We had this friend, Basil, who used to often say about one Benny Mardones song always included on his mood music tapes: 'I defy any woman not be touched by this song.' We always stipulated, though hearing it again through that link really calls my judgement into question...
Anyway, for me the song that has remained at the pinnacle of my poignancy hierarchy has been The Ballad of the Sad Young Men. The lyrics pierce through me every time.
Here's one of the Shirley Bassey versions.
A group I had never heard of called Then There Were Two's version.
And for me the quintessential version off Roberta Flack's first album.
