Top 10 Best Songs by Jeff Buckley

The definitive version of Leonard Cohen's song. Just Buckley and his guitar. He strips the song of all irony and makes it a fragile prayer about love, sex and loss.nnThe sigh at the beginning, the clear pluck, and that one long note at the end... It's of otherworldly perfection. Worldwide and in the Top 2000, this is considered one of the most beautiful recordings of all time. It moves, comforts and lingers forever.

An epic song that begins with the sound of a harmonium, evoking a funeral atmosphere. The lyrics are pure poetry about regret, aging and waiting. "Too young to hold on, and too old to just break free and run."nnThe buildup is slow and compelling, leading to a vocal climax that cuts right through you. It's the essence of heartbreak, captured in almost seven minutes of pure emotion.

His most "poppy" song, with beautiful slide guitar riff and string arrangements. It's a farewell letter to a loved one, full of melancholy but without resentment.nnThe melody is rich and sweeping. Buckley's singing in the bridge ("Did you say, 'No, this can't happen to me'?") is full of passion. It's the perfect break-up song: beautiful, painful and definitive.

A complex, hypnotic song directed at a friend about to leave his pregnant girlfriend (much like Buckley's own father Tim Buckley did). The atmosphere is Eastern and mystical.nnThe buildup to the end is phenomenal, with drums and guitars becoming increasingly intense. The singing is enchanting and full of warning. A dark masterpiece.

A cover of Nina Simone, but Buckley makes it completely his own. It's a song about loss and numbness, told with fragile beauty. The silence between the notes is as important as the notes themselves.nnThe guitar sounds like raindrops. Buckley's voice trembles with emotion, as if he might cry at any moment. It's breathtakingly beautiful and intimate.

Posthumously released on Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk. It's a sultry, soulful song reminiscent of Marvin Gaye. The groove is slow and sexy.nnBuckley shows himself here as the ultimate seducer. His voice is warm and direct. It's one of the most accessible songs in his oeuvre, full of passion and class.

A song that perfectly combines dissonance and melody. The chorus is catchy ("I love you, but I'm afraid to love you"), while the middle section is chaos and noise.nnIt's about the fear and reality of new love. The production is dynamic; you hear the space it was recorded in, which adds to the intimacy and urgency.

The opening of Grace. It begins dreamy and abstract, like an opium haze, and slowly builds toward an insane climax. The guitar parts are complex and atmospheric.nnBuckley sings about obsessive desire. His voice glides effortlessly from soft whispers to powerful outbursts. It's an enchanting introduction to his musical universe.

An arrangement of a medieval hymn. Buckley sings this with a falsetto so pure it's almost inhuman. The accompaniment is minimal, giving the voice all the space.nnThe atmosphere is sacred and mysterious. It sounds as if the song floats from a cathedral. A beautiful example of his ability to breathe new life into old music.

One of his harder songs, inspired by Led Zeppelin. The guitar riff is gritty and aggressive, showing that Buckley could rock hard too. The lyrics are an indictment of hatred and injustice.nnThe energy is raw and unpolished. Buckley screams his frustration, which contrasts sharply with his softer ballads. It shows the versatility of his talent.