People Are Sharing The Songs They Consider To Be Perfect Masterpieces, And I’m Adding Each And Every One Of These To My Playlist

I’m always on the lookout for new music, so when I stumbled upon a Reddit thread where people shared the songs they consider to be “absolute masterpieces,” I took note of every single one.

Person in bathtub playfully sticking out tongue amid bubbles, with a yellow radio on the tub's edge

Here are 17 of the most popular and passionate selections:

1.”This Must Be the Place” by Talking Heads:

A band performs in a casual setting. Singers and guitarists are visible, wearing informal, everyday clothing

“I played this song at my wedding, and it reminds me so much of my wife and how she makes me feel.”

–mokobuku

2.”Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones:

Two musicians perform on stage; one sings, wearing a dark jacket, and the other plays guitar, wearing a vest over a long-sleeved shirt

“The backing vocals for this may just be the best backing vocals of all time. You can find them on YouTube without any of the music and holy hell when Mary Clayton’s voice cracks singing ‘murder’ it sends shivers down my spine.”

–Ok-Buddy4050

3.”Smooth Operator” by Sade:

Person singing on stage, wearing a simple, elegant dress, holding a microphone. Red backdrop

“I was in 8th grade when she first came out with music. Decades later it’s on my niece’s playlist and she’s 15.”

–yumi365

4.”Interstate Love Song” by Stone Temple Pilots:

Two people sing passionately into a vintage microphone, one wearing a patterned shirt, the other in a collared shirt

“It’s a perfectly written rock song.”

–rocketfuelhgh

5.”Sister Golden Hair” by America:

Three men from the band America pose in front of the Golden Gate Bridge. The album cover features the title "Hearts" with a clover emblem

“It sounds like 3 to 4 different songs stitched together, but it all works and flows together beautifully.”

–Art_Z_Fartzche

6.”All Too Well” (10-minute version) by Taylor Swift:

A musician performs on stage in a sleek black dress, playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone

Terry Wyatt / Getty Images

“Basic answer, I know, but that song saved me.”

–anxiousramennoodle

7.”Mr. Blue Sky” by Electric Light Orchestra:

Man with curly hair, sunglasses, and a beard holds an electric guitar, wearing a pinstripe suit in a casual setting

Michael Putland / Getty Images

“Just makes me instantly happy.”

–sharoncherylike

8.”Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” by Led Zeppelin:

Musician passionately playing an electric guitar on stage, with a dynamic pose and intense focus, conveying energy and emotion in performance

Bill Tompkins / Getty Images

“One of the greatest songs ever.”

–Individual-Name-4496

9.”Kid Fears” by The Indigo Girls:

Two musicians perform on stage with guitars, singing into microphones. Stage lights illuminate them as they engage the audience

John Atashian / Getty Images

“Mainly for the vocals toward the end.”

–Anal_Thunder69

10.”Midnight City” by M83:

Band performing energetically on stage with guitars and drums, dynamic lighting in the background

Scott Dudelson / Getty Images

“It’s my college crew’s anthem. Great song.”

–Cold_Welcome_5018

11.”Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” by Jeff Buckley (Live at Cabaret Metro):

Singer performs passionately on stage, gripping microphone with closed eyes conveying emotion. Casual style, long hair, focused on music

Jack Vartoogian / Getty Images

“The studio version is a fantastic song, but he somehow managed to outdo himself in this recording. The changes he makes hit so much harder than the studio choices, it no joke is so euphoric to listen to that it makes me squirm like a worm every time I listen to it. I’m not gay but that man makes me feel things my girlfriend can’t. There’s footage of me listening to it on full blast in the garage with my friends and if you close your eyes, the audio is analogous to straight up porn from the noises I was making, 100/10 no song will ever come close.”

–FaithlessnessOnly488

12.”Wuthering Heights” by Kate Bush:

Person singing passionately into a microphone, wearing a lace top under a blazer. They have long, curly hair and eyes closed while performing

Dave Hogan / Getty Images

“It’s obvious, but an absolutely perfect song. The melody is godly.”

–alfienoakes

13.”Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding:

Musician performing energetically on stage, dressed in a shiny jacket, sunglasses, and a flat cap, holding a microphone and guitar

Rick Diamond / Getty Images

“I used to play this in my office every time I had extreme stress. I no longer work that job, but listen to it when I need calming.”

–-bodega_cat

14.”In An Aeroplane Over the Sea” by Neutral Milk Hotel:

Vintage illustration of a woman with a tambourine face and child in a swimsuit waving in the ocean, with ships and swimmers in the background

“The lyrics are mysterious, but potent. The vocals are mourning but somehow also sweetly nostalgic. Fond memories of those we miss, perhaps miss desperately. Cracking around the edges, a bit. Raw. In the most perfect way.”

–sp0rkah0lic

15.”Sinnerman” by Nina Simone: