First song that popped into my head was Broken Vow by Lara Fabian. She is french so she might have a french rendition as well as english.
Her passion makes this song special. Her voice has incredible range and musicality is great but yeah she adds a special element. Puts herself into her music.. also I believe she wrote it.
There is Barbra Striesand’s I think it’s going to rain today. It came out in her new record Release me. (A compliation of tunes she recorded but never released) And is imperfect and simple. Yet it is lovely and evocative. If you prefer a more polished product Norah Jones had a rendition I liked too.
Billie Holiday’s signature song Strange Fruit. It is about racism bitter and comes from a place of pain. Yet it is captivating. I don’t really enjoy her recordings as much as her live songs.. She has a few good Carneige Hall recordings.
Michael Buble I love his pop big band versatility, voice and charisma. He is influenced by many greats, too many really. But I like his Haven’t met you yet. That was the song that motivated me listen to learn more about him and his music.
There is Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing compares to you. This song is just a gorgeous illustration of her talent. I love it…
Sigh I knew I shouldn’t have opened this thread.
Have fun.