¤ milky moon ¤

I'd choose 'Baby Birch', I can't remember another song with its intensity, emotion and feeling. Lirically it is so deep and profound, musically very rich and touching. The progression of the last part is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard IN A WHILE. Probably one of my favorite songs ever. And the final phrase "be at peace, baby. and be gone" gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it.

Then, I want to mention this songs:

- 'Bridges and Balloons' - this was the first song I really loved by Joanna Newsom, and I think you'll agree with me that its melody is one of her bests.
- 'Only Skin' - Ok, I don't have a clue about what is she saying (maybe something about the relationship between son and mother or sth like that), but it's clearly one of her most powerful songs in terms of arrangements and melody. Also, and as Baby Birch, this song progresses to a fabulous climax that suddenly vanishes like nothing has happened. The first line of the song really touches me.
- 'Good Intentions Paving Company' - This is simply brilliant, a masterpiece and the song of the year. It is also my third most listened song on Last.fm. I think this song is her catchiest ever.

Either Cosmia or En Gallop for me

those two songs really hit hard in terms of lyrics and overall great musical composition

i'm surprised how many people put cosmia at the top of their lists, i never knew that song was such a hit for peoples

oh man!

Flying A Kite is definitely on the top of my list!

that's one of my favorite songs of all time. The lyrics are just awesome and every time i listen to it, there is something intangibly incredible about it's simplicity

May seem like a strange choice, but the EP version of 'Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie' - when i'm in the right, introspective sort of mood - hits me harder than anything else. The mingling between the male voice (does anyone know who the male singer is?) and Joanna's is just so pure and so beautiful.

But 'Only Skin' is the track that constantly astounds me - the sheer beauty in her lyrics, the inventiveness of the music - sorry to fall into cliché, but it is unlike anything i've ever heard before. Much has been said of 'Only Skin', but i'm certain it'll stand the test of time - it'll be considered one of that decade's greats in the near future, one of the most astounding examples of contemporary folk ever recorded.

no mention of "peach, plum, pear"? i feel like the wisdom of the world is contained in this song -- as if it is viewing the entire breadth of the world from a great, unbridgeable distance.

i also feel like there is so much pain in this song, especially in the walnut whales version, where it just sounds like a fresh wound -- several verb tenses that are in the past in the milk-eyed mender version are in the present, and joanna's voice is so fragile and delicate.

so much despair, yet so much wisdom. the words in this song combined with that totally catchy yet wistful chord progression, and her voice, completely uninhibited (especially on mender), emotionally bare -- it is beauty which moves me deeply.

also, "you were knocking me down with the palm of your eye" is, for me, a definite contender for best lyric ever.

Peach Plum Pear new live version is a kick, crave to have a proper live disc release JUST for this song

it was cosmia, because my bestie was dying for a while. but now, be a woman. still

"En Gallop." The meaning I get from it is very... relatable to my life, and I feel like I understand where she's coming from, but mainly because it's absolutely beautiful. I feel like I've been somewhere far away and come back after listening, and it's one of those songs where you just turn off the music when it's over and listen to the sounds around you. It sinks in.

I think this changes a lot between all the songs on Ys. My favorite for so long was Colleen but I feel less of a connection to it now.

Very well put, Wiggle. I am elevating "Flying a Kite " from my list of honourable mentions to my list of five "that one song" nominees.