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.

Anne Shelton is the original singer of I’ll be Seeing You - and the one who made it famous. It’s really worth listening to the original.

@Aluna I did think it was originally done by Anne Shelton. She had a lovely voice.

Maybe already mentioned but I'd like to add:
Breathless by Nick Cave, beautiful in every way.
I know it's over by the smiths.
Nothing compares to u, a Prince masterpiece. I'd recommend giving the Chris Cornell version a listen although I'll never forget hearing Sinead's version for the first time.

Local boy in the photograph - Stereophonics

Breaks my heart every time I hear it. I'm not usually very good at hearing lyrics clearly, but this one stands out and is so raw.

Originally written and sung by Chris Stapleton - incomparably better singer and songwriter than Josh.

In fact, Chris’s songs have been some of my ‘moments’ - I Was Wrong, Cold, Think I’m In Love with You, his version of Tennessee Whisky etc,

She keeps me warm - Mary Lambert. So gorgeous.

Strange and Beautiful - Aqualung. I have to stop myself playing this as it gives me an ear worm for days and also puts me into a weird melancholy.

Afaik it a song from a US musical that folded and her version made it famous as a war song. Her Englishness gives it extra poignancy.

I'm the opposite, I liked the bit on the ad and then absolutely loved the rest of the song! One of my favorites.

With or without you - U2.
Sky full of stars - Coldplay.

Ink - Coldplay

Loads that have already been mentioned plus

Nails in my Feet - Crowded House
Misty Blue - Dorothy Moore
Throw your Arms Around Me - Hunters & Collectors
They Shoot Horses don’t they - Racing Cars
Killermont Street - Aztec Camera
Free as a Bird - The Beatles
I am, I said - Neil Diamond

Disturbed's version of The Sound of Silence.

‘ What Is Love? ‘- Howard Jones

’Here Comes The Sun’ - Beatles

‘(Remember The Days Of The) Old Schoolyard’ - Cat Stevens

So many and lots already mentioned but the most memorable...

Find the River - REM
Vienna - Ultravox
Stan - Eminem
Take me to Church - Hozier
Landslide - Fleetwood Mac
Help me Make it Through the Night - Kris Kristofferson
Nothings Gonna Hurt You Baby - Cigarettes After Sex
Song for Zula - Phosphorescent (definitely recommend anyone who hasn't heard this song before to listen to it now - especially if you want a good cry)

I rushed out and bought the CD single for Spaceman after the ad - those were the days!

Thought the rest was pants ...

I remember turning on the telly for Top of the Pops and Oasis playing Wonderwall and being blown away

Also Portishead Glory Box - my brother played it for me on my CD player and I was mesmerised

And hearing Stereo MCs perform Step it Up at Glastonbury - that was electrifying

Think there's a 90s theme here, though most of my musical education was the 80s - maybe I can't remember that far back.

Ah I absolutely LOVE The National 😍

Oh and Taylor Swift's AlllToo Well 10 minute version - heard it in the car on a dark night and was a full-on Swiftie thereafter, having been neutral before

Beverly Craven, Promise me

I've just listened to this on Spotify and I recognise it but never watched Versailles?! It must have been used on other programmes / films too...

Silent All These Years - Tori Amos

Lady with the braid Dory Previn

Portishead YES! Played their albums continuously when they came out. Also Massive Attack especially Angel. Absolutely spellbinding stuff

It was probably the only record my parents hated. Kate's message written into the centre of the album was "this album was made to be played loud". So I did.

For me Bjork 'Its Oh So Quiet' always stops me in my tracks because it is exactly how a roller-coaster relationship feels and i love the excuse to scream loudly and pretend its because im singing along!

Raye, Where is my husband? And the Albert Hall performance of Oscar winning tears. She is truly a great musician and songwriter and I haven’t been as enthused about two recent songs in years!

The This Mortal Coil one is also fantastic, but the Tim Buckley version was the first one I heard, and so I think it left the lasting impression. Also, Lost Highway - excellent choice of film! Are you a Lynch fan in general?