazz: Primal Scream's version > Slowdive version.
Somewhere in Between  performed by Lifehouse  2001
Recommended by izumi [profile]

I think this is likely to be one of those songs you might accidentally come across on the radio or in a movie soundtrack, you don't know who performs it and you don't care because it just takes you in when you listen to it. You can't use words like "amazing" or "breathtaking" to describe it. It's just simple and beautiful and you'll love it if you like slow-paced songs with a acoustic guitar melody that sound really dreamy and wonderful.

from No Name Face (Dreamworks 4503382)


Sorry for laughing  performed by Josef K  1981
Recommended by delicado [profile]

Genius strumming and amazing vocals. I have to confess that the first thing that occurred to me when I heard this, other than how brilliant it is, was the sudden realisation that The Wedding Present were not a very original band. Not only that, but they were vastly inferior to Josef K.

From what I've heard, this is probably the Josef K song that most emphasizes the 'mega-fast strumming' thing that they had going on (sorry - I'm not very eloquent today!). It's just an incredibly catchy, brilliantly executed single that just sounds otherworldly to me.





  Blueboy: Their debut LP 'The Only Fun In Town' on Postcard Records is an absolute gem. Full on 60's garage band production with spiny guitars and frantic beats. Long live 'The Sound Of Young Scotland'!
Speed Trials  performed by Elliott Smith  199?
Recommended by Open Book [profile]

His choice of lifestyle may have been questionable, yes. A prolific user of drugs and prostitutes, Elliot Smith was certainly not a healthy man physically or mentally toward the end of his life. What isn't questionable is the fact that Elliot Smith was an amazing, soulful, passionate musician. I don't really know why I picked Speed Trials. I suppose it's my personal favorite.
Suicide is a subject that always baffles me, and nothing hurts more to see a man with such beautiful music in his soul gone... especially at such a young age. What we do have, however, are the recordings of his maticulously constructed chord progressions, his sweet, wispy voice, and gorgeously poetic lyrics. Pieces of history we can all forever hold onto and remember him for how he may have affected each of our lives. I know his music certainly had an impact on mine. I will miss Elliott Smith.

from Either/Or, available on CD



  delphiblue: "a prolific user of drugs and prostitutes..." ??? sure, okay, we all know that he used drugs, but that prostitutes thing is entirely new to me. is there actual proof of this, or can one just assume that having sex with prostitutes is a natural progression from using drugs?
  delicado: Ok - I just deleted a couple of comments from here because someone disobeyed my 'be nice' rule. First time I've had to do that in nearly 6 years! I dunno - if it's not spammers it's nutcases! Sorry you were bothered by this, Open Book...
Speeding Cars  performed by Imogen Heap
Recommended by samantha33 [profile]

amazing




Story Of a Girl  performed by Nine Days  2000
Recommended by Carrie [profile]

And while she looks so sad in photographs,
I absolutely love her, when she smiles


Amazing lyrics.


from The Madding Crowd, available on CD


Sunken City  performed by Les Baxter  1961
Recommended by nighteye [profile]

This is one of Baxters best songs, although there are many incredible Les Baxter pieces, this one really stands out from the rest. The title 'Sunken City' is perfect, you really feel like you are floating in the bright blue ocean, searching for a lost city. The instruments Baxter chose for this song are interesting; oboes, a haunting choir along with some vibraphones and piano chords, the result is however amazing.
Listen to this song late at night with the lights dimmed.

from Jewels of the Sea (Capitol)
available on CD - Exotic Moods of Les Baxter



Surfs Up  performed by The Beach Boys  1966
Recommended by Ganesha [profile]

Possibly the most beautiful and complex pop song ever written. This is the apex of Brians foray into modular music. Loved by Bernstein and McCartney. This song will take you years to sink in. Perfect. I have heard some amazing versions he has done of this equally as powerful.

from Surfs Up


Suzy  performed by Caravan Palace
Recommended by Gimpsters [profile]

I just found Caravan Palace a while ago. They're amazing! They play a mix of gypsy swing and dance techno with some jazz thrown in there and a little bit of hip hop sprinkled over top.
This track is great because it showcases all their influences. Also the guy scatting over the song is awesome!

from Caravan Palace, available on CD


sway of the verses  performed by Talvin Singh  2001
Recommended by Siobhan [profile]

Sound builds using funky indian beat into an amazing primal but mesmerising layers of rhythmn.
Resist if you can !

from Ha


Sweet Mary  performed by Chris Velan
Recommended by brogers45 [profile]

Amazing song.




