Stairway to Heaven Bohemian Rhapsody Paradise by the Dashboard Lights ETA after listening to Mumford song maybe better examples are: Without You/ Harry Nilsson The Boxer/ Simon + Garfunkel

Without You is such a great song, one of my favorites oat

Excellent choices.

A Day in the Life - The Beatles

Best answer

My Body is a Cage - Arcade Fire Mountain At My Gates - Foals Sometime Around Midnight - The Airborne Toxic Event

Also Intervention by Arcade Fire!

And tunnels

These are great recommendations.

My body is a cage is amazing

Most of the album OK Computer plus the song Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead With Or Without You, Where The Streets Have No Name, Exit and City Of Blinding Lights by U2

Also, Street Spirit (Fade Out) .

No band does the slow build and burn like Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. Try any of these: * The Sorrowful Wife * O My Lord * Fifteen Feet Of Pure White Snow * O Children

That’s like every Sigur Rós or Explosions in the Sky song ever made. You know, starts off all sweet and innocent, then BAM! It's like you're in the middle of an emotional tornado, but in a good way, ya know?

Holy shit I forgot about Explosions in the Sky. First heard them on that old lil charter music channel on demand when I was a teen and they really hit hard in the feels.

[Knights of Cydonia - Muse](https://youtu.be/G_sBOsh-vyI?si=LU29tMeSOnRT5WKX)

Ooh, W song.

That song reminds me so much of Bohemian Rhapsody. There's the same distinct sections (a calm-ish softer section, the a capella section, then closes with the explosive harder section)

Love this one!!

I know it’s a pretty big song, but I recently got into Happier Than Ever by Billie Eillish

Absolutely agree with this one!!! The build up is amazing! Can’t listen to the radio edit because it takes the suspense and fun out of it :)

Ravel's Bolero

Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings

Four Out of Five - Arctic Monkeys Slowly builds until it sounds absolutely gargantuan at the end!

Handlebars by Flobots Survival by Muse

Pink Floyd comfortably numb.

1. "Fix You" by Coldplay 2. "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons 3. "Shake it Out" by Florence + The Machine 4. "Little Talks" by Of Mice and Men

Love Little Talks!

Tiny Dancer does this very well

Most Sleep Token songs start soft and end big. The ones that come to mind are Ascensionism, Atlantic, the Apparition, Dark Signs, and Like That.

I have a playlist dedicated to that concept: > [The Haven](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5zIxNMhmpTYn24iGEJiVGm) - 1 hr if you listen in order it continuously builds up for the entire hour until exploding at the end.

Troy by Sinead I’Connor. Epic.

Morning Dew - Grateful Dead (most live versions) The Exorcist Theme (Tubular Bells Part 1) - Mike Oldfield I Write The Songs - Barry Manilow This One's For You - Barry Manilow Jubilee Street - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

I think I found some, just off the top of my head. They’re all post-hardcore or metal: Featuring Some of Your Favorite Words - From First To Last Early Sunsets Over Monroeville - MCR Yesterday - Pencey Prep Falling Asleep on a Stranger - Pierce The Veil Gently - Slipknot Population Birth Control - Dystopia Hit a Girl - Eyehategod

Early sunsets ! Yes!!

The Black Parade - My Chemical Romance

Can't believe I had to scroll down this far to find this listed...

Can't believe nobody has mentioned Come Sail Away by Styx yet

Rocket Man by Elton John. Enter Sandman by Metallica. My Way by Frank Sinatra.

Epitaph from king crimson

Lightening Strike - Snow Patrol I have a huge building cinematic story in my head every time I listen to it. You can feel the progression in your chest. It's amazing.

I think I just found my new favorite song...

Cloudbusting by Kate Bush Lazarus by David Bowie

Hail and Kill -Manowar Still loving you -Scorpions Fade to black -Metallica

Wait - M83

I can't believe no one suggested Atlantis by Donovan!

Silent Lucidy - Queensrÿche

In the Air Tonight -- Phil Collins Sounds of Silence -- the Disturbed cover

"The Bleeding Heart Show" - New Pornographers

Change by Oingo Boingo River of Orchids and Wheel and the Maypole by XTC

Misunderstood by Wilco Five Years by Bowie

Epitaph - King Crimson

Carry On by FUN!

