[2025] A roundup of Western songs with titles starting with B

Beautiful that wayAchinoam Nini

Noa (Achinoam Nini) – Beautiful that way (La vita è bella)

Israeli artist Achinoam Nini channels a powerful wish for peace through her singing.

Born to a Yemeni family and raised in New York, she masterfully performs across diverse genres including pop, jazz, and world music.

In 1991, she began working with guitarist Gil Dor, and made her international debut with the 1994 album “Noa.” A song on that album—her own lyrics set to a Bach melody—brought her pure, crystalline voice to worldwide attention.

In addition to her musical career, she is known as a peace activist, having received an honor from the Italian Republic and famously performing at a historic peace rally in 1995.

Her voice embodies the belief in music’s power to bridge cultures.

She is the perfect artist for anyone seeking profoundly moving, soul-stirring music.

Brown SugarD’Angelo

D’Angelo – Brown Sugar

This is the debut song by the genius from Virginia, D’Angelo, whose arrival heralded a new era in the ’90s R&B scene.

Released in June 1995 as the lead single from his album Brown Sugar, it remains a beloved classic that represents neo-soul.

At first listen it sounds like a sweet love song to a woman, but it’s actually a clever metaphor that personifies marijuana.

The way he sings about getting “high,” like being drunk on love, riding over jazzy organ and a languid beat, is truly one of a kind.

The organically crafted, DIY groove of this track has a charm that seems to melt into the stillness of the night.

When you want to sink into music with a slightly more mature mood, why not lose yourself in its smoky soundscape?

Birds Without WingsDavid Gray

David Gray – Birds Without Wings (Official Video)

This song marks the beginning of the career of British singer-songwriter David Gray, who would later achieve global success with the classic album White Ladder.

Released in November 1992 as his debut single, the track poignantly portrays a powerful longing for freedom and the frustration of an unyielding reality through the image of a bird yearning to soar without wings.

The pure resonance of the acoustic guitar intertwines with his introspective vocals, conveying a struggle against the inescapable real world that resonates deep within the listener.

The song is included on his debut album A Century Ends, released in April 1993.

It’s a perfect track for a quiet night of contemplation, when you want to dive deep into your own heart.

Barely BreathingDuncan Sheik

Duncan Sheik – Barely Breathing (Official Video)

Duncan Sheik, an American singer-songwriter known for his intelligent and delicate vocals, leaves a lasting impression.

His memorable debut single portrays the bittersweet emotions of realizing a lover’s deceit and, after agonizing to the point of being unable to breathe, choosing to walk away.

Set to an acoustic guitar melody, his clear, translucent vocals vividly convey the overwhelming pressure of inescapable feelings.

Released in May 1996, the song became an extraordinary long-running hit, staying on the U.

S.

charts for 55 weeks.

It was also featured in the TV drama Party of Five, drawing significant attention.

On nights when you’re troubled by a complicated love, or when you want to quietly sit with your thoughts alone, listening to this song may resonate deep within your heart.

BackwaterMeat Puppets

Meat Puppets – Backwater (Official Music Video)

With a sound that evokes the dry desert air, Meat Puppets redefine the image of grunge.

Formed in Arizona, they fused punk with country and psychedelia, reportedly influencing many bands including Nirvana.

This track may revolve around the anxiety felt in a stagnant, marshy situation and the suffocating sense of being unable to break free.

Even so, Curt Kirkwood’s languid vocals and the band’s powerful performance deftly convey a complex state of mind.

Released as a single from the acclaimed 1994 album Too High to Die, it reached No.

2 on the U.

S.

rock charts.

When you’re in the mood for a drier strain of rock that stands apart from orthodox grunge, give it a listen.

Before & AfterAdnan Joubran

BEFORE & AFTER Official clip

Everyday life lost to war, and yet hope still played as if in prayer.

This is the sonic landscape painted by Adnan Joubran, an oud player from Palestine.

Born into a musical family spanning four generations, his attempt in this piece was to weave in the sounds of Gaza before its destruction, along with the voices of children.

The gentle echoes of days gone by overlap with the mournful timbre of the oud, confronting us with the question of what has been lost.

Released on October 6, 2024, the work carries his searing message.

Rather than dismissing it as a distant country’s affair, why not listen when you wish to reflect on the lives that undeniably existed there and contemplate the true meaning of peace?

BreathturnHammock

Hammock – Breathturn

Hammock is an American duo that leads listeners into a dreamlike sonic world with layers upon layers of guitar.

Their allure lies in a beautiful yet profound musicality that blends elements of ambient and shoegaze.

They drew attention right after their 2005 debut, and their 2012 double LP, Departure Songs, received high acclaim, being named Album of the Year.

They overcame the tragedy of the 2010 floods, which nearly destroyed the members’ home, and are also known for the praise from comedian Ricky Gervais, who called their music “like the best film score by Radiohead.” It’s the perfect choice when you want to step away from the noise of daily life and immerse yourself in vast, beautiful waves of sound.