<p>Eva Cassidy’s rendition of “over the rainbow” is simply stunning [Eva</a> Cassidy - Somewhere Over the Rainbow - YouTube](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube)</p>
<p>Here’s another video
<a href=“Eva Cassidy Somewhere - YouTube”>Eva Cassidy Somewhere - YouTube; Her death at such an early age was such a loss</p>
<p>All of her songs are simply beautiful</p>
<p>For a prettier song, I am partial to a song I used to hear at my grandparents’ home --and not understand a word of it. I am not certain I get it all yet, but I might in the future: </p>
<p>[Jacques</a> Brel-Ne me quitte pas (Eng. Subtitles) - YouTube](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube)</p>
<p>Huge fan of both the Cohen and Buckley versions of Hallelujah and Verne’s Mad World.<br>
I’ve always loved the Stones As Tears Go By.<br>
Short but sweet is Old Friends by S & G.
Blackbird by the Beatles.
Friends by Elton John.
How Can I Tell You when he was Cat Stevens.
I’m sure I’ll think of others.</p>
<p>I really like the theme song from The Godfather:</p>
<p>[Andy</a> Williams’ Speak Softly, Love (from ‘The Godfather’) - YouTube](<a href=“Andy Williams' Speak Softly, Love (from 'The Godfather') - YouTube”>Andy Williams' Speak Softly, Love (from 'The Godfather') - YouTube)</p>
<p>And its instrumental version:</p>
<p>[The</a> Godfather Theme Song - YouTube](<a href=“The Godfather Theme Song - YouTube”>The Godfather Theme Song - YouTube)</p>
<p>And this (unusual) version (with thanks to Francis Ford Coppola):</p>
<p>[Contact</a> - YouTube](<a href=“Contact - YouTube”>Contact - YouTube)</p>
<p>^^ 
;)</p>
<p>xiggi, I love that song. Rod McKuen wrote it. Shirley Bassey does a heckuva job with that one too. Here is Dusty Springfield’s version</p>
<p>[Dusty</a> Springfield - If You Go Away - YouTube](<a href=“Dusty Springfield - If You Go Away - YouTube”>Dusty Springfield - If You Go Away - YouTube)</p>
<p>“Pie Jesu” by Sarah Brightman.</p>
<p>[Pie</a> Jesu - Sarah Brightman - YouTube](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube)</p>
<p>Actually Jaques Brel wrote Ne Me Quitte Pas, which Rod McKuen translated as If You Go Away, changing the meaning and the sense of desperation of the original.</p>
<p>Jaques Brel wrote many powerful songs. Amsterdam is one, and Madeline, with a very different feel, is another. </p>
<p>[Jacques</a> Brel - “Amsterdam” live - YouTube](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube)</p>
<p>jym, I was going to mention Eva Cassidy’s Somewhere Over the Rainbow. My other favorite is her haunting cover of Fields of Gold. Unfortunately, there’s no video of her performing this; just close your eyes. </p>
<p>[Eva</a> Cassidy - Fields Of Gold (The Original Montage 1996) Blues Alley Washington DC - YouTube](<a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube)</p>
<p>cartera45, I also love both the song and video of Gary Jules’ Mad World.</p>
<p>my favorite holiday song is Alison Moyet’s version of The Coventry Carol.</p>
<p>The Nearness of You, by Jo Stafford. </p>
<p>Compare her voice to what passes for popular singing today, with its vocal pyrotechnics and nasal tones.</p>
<p>Sarah Brightman, yes…but then operatic quality is the highest form of the human voice.</p>
<p>I wonder how much actual training today’s popular singers (non-operatic) endure – or even attempt!</p>
<p>Emotional and poignant but not “pretty” – For All We Know, by Billie Holiday.</p>
<p>Another is – You Better Go Now (the later of two versions she sang), also by Miss Holiday. It was part of the soundtrack of the film Rocket Gibraltar, with Burt Lancaster and a very young MaCauley Caulkins (sp).</p>
<p>The Sex Pistols, God Save The Queen?</p>
<p>Oh, I know, how about – Bring in the Sledgehammer, by Hairtrigger Ventiuno?</p>
<p>I second (or third) Eva Cassidy - any song that she sings.</p>
<p>I also like Adele:</p>
<p>Someone Like You</p>
<p>[Adele</a> - Someone Like You (Live in Her Home) - YouTube](<a href=“Adele - Someone Like You (Live in Her Home) - YouTube”>Adele - Someone Like You (Live in Her Home) - YouTube)</p>
<p>and</p>
<p>My One and Only</p>
<p>and …</p>
<p>Thanks to whoever mentioned Mary Chapin Carpenter; I need to add “Grand Central Station” (even though it makes me cry) to my ipod. </p>
<p>I am not a fan of all of her songs (some are just a tad too thoughtful) but there are many that I really like a lot.</p>
<p>Big Poppa by NY’s own Notorious BIG.</p>
<p>In all seriousness, Big Poppa was a huge talent. Still sad all these many years later.</p>
<p>For songs that make me cry I would add Millworkers Daughter by James Taylor although * big surprise* I prefer Eddie Vedders version.</p>