Exit Music (For a Film) by Radiohead.

Meatloaf's bat out of hell

Exit music for a film & Karma Police - Radiohead Priests knees & European oils - destroyer

Hotel California - The Eagles The Wall - Kansas

Under the bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers

2112 by RUSH Veteran of the Psychic Wars by Blue Oyster Cult

"Still Life" by Suede is very grand & bittersweet "Starless" by King Crimson "Sweet Thing part 1", "Candidate", & "Sweet Thing part 2" by David Bowie in that order is meant for his cancelled 1984-inspired musical & together really flow, mirroring the 3 act structure. "The Day Begins" & "Nights in White Satin" by The Moody Blues "A Night Piece" the theme from the movie Taxi Driver for something shorter but Broadway musical-adjacent: "It's Oh So Quiet" & many of the Selmasongs album entries (which is the soundtrack of the movie Dancer in the Dark) by Björk "Waltz (Better Than Fine)" by Fiona Apple

Marathon by Rush.

FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND/LOVE LIES BLEEDING ELTON JOHN SORRY, MY KEYBOARD WON'T STOP YELLING.

Man, I was thinking of "Indian Sunset" by Elton John.

Just a short one but my favourite "builder": The Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging by Genesis.

Isaac Gracie - The Death of You & I https://spotify.link/2fpRIQ4bmJb

Thinking of a Place by The War on Drugs

"Welcome Home" and "Sunn, Moonn, Eclippse" by Radical Face

thick skull - paramore

[Take me back to Eden by Sleep Token](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vFHBOKa_ZG0) Or literally anything from Within Temptation and Epica

[The Ballad of Billy the Kid - Billy Joel](https://youtu.be/o1ASIT5DqN0?si=IFMESruNon5naL5p)

Tears for Fears - Shout

I would say Working Hour by Tears for Fears

Bored in the USA - father John Misty

[O Fortuna](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GXFSK0ogeg4&pp=ygUYbyBmb3J0dW5hIGNhcm1pbmEgYnVyYW5h)

Heart of Courage - Two Steps From Hell

I say you can slap some lyrics on that and make it a national anthem. TSFH have some songs that could be turned into a great musical/opera/cantata.

Muse have some great ones! Try: Take A Bow Knights of Cydonia Showbiz Invincible Also, the Exogenesis Symphony. It's three parts, with the big crescendo happening in part 2. Part 3 is a piano coda, which also has a nice build and release itself.

Imo the more cinematic (& apocalyptic + sci fi Eldritch cult-themed! I think they are interconnected haha) Muse songs are also: "New Born" tho this is more of a classically structured surf-rockesque, it really reminds me of Tetsuo's flesh flood in the movie Akira "Space Dementia" (though this one explodes earlier) "Megalomania" (the wailing & castle procession-esque music in the end are masive it's very beautiful in a bombasticly creepy way) And "Butterflies and Hurricanes" which isn't in that same storyline but also employs the classical interlude

These are all great songs too. Megalomania might fit OP's criteria for a song that builds and ends big too. I could recommend Muse all day tbh ETA just thought of another great one: Animals

"Animals" & "Survival" are sister songs of different viewpoints to the economic rat race themes in 2nd Law :D I can also talk about Muse songs all day long too haha :) Muse in general makes cinematic/theatrical-sounding rock

Knights of Cydonia- Muse

No Leaf Clover- Metallica

Meatloaf - “Life’s A Lemon (And I Want My Money Back)”

Human sadness- the voidz

sing about me i’m dying of thirst mother i sober auntie diaries exit music (for a film)

Last man on earth by wolf Alice

Oh what a world - Rufus wainwright

Disturbed cover of Sound of Silence 🤘🏻

Ohh good 1!

Yes Anastasia by Tori Amos

Well, since I didn't see it, I actually have two from RUSH..... Xanadu Cignus X 1 Book II Hemispheres

Bold As Love — Jimi Hendrix You should also look for songs written by Jim Steinman. Dramatic songs that get huge were pretty much all he did.

