Songs that live rent-free in my head - Pt 1

Is this demo the most beautiful song ever recorded?

Every once in a while, I go through my favorites on YouTube, drown in nostalgia, and revisit live versions and demos of songs that were never recorded or not released on other streaming services.

One of those songs is a Robin Pecknold demo that he originally uploaded to Soundcloud in 2012 and posted about it on Fleet Foxes’ Facebook Page. “Olivia, in a Separate Bed” is one of those gut-wrenching love songs that always makes you think you’re an intruder into the artist’s life just by listening to it. It’s heartbreaking and delivers this intense sense of longing. There’s probably a good reason why he decided to never release it. I’m happy this song exists and still manages to take me back to that moment in 2012 when I first heard it.

Bess Atwell released a cover of the song on her stunning 2021 album “Already, Always”:

I’m still debating which version is more beautiful. What do you think?