Sweet Susan  performed by Ennio Morricone  1972
Recommended by eftimihn [profile]

You probably wouldn't expect an amazing easy listening track by Morricone on a western soundtrack i guess, but that's what you get here. Except for the harmonica intro this is pure Morricone lounge and it features the most delicate use of a muted, toned down trumpet sound one can imagine. The way it's gently built up is just fantastic and it surely can make your hair raise, it's so subtly but overwhelmingly performed. After the harmonica there's piano chords fading in, then the song kicks off with subtle strings in the background and with a midtempo drumbeat. Wonderful melody, after a while the strings start to crescend leading into a swirl and a harpsicord is added in the right places. This track just melts in your ears like italian ice cream in the sun. Another gem by Ennio, the song was even issued as a single in Italy in 1972, together with "Sonny", recommended elsewhere on musicaltaste.

from La Banda J. & S. (CAM CSE 050)
available on CD - CAM (CSE 050)




  dominb: Yes, this song, hidden away on the "La Banda J & S" soundtrack is quintessential Morricone, it is truly sublime. One of the joys of Morricone is discovering tracks like this given his overwhelming output so thankyou for pointing this song out.
That's All I Ask  performed by Jeff Buckley  1995
Recommended by Mojo Pin [profile]

This is such an amazingly beautiful version of this song. It was originally done by Nina Simone, but Jeff's cover makes it sound like an entirely different song. His voice is incredibly captivating, especially on this live track.

from Mystery White Boy (Columbia)


The Funeral  performed by Greg Edmonson
Recommended by Nori [profile]

Mourning the death of the show more than the doublecrossing character's body being taken to his family, this song was beautiful, no other words. Another great song was also at a funeral scene (for a much more admirable character), a unique and memorable version of 'Amazing Grace'. Other notable music from Firefly is 'Inside The Tam House' and 'Early Takes Serenity'.


available on CD - Firefly - The Complete Score


The Highwayman  performed by Loreena McKennitt
Recommended by xicanti [profile]

I almost always cry when I'm listening to this one. McKennitt's voice is amazing, and I think she's done wonderful things with all the poetry she's adapted to music. This one in particular really speaks to me; she's made me feel the poem in ways that I never could while just reading it.

from The Book of Secrets


The Letter  performed by The Arbors  196?
Recommended by konsu [profile]

Man! Out of all the dollar-bin records i've bought in the last six months this one takes the prize. Amazing vocal pop ala' Harpers Bizarre or The Vogues, but more like the latter, due to the sheer genius production and selection of material.

This is a song by the great Box Tops that gets played all over your local "oldies" radio station, only made more superior with better production and beat. It has that misty sunshine appeal of HB, with cooed almost whispered verses, but then takes it higher with their own trademark choir-loft harmonies and effects. It supersedes the original by a longshot, bringing together sly shuffles and baroque arcs of genius.

The album has too many great versions to mention, but look for a review on their version of The Doors "Touch Me" coming soon, with a clip.

A must for fans of HB, Classics IV, Association, Cyrkle etc.

from The Arbors (Date TES 4017)



  delicado: yeah, this one has been on my list to recommend for a while. Superb stuff!
  artlongjr: I used to hear this song back in the early 70's, I didn't know who it was back then but it did get airplay. This group's first hit I really like and recommend, it's called "Symphony for Susan" and came out in 1966.
The March of the Black Queen  performed by Queen  1974
Recommended by Ozmala [profile]

This is an amazing song. Even if you hate it, it's amazing. It sounds evil, and glorious, scary, and ecstatic, all so quickly and powerfully. I don't know how to describe how it sounds, other than a tad insane. And beautiful.

from Queen II (Hollywood Records)


The Messiah Will Come Again  performed by Gary Moore
Recommended by sixstringman [profile]

Written by Roy Buchanan (the world's greatest unknown guitarist; not my words)and covered by Gary Moore, the guitar work by Gary Moore (formerly of Thin Lizzy)is amazing and can be seen on one of the Gary Moore DVD compilations at Montreaux.




