The Top Ten Most Beautiful Songs Ever Written (According to a 14 year old girl)
I consider myself a total music junkie. I play multiple instruments and talk about it incessantly. I fall asleep listening to the instrumental tracks of my favorite songs every night. I am not normal about music- which is why I decided to take a crack at the songs I personally believe are the most beautiful songs ever written. This isn’t necessarily my favorites, just the ones I think are the most beautiful in terms of sound and lyrics and vocals. This is going to be very basic, but I can’t help it. So, bear with me here.
10- Yesterday by The Beatles
Listen, I don’t even love The Beatles that much (despite being named after one of their songs), but every time this song plays I feel like melting down to the floor. It’s so simple- there isn’t a lot going on in the background, some light guitar and maybe harmonica, I can’t really tell- but that somehow ads to the depth of Paul McCartney’s voice, making it a total powerhouse of a song.
9- The Winner Takes It All by ABBA
Okay, but would it really be a list of mine without some ABBA? For anybody who isn’t in the know, I am obsessed with 70s and 80s music, especially European 70s and 80s music, and even though I don’t listen to a lot of ABBA casually on a day to day basis, they have a ton of songs that are in my top 30 and top 50, because when ABBA wants to make you cry, they can do it. This song is so depressing, which is definitely a theme amongst these ten songs. A vast majority are about a lost love, this is just one of the great ones.
8- Silver Springs by Fleetwood Mac
Don’t TALK while Silver mfing Springs is playing! In the grand scheme of things, the live version of this song is probably in my top five favorite songs of all time. Stevie Nicks the woman you are! There’s a lot I could say about this, but I think you should just go listen to the song instead and then come back. Stroke of genius this song is.
7- Chiquitita by ABBA
Another ABBA song, Chiquitita was always one of my favorites growing up. This song was TikTok-ified a couple years ago for the piano at the end of it- “Silencio Bruno!” from Luca- but has always been a song I’ve appreciated for it’s theme and the composition on it. The background is so beyond beautiful and tear jerking.
6- Rocket Man by Elton John
Do you guys ever find one song and then you suddenly hear it everywhere? That’s me with Rocket Man. This has been one of my favorite songs for a few years now because I suddenly started hearing it everywhere. I know it’s a super popular song and I shouldn’t really be surprised to be hearing it a lot, but I mean this seriously I hear it everywhere. Once again, the lyrics are so beautiful and sad- this song has it’s points where it’s so sad and it’s points where its so happy, which is something I really value about it. I know I have years of time to plan, but when the day comes around this song will probably be somewhere on my wedding track list. Just you wait.
5- Wait For Me from Hadestown
You really thought I wasn’t going to slip a musical in here? Ha. I just learned about this song less than a month ago when I saw it on the West End, and it has CHANGED MY LIFE. The piano in the background is so insane and creepy while still being triumphant and the vocalists are so incredible- I didn’t understand this song until I saw it live, but then, oh my god. Hadestown, guys!
4- You’re On Your Own, Kid by Taylor Swift
Obviously this song has to make the list. There was a serious tie up about which Taylor Swift song should be in here, but at the end of the day it was always going to be this one. This song is so haunting and reflective and just overall brilliant. The second I heard the bridge I knew it was going to be one of my favorite songs forever. I also have a bit of a personal connection to it because Taylor obviously tapped into my psyche to get the inspiration for these lyrics.
3- Runaway by Kanye West
Nobody and I mean NOBODY knows separate the art from the artist like I do when Runaway by Kanye West starts playing. This might be THE song. I don’t understand how anybody can create such an incredible song, nonetheless Kanye West, but he did it and it is amazing. I don’t have to explain to you why this song is so beautiful because it’s obvious when you listen to it. This song and the number one spot are tied for my favorite song of all time.
2- Operator by Jim Croce
I’m finally straying away from the extremely basic with this pick. This is a song that runs in the family. It’s a song that’s been long loved by my dad and my grandparents. It’s such a beautiful song with incredible storytelling that’s heavy enough to make you extremely sad but light enough to not be overbearing. And then when you hear about Jim Croce and his death- GOOD LORD. ENOUGH TO MAKE A GROWN MAN CRY.
1- Waltz #2 (XO) by Elliott Smith
I have so many things I could say about this song. It sounds so raw and sad. I can’t even really express the acute melancholy of this song in words- it just undoubtedly is one of the most incredibly written songs ever. You just have to listen to it. It can be interpreted in so many different ways and can be played in so many different situations just like any good song should be. It’s one of those songs that you love so much but are too gut wrenching to listen to more than once a month. Further proof that Portlanders do it best!