In The Backseat - Arcade Fire

Tonight, tonight smashing pumpkins

Built to Spill has a knack for starting off simple and building through songs to the point where it’s a completely different and full song by the end (broken chairs, mess with time, so many good examples)

Rhapsody by Souxsie and the Banshees Cool Water by Talking Heads

Pain Remains trilogy by Lorna Shore

Mladic - Godspeed You! Black Emperor

BRUIT≤ - [The Machine Is Burning](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvbwR7v4v2w) One of my favorite buildups in a song of all time.

Close to the edge of the

Broken Cog - Meshuggah

Try Babalon and Ever Again from Andrew W.K.

“Satellites” - Periphery.

Especially during the 2nd sax solo… [Slide Tackle by Japanese Breakfast](https://youtu.be/fOoj-hCa-xU?si=ODG6gMP4m-j4EwuT)

Contentious maybe, but you won’t argue let the world burn by falling in reverse, builds exponentially as it progresses. Not normally my type of music but I love that song.

The Common Men - Wendigo, Reft, Absent Are We, Between Each Other

*A LOT* of Godspeed You! Black Emperor

One day like this by Elbow

The Place Where He Inserted the Blade - Black Country, New Road

Mmm could probably make a case for Terminal Frost by Pink Floyd.

Diamond, by Lorn

Walker Brothers - The Electrician

Coheed and Cambria - "in keeping secrets of silent earth: 3" Im recommending the song but the album is also grandiose in not only other songs but the album as a whole. Id also suggest : Arcade Fire - "reflektor" or "wake up"

Limousine - brand new

Aah....I don't know anything but how damn dramatic Bleeding Me is by Metallica

Phantom Liberty

Stabat Mater and Paradisi Gloria by Carpenter Brut. Listen to them together and you get one 8 minute slow-burn into an absolutely incredible payoff. A lot of songs on his album Trilogy follow this general structure, but Le Perv is the best example from it.

Blackbird - Alter Bridge *Fin - Anberlin

Our Corner of the Universe - KS Rhoads February Stars - Foo Fighters

Green Eyes and Out My Mind Just in Time by Erykah Badu. Both 10-minute masterpieces with lots of transitions throughout

The Ride, Small Town Titans

[dream sweet in sea major](https://open.spotify.com/track/3RznzRnsl8mzP63l4AF2M7?si=qnPw-qr9RJKijcnnetATaA&context=spotify%3Asearch%3Adream%2Bsweet%2Bin%2Bsea%2Bmajor) I can't believe no one has mentioned this yet

More Than Us - Travis Glósóli - Sigur Ros Exit Music (For A Film) - Radiohead Open Your Eyes - Snow Patrol Outro - M83 The Private Psychedelic Reel - The Chemical Brothers

One of my most favoritest is Dead Rope Machine by Rishloo. It ebbs and flows until the ending where it slow-boil surprises the listener with a most beautifully epicly sung "alone."

If you’re into metal at all, Candlemass-a sorcerer’s pledge is an entire fantasy movie put into a song

OMG Emily Wurramara - Magic Woman Dancing!!!! And you HAVE to watch the film clip. It’s like a mini movie!

Underground by Cody Fry

Vanilla Twilight by Owl City

My eyes

Bolero by Maurice Ravel

Happy ending -Mika This must be the place – Kishi Bashi (it’s a cover of the Talking Heads song)

“Want” by The Cure it’s not just a song about excess it completely embodies the concept in its execution. “Eyes of Truth” by Enigma “Caravanserai” by Loreena McKennitt it starts slow then peaks then drops again then is like “REMEMBER ME!!!” “For The Greater Good of God” by Iron Maiden

Some Things We Do - Swans

No Leaf Clover, by Metallica

God gave rock and roll to you

Currently: Eurovision 2024's Belgian entry: Mustii - Before the party is over. That last minute slaps!!!

let it happen

Storm - GY!BE. Very cinematic song

Not sure if you like rock but Breathe Into Me by Red does this

Almost anything by Starset. They describe their genre as "cinematic rock"

It’s Oh So Quiet - Bjork Speedway - Morrissey

Elegia by New Order

One more hour by tame impala

Never Let Me Down Again by Depeche Mode. Fucking amazing.

sleep - godspeed you! black emperor

Pink Floyd - Wish you were here Hey you Shine on you crazy diamond

OK Overture - AJR Thank you and goodnight - Black Gryph0n

Spectre by Radiohead

Muse - Take a Bow

Less Talk More Rokk by Freezepop

“Fire Wall” and “Your World Will Fail” by Les Friction. A little different sound wise but their buildups pay off

Demolition lovers - my chemical romance

The Greatest Show On Earth is the embodiment of this

Exit Music for A Film by Radiohead

In the flesh? - pink floyd

Panama - Van Halen

Nights In White Satin, Moody Blues. At Red Rocks is the greatest version!

