To ask which songs stopped you in your tracks the first time heard you them?

[AngeloMysterioso]

Was listening to some music today and after my playlist was finished Spotify went off on its own little algorithm-y journey, and I suddenly found myself listening to a song so beautiful I had it on repeat for about an hour. That sort of thing happens to me very rarely, so I thought I’d see if anyone else could recommend songs that have struck them in a similar way.

I can remember exactly where I was when I first heard it. It was at a really lame house party and I was coming down the stairs from the loo and I literally stopped in my tracks to listen

Yes - McAlmont & Butler.
Hungry Heart - Bruce Springsteen
Some Fantastic Place - Squeeze

Same with The Smiths. I just try not to think too hard about the latest incarnation of Morrissey.

Came here to say exactly this.

Lovesong for me. Set my music taste on a seriously different trajectory from NKOTB.

Another vote for Wuthering Heights- like nothing I’d ever heard before

Arithmetic--Brooke Fraser
All I Want is You--U2
English Summer Rain (single version), Because I Want You, Running Up That Hill (Placebo)
Without You (during a tough time)--Avicii
Move Your Body--Sia
Welcome Home--Dave Dobbyn
1000 Goodbyes--Captain Tractor
Of the Night--Bastille
Delirium--Ladyhawke
Rororo--Monsters and Men
Roxette--Spending My Time and June Afternoon
Minun Kaupunkini--Zen Cafe
Hunger, Only if For a Night, Free, Sympathy Magic, Ship to Wreck--Florence and the Machine

And most profoundly Choreomania by Florence. I was walking along the street in London in 2022 after years of not being able to travel, and kind of feeling I would never see London again. For personal reasons, Florence had strong associations with the last time I had been in London, and that song...just undid me. I stood in the street sobbing, I was so glad to be back, and so sad at the things that were lost along the way.

Weak by skunk anansie

The River - Johnny Flynn and Laura Marling

I love Bob Dylan. Around 2006 I saw him live, and could barely make out which song was which :)

Must Be Santa by Bob Dylan. That song is something else 😂

Like Jesus to a Child by George Michael.

And more...

Remedy by The Black Crowes
Most songs by Jefferson Airplane, absolutely none by Starship
Chelsea Girl by Ride
Thrown Down by Fleetwood Mac
Etherial by Lush
Most songs by the Monkees
Polaris/Miracle Legion - anything from the soundtrack to Pete and Pete
Time After Time (but only when Romy and Michele dance to it!)

So many! My friend made me a mix tape in my late teens after having a very sheltered upbringing, each one awakened such fantastic feelings. Newer ones I've almost always heard via my daughter's eclectic tastes!

Mayonnaise and Cherub Rock - smashing pumpkins
Aeroplane - RHCP
Everyone and My hero - Foo Fighters
Don't speak - no doubt
Sweet child - guns and roses
Wild ones - Suede
Someone like you - Adele
Back to friends - sombr
The scientist- Coldplay
Three little birds - Bob marley
Love story- Taylor swift
Moving - The Charlatans (can't stand them, but this song has ALWAYS been on the radio everytime I move)
Alive - Pearl Jam
Fake plastic trees and Creep - Radiohead

Lots, over the years! Some of which:

Woodstock - Joni Mitchell
I know what I like (in your wardrobe) - (early) Genesis
Louie Louie - Kingsmen
Dog Days Are Over - Florence and the Machine
Fool’s Gold - Stone Roses
Islands - The xx

'Love and Affection' Joan Armatrading
I was 17, in my first boyfriends car going to my house and it sent shivers down my spine... I can still see/feel that first hearing.

'Don't give up' Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel.

Likewise to all three. Also:

Sex Pistols, God Save The Queen
White Lines (Don’t Don’t Do It) Grandmaster Melle Mel
Atomic, Blondie
The Streets, Turn The Page

“A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri.

I had never heard it until this summer when I was grieving the loss of our Ddog. Goodness me, it broke my heart when I first heard it.
So much of it seemed to sum that time up perfectly.

We adopted a poor abused puppy a month ago and life is much brighter, but I still cannot hear that song without tears.

Goodbye to love - Karen carpenter

I generally don't like Adele but when i heard 'when we were young' I had a really strong emotional reaction, the beautiful lyrics and her emotive voice together game me an overwhelming sense of nostalgia, it made me ache.

Sunscreen Baz Luhrmann

I agree with The Sound of Silence, a beautiful song anyway but by Disturbed it’s breathtaking.
Forever Live and Die -OMD. Loved it the first time I heard it.
In Your eyes -Peter Gabriel
Song 6 -George Ezra
Wicked Game -Chris Isaak
The Beautiful Ones -Prince, although I’m sure it’s cursed!
Jealous Guy - Roxy Music
It’s all coming back to me - Celine Dion
Nothing compares 2 U - Sinead O’Connor
I drove all night - Roy Orbison.

and finally, Creep by Radiohead - perfect.

For All We Know - Nina Simone.

In case you haven't heard it...

I am a fan of ABBA and that song kills me too.

Taylor Swift's Bigger Than the Whole Sky made me cry the first time I heard it (and truly understand what a miscarriage must feel like).

Outro by M83. It was used as the theme music for the BBC's Versailles and was the best theme music EVER!