The music played  performed by Matt Monro  1968
Recommended by mattias [profile]

Woe, these string arrangements is way too much wich make this song lovely song amazing, very close to pathetic and still great. The sentimental lyrics "when I lost you love the music playd..." sung with Monros deep sinatra-like voice is thrilling, and again, the strings, the strings...




The Riviera Affair  performed by Neil Richardson  1969
Recommended by nighteye [profile]

Amazing song from the 1960's blending powerful luscious strings with a fast paced catchy melody. One might think that you have landed in the middle of a international crime affair in the French Riviera. Would work amazingly good as a theme-song for a TV-series (maybe it has been used that way already?)


available on CD - The Sound Gallery (Scamp)



The world is outside  performed by The Ghosts  2007
Recommended by Issie [profile]

I love this song because its got a good beat to it and this makes it really catchy. I think the verses are a bit boring and repetive, but the chorus is amazing!




There She Goes  performed by The La’s
Recommended by poly800rock [profile]

Amazing pop song, no if ands or buts. Period.




things we said today  performed by sandpipers  196x
Recommended by olli [profile]

i'm really starting to get into the sandpipers nowadays because of their amazingly clear, fluid sound. great 60s vocal pop song, this. flute, soft strings and some sweet understated harpsichord (or some electronic instrument) playing in the background. the bassline and percussion gives it a slight italian 60's soundtrack vibe. i love how it seems to constantly change its mood, epecially when it returns to form after the first flute part. there's even a bit in there that sounds like syd barret...





This Is What She’s Like  performed by Dexys Midnight Runners
Recommended by LawrenceM [profile]

Am amazing song ... 14 minutes of pure passion. I think Kevin Rowland is one of the few singers of the past few decades who has real soul. The man MEANS IT and this song just makes my soul soar. The way it starts off with the dialogue, and the accapala singing, and then how the band just kicks in at the same moment, and your heartbeat just rises, and keeps on rising as Kevin just takes the songer higher and higher ... and sevem minutes in, just when you think it's going to finally finish, it changes completely and runs on for another seven minutes. I always feel exhasted after the song has ended ... it's such an emotional rush.

from Don't Stand Me Down, available on CD


Times Like These (Acoustic)  performed by Foo Fighters  2002
Recommended by xfanatic50 [profile]

The original song is amazing, but the acoustic version is better. Dave Grohl's voice is put to a great use here. The song is stripped down, made quieter and more powerful in acoustic form. Very very beautiful.





Timorous Me  performed by Ted Leo & The Pharmacists  2001
Recommended by popgoestheculture [profile]

Beautiful crunchy guitar pop to Irish dance music, all in the same song. An amazing song, great album.

from The Tyranny of Distance, available on CD


To Put Up With You  performed by The Sandpipers  1968
Recommended by eftimihn [profile]

Late 60s mellow sunshine pop with amazing vocal harmonies, composed by the legendary Roger Nichols with lyrics written by his long-time partner Paul Williams. A very gentle, breezy and light tune, due to excellent arrangement/production by Nick DeCaro and Tommy LiPuma with a delicately sounding trumpet playing the main melody. Like many Nichols songs, it's soft and mellow while being full of longing and melancholia at the same time.

from Softly (A&M)



Trzeba Wracać  performed by Novi Singers  1967
Recommended by delicado [profile]

Listening again to a compilation I made almost four years ago, I heard this magical track, which really had a big effect on me. It's probably not for everyone. Meandering and rather wistful, it's not at all funky like some of their later work, but I find it utterly compelling.

As you might have heard, Novi Singers were an incredibly talented quartet of vocal singers recording in Poland in the late 60s and 70s. They did several amazing records. This is taken from what I think was their first, Bossa Nova. But rather than renderings of songs like 'One note samba' and 'Desafinado', the album consists of a delightful and varied collection of originals in a related mood. The result is like bossa nova from a parallel, slightly more melancholic universe.