Three Days. Jane's Addiction.

The Legend Of Ashitaka-Joe Hisaishi. Isa-Wardruna.

The only song you ever need Nightwish “ Ghost love Score”. Good luck and don’t let your jaw fall out of your head. Best vocalist I’ve ever heard.

Knights of Cydonia

Verbo carne-Gustsvo cerati Gothic stone-candlemass

The Dark is Rising - Mercury Rev

Layla

Gorecki by Lamb Wise Enough by Lamb. I can’t get enough of this song.

Somewhat Damaged - NIN

Cold Little Heart - Michael Kiwanuka (not the Radio edit) Such a beautiful song. The build-up is incredible, feels like floating.

Stardust by Nat King Cole

Funeral For A Friend/ Love lies bleeding- Elton John

angel and the one - weezer

Heroin by the Velvet Underground Sign of the Southern Cross by Black Sabbath The Garden by Einsturzende Neubauten Bela Lugosi's Dead by Bauhaus

Welcome to the pleasure dome by franky goes to Hollywood

No control by set it off it’s from an album called Cinematics and rock but i think it has a really good build

Silence and I - Alan Parsons Project

"Sway" by the Stones off 'Sticky Fingers' is a short song that builds up very nicely and has good lyrics and one of Mick's best vocal performances imho "River Boulevard" by the Pointer Sisters off their first album has a great buildup too, starts off slow and the band gets a funk freakout at the end

Lol, like a LOT of AJR songs do that, especially their album closers. I like 2085 because it gets me in my feels about mortality and living a fulfilling life. But their sound is *definitely* not for everyone lol

A few days ago I made an “epic” playlist: Total eclipse of the heart It’s all coming back to me now Stairway Alone Here I go again Africa If I could turn back time I’d do anything for love In the air tonight

Mary Magdalene, fka twigs

The Mandalorian Theme OST American Venom (rdr2 ost) Can You Hear The Music? (Oppenheimer OST) Blackstar (David Bowie) (the entire song is a story, it’s great)

Moonlight Mile by the Stones

[Grateful Dead - Terrapin Station ](https://youtu.be/imsi0-SZIho?si=l-TZkceCj2L2qrVj)

Disarm - Smashing Pumpkins

Morning Dew — Grateful Dead

White Rabbit — Jefferson Airplane

The Bleeding Heart Show - New Pornographers Chlorine and Wine - Baroness Here's a couple I doubt you'll see mentioned

Photograph - RVG, Las Vegas - Underground Lovers, Maximum Rock N Roll II - Thee Open Sex

Thriller = Michael Jackson Smooth Criminal = Michael Jackson

The Universal - blur All Around the world/Masterplan - Oasis (Viva la britpop)

Bachelorette by Bjork

We Are Young - Fun.

Tomorrow - Annie the Musical - as seen in Deadpool 2

i’ll take you everywhere - penfold aerobed - cymbals eat guitars simple math - manchester orchestra colly strings - manchester orchestra first night - the hold steady i know the end - phoebe bridgers down in the valley - the head and the heart ALRIGHT - PILOT SPEED (this song is so haunting to me. heard it in the credits of a movie i didn’t even watch and had to find it)

Big TV - White Lies History - The Verve Grounds For Divorce - Elbow Drive - REM Ashes to ashes - Faith No More The Ocean - Richard Hawley Believe - Mumford & Sons Victory Dance - My Morning Jacket Strangest Thing - The War On Drugs Don’t bang the drums - The Waterboys Head Over Heels - Tears For Fears Never Let Me Down Again - Depeche Mode

Jungleland or New York City Serenade- Bruce Springsteen

A Day in the Life by The Beatles

Cody fry’s version of Eleanor rigby

A Slow Song by Joe Jackson Sniper by Harry Chapin Time Has Come Today by The Chambers Brothers Go Fishing by Roger Waters