This question inspired my new profile quote, actually
I’m a music hound so it’s not all that rare for me to have songs that I must listen to and will stop everything for.
Mad About You Hooverphonic. Think Portishead without so much sad/angst. The strings are perfect and her voice is gorgeous. This video is also tremendous.
I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Sleater Kinney. This is a song to get pumped to and dance around with. I dare anyone who likes rocker girls to be able to sit still to it.
“D’Lovely” Dina Shore (I have this on 78— amazing) I can’t find any version online for free- just trust me it’s powerful in it’s beauty. You can hear her love shining through this song.
Love Me Or Leave Me Nina Simone. This jazz classic is beyond words. Her voice, the nuances she brings blows me away every time I listen to this song – and I’ve listened to it over 500 times on my new computer.
Cold Blooded Old Times by Smog. Simple in it’s delivery- it makes the lyrics even more powerful. This song is a wonderful way to show that songwriting can be done very lean and still be incredibly moving.
Moonshiner Uncle Tupelo. A song that haunts and will stay with the right person for the rest of their lives. Powerful simplicity again- but with a bit more meat to its bones.
Rabbit in your headlights UNKLE This video is disturbing beyond words, powerful, terrifying and never leaves you once you’ve seen it. The song is just as moving. This song is in the category of songs I don’t listen to often precisely because it is so powerful. Don’t watch this if you aren’t ready to be freaked out.
Joga Bjork. One of the most brilliant pieces she’s ever done. The scattered strings, sounds, melody that pulls together at just the right point to explode musically – then they drift out again, a musical tide. If you can find this in high quality download- get it and then put on your best headphones. This is a great song to study and deconstruct for anyone learning music theory/scoring/writing. Utterly powerful for her delivery and one of the few songs that I almost always find a new twist inside no matter how many times I listen to it- and I’m an auditory rolodex.