The accompaniment is a slow, gentle bossa played by a small jazz group, with some rich strings dropping in and out, and the vocals (all wordless/scat) take centre stage. The chord sequence is staggeringly beautiful, and at times the vocalists take slightly extravagant scat solos.

It sounds strange to say it, but this is really one of those tracks that seems to tell an enormous, emotional story, in spite of the fact that it doesn't contain one word! It would make a fantastic soundtrack to a silent movie.

from Bossa Nova (Polskie Nagrania)
available on CD - Bossa Nova/Torpedo (Polskie Nagrania)



  delicado: just to reiterate, this IS the best song ever!
un poison voilent, c�est ca l�amour  performed by serge gainsbourg
Recommended by olli [profile]

this is possibly the oldest hip hop track i�ve heard... nice 60�s instrumentation, though the track feels surprisingly modern. cool repetive structure, really nice delivery of the lines, great rythm. amazing song to put on at parties. i love it.


available on CD - comic strip



Under Control  performed by The Strokes  2003
Recommended by xfanatic50 [profile]

The timing and the rhythms on this song always blow my mind. Julian Casablanca's slurred, lazy voice drips of heartache and underneath him are these incredible layers of guitar and drums. Dense and slow and sloppy, but somehow still precise. This song is very urban. It is grime, and hopelessness and laziness, all at once. The best track on an amazing album, and proof that they deserved all the hype.

from Room on Fire



Við spilum endalaust  performed by Sigur Ros  2008
Recommended by myrkur [profile]

Amazing song. I can listen this all day!

from Me� Su� � Eyrum Vi� Spilum Endalaust


Villains  performed by Nothingface  1998
Recommended by Vagina Man [profile]

Villians is another one of those songs that sticks in your mind and has you bobbing your head without even realizing it. The hard crunching guitars sink to the bottom of your soul, and just as you feel yourself grooving the crazy vocals come together with the unbelievable drum beat and form a rythm that just screams MOSH!!! Although the song is amazing the mixing is what brings out its strength. At each second you feel yourself connected to the song then it changes up and goes slow, and in a few seconds builds up to a beat that gets you so pumped you feel like fliping tables. If you ever need a song to get out some aggresiion I definitely recommend this one.

from An Audio Guide to Everday Atrocity (Mayhem Records)


We Dance  performed by Pavement  1995
Recommended by phil [profile]

I get the impression that even a lot of Pavement fans don't know this one very well, presumably because it's on a pretty duff album (wowee zowee). However, it's one of my absolute favourite pavement songs. Musically it is very quiet - it's essentially just an acoustic guitar, though the funny noises the band make are quite entertaining. However, I really love the structure: there's nothing that can be called a verse or a chorus there - he just rambles on until he is finished. It has the full extent of Pavement's lyrics - completely ridiculous, funny, and sometimes very moving. Plus, as ever, malkmus' weirdy voice is a joy to listen to. So, if you like the pavement style - slow, quirky, funny, and often amazingly beautiful musically, and you don't know this one, you should really look into it. There's a brilliant solo version of it you can get off Napster (legally - Pavement distribute this stuff) - search for "we dance acoustic" - means you don't have to cough up for the album too.

from Wowee Zowee, available on CD




  karlmort: this one has been among my fave pavement albums since it came out. this album has some stand out tracks like grounded , fight this generation and we dance. there is also a rare version of this song on a 7". it was released prior to wowee zowee.
  your_namesake: absolutely love this track. can't agree with you on wowee zowee though, i think that's a brilliant album...
Wedding Dress  performed by Derek Webb  2003
Recommended by 37piecesflair [profile]

A song about the Christian faith and how it's convienent for some, but crucial to others.

I just discovered this and think it is amazing. I'm not spiritual by any means, but I think it states my feelings.

The chorus says it all..

"I am a whore, I do confess, I put you on you like a wedding dress."

from She Shall and Must Be Free


Wet Sand  performed by Red hot chili peppers
Recommended by eevas86 [profile]

This song is just amazing. I love it! I love the sound of the song, I love the voice of Kiedis, I love it.




