Somebody once said about music, “It’s the silence between the notes that really counts.” The musicians who wrote the tunes on this list of songs about silence would probably agree. At times, many people listen to music just to avoid silence. But silence is a part of all music if you consider those empty spaces in between the noise. However you react to silence, you’ll be sure to find a silence song you love on this list. One of these songs about quiet might just convince to turn off the music… until the next one starts, of course.

Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sounds of Silence” was their breakthrough hit. The duo had been considering disbanding, but achieved success when bass and drums were overdubbed onto their previously acoustic track.

“It’s Oh So Quiet” was a Bjork single, unique with it’s big band instrumentation that deviates from her largely electronic work.

“The Quiet One” was written by The Who bassist John Entwistle as a track for him to sing at concerts other than “My Wife,” a popular Who track featuring him on vocals.

Which of these songs about silence do you love so much that you hate the silence that follows? Vote for your favorites! If there’s a song about silence that’s not on the list, don’t keep silent, please add it.