The internet has decided these are the 10 most beautiful songs ever

This collection of some of the world’s most beautiful music was gathered via crowdsourcing. Someone on Reddit asked a simple question: “What, in your opinion, is the single most beautiful song ever made? It turns out the answer wasn’t so simple.

More than 16,000 people responded to the question. The discussion thread got so long, people began having a hard time keeping up. A savvy group member, Ericaohh, decided to collect all of the suggestions and put it on one mega Spotify playlist for easy reference. How awesome is that?

What’s on the playlist? Selections range from some of the finest classical pieces ever written to artists you might be surprised to find on a list of the most beautiful songs ever. With more than 100 songs, there are artists and genres to appeal to just about anyone.

Ericaohh explained how she came up with the list back on Reddit:

And here are the top 10 most beautiful songs from the list, as voted on by nearly 20,000 social media users.

10. “Heroes” By David Bowie

Commenters loved the feeling and passion from the artist in this song. And these days, the thought of “we can be heroes, just for one day” sounds pretty darn appealing.

9. “What a Wonderful World” By Louis Armstrong

This song is the perfect antidote to a world that often feels dark and depressing. Here’s Armstrong singing his classic song back in 1967.

8. “The Boxer” By Simon And Garfunkel

Whether you like the simple acoustic guitar opening or the iconic climax of the song, “The Boxer” captures the best qualities of Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon’s partnership: great harmonies, swelling melodies and a fantastic story.

In this video, the crowds in Central Park who came out for one of the most famous concerts of all time were thrilled to hear the duo perform one of their best-known works:

7. “Can’t Help Falling In Love” By Elvis Presley

One of rock ‘n’ roll music’s pioneers may have hit the scene with upbeat songs like “Hound Dog,” but Presley had a softer side that fans adored. This 1961 song hit number one on many international music charts and has been remade many times since. UB40’s remake ranked as the number 22 song of the ’90s by Billboard Magazine.

However, it’s Presley’s version that most people still connect with on a sentimental level.

6. “Adagio for Strings, Op. 11” By Samuel Barber

This orchestral work was performed for the first time on Nov. 5, 1938, on NBC radio. The piece is often used in memorial services and funerals due to its somber and reflective tones. “Adagio for Strings, Op. 11” has also been used in many films and TV shows, including “Wasteland,” “ER” and “Platoon.”

5. “Requiem: Lacrimosa” By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

It should be no surprise that Mozart made the list. His works are among the most famous in the world, even centuries after his death. The “Requiem: Lacrimosa” is just one part of an entire funeral mass the composer worked on shortly before his death in 1791.

4. “Little Wing” By Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix? The psychedelic rock guitarist on a list of most beautiful music? Yep, it’s true. Many Reddit users agreed that this song should rank near the top. However, an instrumental cover version of the song by Stevie Ray Vaughan (a master guitar player, too) outshines the original version. What do you think?

3. “Nights In White Satin” By The Moody Blues

Recorded by The Moody Blues in 1967 with the London Festival Orchestra, “Nights In White Satin” was part of the group’s “Days of Future Passed” symphonic rock album. The recording blended the classical sounds of an orchestra with the psychedelic sounds of the late ’60s.

2. “Arabesque No. 1” By Claude Debussy

This entry from Claude Debussy has sort of a cult following among the children of the ’80s and ’90s. Parts of the piece were used in PBS’s astronomy show “Star Hustler.” But even beyond the cult following, “Arabesque No. 1” can usually be found on most classical music greatest hits collections thanks to its beautiful melody.

1. “Clair de Lune” By Claude Debussy

What? Again? Face it, Debussy knew how to write some beautiful music! “Clair de Lune” is one of the most recognizable works in music history. This piece generated hundreds of comments on its own, which made it the most popular song included on the Spotify playlist.

What do you think of these choices? What would you add or take away from the list?