What Have You Done?  performed by Motion Soundtrack  2003
Recommended by SOYA [profile]

This song is amazing! The guitar is haunting, Marc Wild is the Sh#t! I especially love the lyrics. "futhermore falling and never quite landing, your seeing with eyes closed, your dreams". What have you done is a master piece. Chad Horton ( the lead signer)AMAZING! Beautifully talented band, DON'T MISS OUT, CHECK THEM OUT!

from THE BRIDGE, available on CD


What You Want  performed by My Bloody Valentine
Recommended by poly800rock [profile]

The wall of sound covering an amazing pop song is apparent in this gem from My Bloody Valentine.




When Dreams Turn to Dust  performed by Cathy Dennis  1997
Recommended by Genza [profile]

Cathy Dennis' music is predominantly rubbish. As UK residents know, she is now the writer behind much of the teeny crap that fills the top 40 singles chart every week. But When Dreams Turn to Dust shines like a beacon amongst a fog of blandness. I bought the single for 50 pence from a charity shop in 2000. I thought I'd paid too much. I was wrong.

I was out of work at the time and looking for a job. Dennis' masterpiece is the sound of those crazy job-search days - there was a good two week period when I listened to this song continually. Hard times economically - even tougher times on the turntable...

The song has a king of warped Beatles/Byrds quality. And an amazing minor chord chorus. To top it all, she shifts the whole chorus up an octave in the final eight or so bars and kills the listener with a repetitive and insistent refrain.

Convinced by its majesty, I then bought one of her dance albums from a car boot sale for �1. Never has money been so well intentionally spent and inevitably wasted.




Where is my mind?  performed by Pixies  1988
Recommended by delicado [profile]

I still find this song as compelling as I did ten years ago. It's simple, crisp, and beautiful, opening with an other-worldly high-pitched vocal hum which is soon joined by a picked electric guitar sound and some tight drums. It's really nothing like anything else I like, but somehow the shouted vocals and indie-rock setting really appeal to me on this track. One of 20 or 30 songs which transport me back to my late teens amazingly vividly.

from Surfer Rosa, available on CD



who needs forever  performed by astrud gilberto  1966
Recommended by coffman [profile]

This exceptionally haunting and lyrical song by Quincy Jones has received its definitive interpretion by Astrud Gilberto with arrangement and accompaniment by the Brazilian organist Walter Wanderley. The melancholy urgency of the piece resonates well with the dark/sad tonality that pervades so much of Bossa Nova music, though its character is also reminiscent of certain otherwise very different pieces from the bebop era, which had a formative influence on Quincy Jones' music. There is definitely the remote influence of Charlie Parker and especially Dizzy Gillespie. It's truly a completely unique piece. The drifting melody which seems to skirt over the chord changes has a beautiful inevitability. Only a very gifted and skilled musician could have contrived such a beautiful work. So Quincy Jones deserves especial credit for crafting this song from the film "The Deadly Affair."

Astrud's delivery, so typically limpid and restrained, only serves to heighten the intensity of this darkly passionate song. The subtle but somehow fierce organ playing of Walter Wanderley acheives a sizzling romanticism that perfectly complements the reading of Astrud's apparently detached fatalism.

In my opinion, this track is a true musical masterpiece. Its remarkable economy of means is a testament to the skill of the composer as well as the artistry of the performers. In fact, it's a nearly perfect combination of expressive means and poetic intent. The beautiful resolution, with Astrud's perfect striking of the high B-flat over the half-diminished F-minor seventh, is a moment of sublime dramatic intensity, though profoundly understated, as is typical of her finest artistic moments. One is reminded of Miles Davis. Her poetic skill is rooted in subtlety.

I have listened to this extraordinary track hundreds of times, and always experienced chills rising up on the back of my neck. How amazing that this incredible musical gem was omitted from the original album A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness. Perhaps it was too intense, too heavy; whatever the case, it's a truly remarkable piece of music.

I'm truly grateful to have discovered this great albeit minor musical masterpiece. There's really nothing else quite like it! The sizzling but subtle sensitivity of the rhythm section (Claudio Slon on drums, possibly Joao Gilberto on guitar and Jose Marino on bass) adds an intensity to the piece which helps project the almost existential tone of the song.

