10 most beautiful songs in the gothic country genre

About the list: The word "beautiful" isn't exactly the first thing that comes to mind. But gothic country music has in fact its delicate moments. It's extremely difficult to explain and I will not elaborate any further on that subject. Anyway, here is the list.

    

No

 Cover Song/Album Artist

Notes

1

1401739331 65

 

 

Laudanum Lady / Built with Bones

(2007)

 

 

Christian Williams

This is a Victorian break-up song. Laudanum was the drug of choice in the 19th century, usually preferred by women. "But you'll be a lonely laudanum lady now." Un-gothic intro by Chopin.

2

DangerMouseSparklehorse

 

 

Song of Ruin / Trinity

(2013)

 

 

Sons of Perdition

A man is slained, buried, then dug up and given a drink of whiskey (since the drink was paid for, but never drunk) while pictures are taken. This is the story of the Canon Diablo shootout in 1905.

3

DangerMouseSparklehorse

 

 

Into the Piano / Consider the Birds

(2004)

 

 

Wovenhand

A subdued, introvert and minimalistic song with a distant piano echoing. The religious references are ubiquitous. "His hand for me a sovereign tone / I pray him come I pray him soon".

4

killaspider

 

 

 The Petrified Forest / Honey Moon

(2009)

 

 

 The Handsome Family 

The Handsome Family has a couple of "beautiful" songs in their vast catalogue. This song is great. "When we were together I lay in your river / As the fish swam through my hands".

5

1401739331 65

 

 

Mary Girl / A Handful Of Locusts 

(2010)

 

 

The Victor Mourning

This delicate song defines melancholy. It's perfectly attuned. The arrangement, lyrics and performance are solid. There's nothing to add or withdraw here. Talented gothic country band. 

6

1401739331 65

 

  

'til Exhaustion or Collapse / Shy Ghosts

(2016)

 

 

T.K. Bollinger

A song that ends with "No angel spoke to me / But I still feel blessed / So I'll still sing my dark to you / Even though you're unimpressed / 'Til exhaustion or collapse" is beautiful, if anything.

  

7

1401739331 65

  The Western Lands / Giving My Bones to the Western Lands 

(2015)

 

 

Slackeye Slim

 
This song belongs to the highlights on the album. It's almost hymnal in its structure with guitar, lap steel, whining-singing saw and vocals. Slackeye Slim can write beautiful songs, indeed.

8

1401739331 65

 

 

Evil Selfish Fool / Sing it Ugly

(2016)

 

 

Those Poor Bastards

TPB is not known for any beautiful songs. Despite the album title this song is sung beautifully "I know I am awful, I know I deserve this / I wish I was not what I am / Evil selfish fool".

9

thecruelmother

 

 

White Horse / The Earth and All That is in It 

(2010)

 

 

The Roe Family Singers

A beautiful song about drug addiction from their debut album. Then they made a change to more family-friendly music. Change is not always a good thing. Not in this case, anyway. 

10

inthepinesrc

 

 

Avalon / Axis Mundi

(2015)

 

 

Brown Bird

Marked by leukemia Dave Lamb sings to his wife MorganEve Swain "You're a huntress and a healer / And a holder of hands / And your heart is the Avalon / That I seek for my end". 45 seconds.


 

Before After Before