What is your favorite quiet part in a song or other piece of music?

Question

For example, it may be a quiet introduction, or a song where one word is almost whispered, or perhaps a piece of music that gets softer and softer.

It can even be a loud climax that never would have worked a quiet (or silent) part before or afterwards.

All styles of music welcome.

If you know several examples that's even better.

Answer 1

1) Beethoven's Sixth Symphony, the second movement.
This "Scene by the Brook," in this case, a brook frequented by quails, cuckoos, and nightingales, whose voices are evoked by the woodwinds.

2) UNCHAINED MELODY (The Righteous Brothers), all of it. Here is the first part:

"Oh my love my darling
I've hungered for your touch
A long lonely time
And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me

Lonely rivers flow to the sea to the sea
To the open arms of the sea
Lonely rivers sigh wait for me wait for me
I'll be coming home wait for me..."

3) ENYA: Only Time (All of it)

Who can say where the road goes
Where the day flows, only time
And who can say if your love grows
As your heart chose, only time

(Chanting)

Who can say why your heart sighs
As your love flies, only time
And who can say why your heart cries
When your love lies, only time

(Chanting)

Who can say when the roads meet
That love might be in your heart
And who can say when the day sleeps
If the night keeps all your heart

Night keeps all your heart

(Chanting)

Who can say if your love grows
As your heart chose
- Only time
And who can say where the road goes
Where the day flows, only time

Who knows? Only time
Who knows? Only time

4) Autumn Leaves (Nat King Cole) ALL of it

The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold

Since you went away the days grow long
And soon Ill hear old winters song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall

Answer 2

Well, I probably stand alone on here as a classical music fan, but there are many examples of sound variation in classical etudes. In music of the romantic era,(mid 1800's) it is quite prominent. Actually, I don't have any favorite quiet parts, as my taste leans more to the lively and spirited parts of a piece. Some folks hate classical music and call it "long-haired", etc. But the majority of the works by Chopin, Beethoven and Mozart inspire me to great heights. I think the quieter parts of their compositions are somewhat distracting. Thanks for a great question! You get a star!

Answer 3

In The Leaving Song Part II by AFI, there's a part where the instuments get low except for the guitar, and Davey whispers

"I left it all behind and never said goodbye. I left it all behind and never said goodbye. I left it all to die."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA3Pq_65vOo

More whispered words/vocal solos-

AFI- Days of the Phoenix:The girl on the wall always waited for me and she was always smiling. The teenage death boys, the teenage death girls...and everyone was dancing. Nothing could touch us then, no one could change us then, and everyone was dancing. Nothing could hurt us then, no one could see us then, and everyone was dancing. Everyone was dancing.

Aiden- The Last Sunrise: So mute and beautiful to me. A promise kept on high. Angleic look at life. Through open eyes.

The Almost- Say This Sooner: No one will ever see things the way I do, no one will try. (at just one part)

Atreyu- Becoming The Bull: Back and forth, the struggle consumes us all. Trying to keep a level head. (at one part)

Foo Fighters- The Pretender: Keep you in the dark, you know they all pretend. Keep you in the dark, and so it all begins.

My Chemical Romance- Helena: Can you hear me? Are you near me? Can we pretend to leave and then we'll met again when both our cars collide?

My Chem- Mama: And if you would call me your sweetheart, I'd maybe then sing you a song.

My Chem- The Ghost Of You: If I fall. If I fall..... down.

Rammstein- Feuer Frei: Dein Glück ist nicht mein Glück ist mein Unglück. Dein Glück ist nicht mein Glück ist mein Unglück.

Trapt-Headstrong: I see your motives inside, and your decisions to hide.

Can't think of anymore, hope that helped. :)

Answer 4

i am in love with the orchestral chorus that plays throughout "bittersweet symphony" by the verve.

i also find the background music of "aqueous transmission" by incubus to be extremely peaceful.

i enjoy the beginning guitar/bass solo in collective soul's "december" and the gin blossoms' "allison road," along with the solo in shawn colvin's "sunny came home"

i honestly could probably go on forever. but you get the gist of my music taste, :P

Answer 5

I like the flute pieces in any of the Moody Blues' songs. Ray Thomas plays some good flute!!

Answer 6

Kelly Clarkson's "Sober"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8wwxBg4lAQ

The beginning and the end where her whispers become a belting force to be reckoned with. Check it out. A pop rock classic to Me. ♥

♣Adrian♣

EDIT: AFI: Leaving Song Pt. 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA3Pq_65vOo

EDIT: Snow Patrol: Chasing Cars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxXwIIBlSgw

Don't mind Me. I just ♥♥ to help. =^)

Answer 7

In Patience by Guns n Roses... the whistling done by W. Axl Rose

Answer 8

a solo or when the song fades

Answer 9

the light that blinds by shadows fall.check it out. its so awesome

Answer 10

chasing cars...by snow patrol...u would have to hear it...it's message builds...I love that song