I'm really swept away by this obscure and neglected work, which attains -- for me at least -- to a peak of poetic intensity really rare in music. As is usual with Astrud at her best, it accomplishes its artistic ends with what seems like the most minimal of means. But subtlety is always the avenue to the most profound of artistic experiences. I think this is a remarkable example -- one of the greatest -- of the wedding of popular music and high art. It is a truly perfect performance. In my opinion, its greatness increases rather than diminshes with repeated listenings. There is only one word for that -- it's magic!

from A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness, available on CD



  rio: you must pick-up the quincy jones soundtrack (released with the score to "the pawnbroker") with astrud singing "who needs forever". The lush quincy jones score is hauntingly beautiful, and astrud never sounded better. This version is the real deal for me..
  rferus: Amazing guitar on this piece.
Wicked Little Town  performed by Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Recommended by gingerninja [profile]

Great Musical. Great songs. This song reminds me of how i grew up in a small nasty town. All the songs in the show are amazing, watch the film.....

from Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Cast Recording


Wrong Again  performed by Louise Setara  2006
Recommended by chipster [profile]

Amazing new song from brand new artist from the UK. This is the new Mariah Carey meets Alicia Keys folks - you heard it here first!!!

from Still Waters (Manhattan/Blue Note)


X&Y  performed by ColdPlay  2005
Recommended by mellocello [profile]

My favorite song on their new album, all of which was good. I actually had the good fortune to see them when they came to Va Beach, amazing show, they opened with Square One, the first song on X&Y silouhetted by a huge light screen counting down time, it was truly amazing. This was the song on the album i had to listen to till i got sick enough of it to listen to the rest of the album.

from X&Y (Capitol Records)


y-control  performed by yeah yeah yeahs
Recommended by licoricewhipped [profile]

amazing.




Yellow  performed by Coldplay  2000
Recommended by izumi [profile]

I don't think this song needs an introduction because love or hate Coldplay, most people should know this song by now. It's their most famous anthem, and is a truly beautiful song. The melody and harmonies sound amazing, and Chris Martin's vocals are really outstanding. The lyrics are really cool, and the guitar/bass sound great as well. And as I type, I'm 3 hours away from seeing them live at Crystal Palace! ^_^ Five out of five.

from Parachutes (Parlophone 5277832)


Yesterday  performed by Dick Hyman  1966
Recommended by tinks [profile]

I couldn't possibly say that this is the best version of the old MacLen chestnut (there are simply too many of them out there for me to ever hear them all), but it probably qualifies as one of the most original. Hyman's virtuoso keyboard skills were already quite reknowned, but on this album he tackled an entirely different animal...the harpsichord. On this track, he starts out using the harpsichord in a very conventional fashion, performing a baroque solo. About two-thirds of the way into the song, however, comes a drastic slowing of the tempo, the bass & drums come in and it mutates into a jazz trio arrangement! He even plays solos on the 'chord that make it sound like a Hammond organ...absolutely amazing!! Much of this album is rather difficult to listen to, but when it's good, it's sublime.

from Happening! (Command)


Yo Que No Vivo Sin Ti (You Don�t Have to Say You Love Me)  performed by Luis Miguel  1987
Recommended by RCA76 [profile]

Yet another amazing Spanish version of an amazing song. Luis Miguel is a very suave latin crooner and this song especially demonstrates that. I love the late 80's instrumentation, it reminds me of late night in New Year City.

from Soy Como Quiero Ser, available on CD


You Are the Generation That Bought More Shoes and You Get...  performed by Johnny Boy  2004
Recommended by Ricard [profile]

...What You Deserve

There wasn't enough room for the full title of this song.
Phil Spector Wall of Sound-influenced pop genius!!! Probably the best song of last year, & the Crews Against Consumisimo extended mix is, amazingly, even better.
Surpirsingly, this was produced by James Dean Bradfield from the Manics, though way better than anything they've ever done.
Good title as well.




Your Guardian Angel  performed by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Recommended by bluewatafrog342 [profile]

Acoustic/Punk Rock, I absolutely love this song because of the way it is starts so smooth and slow and then gradually erupts into an amazing finish. It also has great lyrics and a story to it.

from Don't You Fake It


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