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Weird Al Yankovic
His originals are absolutely underrated.
I'm going to dare to be stupid and disagree with you.
I was going to say Neil Pert. The drummer and lyricist for the Canadian band Rush…. But then I saw your Weird Al pick and you aren’t far off with that
Me, before reading your post: “man, this is hard… competition is fierce, so many genres and decades like how do you even”
Me, after reading your post: “of course, Weird Al is definitely 100% the correct answer”
Leonard Cohen
I would give ten years off my life if it meant I was half the lyricist he was
This should be higher on the list
I agree. It's either Dylan or Cohen, and I think this is the correct choice.
John Prine
Barry Gibb and his siblings
Hell yes.
Gibblings
I’ll second that. The combination of all three. Lyrically, melodically next level.
All their work is great. Their early work is on another level. I'm not sure I can listen to New York Mining Disaster without being blown away.
They were the very best.
Paul Simon has to be up there. His body of work is outstanding.
And for the losers like me, his chord progressions are amazing.
Came here to say this! His compositions and lyrics blow me away. He’s been my favorite since I was a teenager.
Bob Dylan. He wrote songs that are covered by artists, and people forget he wrote the song.
Example- All Along The Watchtower. Hendrix made it famous, Dylan wrote it.
Knocking on Heaven's Door. Guns and Roses, others covered the Dylan song.
Forever Young. Rod Stewart made it famous, Dylan wrote it.
Mr Tambourine Man covered by The Byrds.
Over 600 musicians have covered Dylan over 1500 times.
The GOAT.
He wrote Make You Feel My Love, which Garth Brooks made a huge country hit and Adele made a huge pop hit. He wrote Blowin in the Wind which Peter Paul and Mary made a big hit. Plus his own catalogue and versions of his songs are incredible. As a writer it's hard to argue for anyone else.
Make You Feel My Love - I have a lullaby version I play to my toddler to fall asleep. Been thinking how wonderful this song is actually, and that I should cover it. DID NOT know it was Bob Dylan!! Figures.
But, with All Along The Watchtower, he said after he heard Hendrix play it, he now play it that way.
Not to mention the best Bob Dylan cover of all time, “Subterranean Homesick Blues” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
And he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016.
And, he has a son (Jacob Dylan, The Wallflowers) who is quite good as well. Also has a movie director son, Jesse Dylan, who directed Kicking and Screaming, and How High with Method Man and Red Man.
And, he's Bob Frickin' Dylan.
*Loved* How High! Just watched it again last weekend for kicks...such a fun movie. "How can I be failing women's studies?? I love bitches!!"
Wow. I had no idea How High was directed by Bob Dylan's son. What a fun bit of trivia.
Have you seen Bob Dylan's paintings??? Look them up and be prepared to be blown away.
You should check out the unfinished version of wanted man he did with Johnny Cash. The flaws and parts where they forget their lines are endearing.
George Thorogood did a banger version of it too
People rave about EGOTs but Dylan skipped over those to win a goddamn Nobel Prize. Definitely the GOAT
This was my choice. He’s terrible live these days, but his early performances were incredible. No matter the debate on his voice, he’s an incredible songwriter
Love Bob. My favourite artist of all time. His songwriting ability from '62 to '75 absolutely baffles me. Pure genius.
I saw him in October and it was paaaaaaiiiiinful! He played "When I Paint My Masterpiece" and it was at least five minutes into the song before I recognized it. He hid behind his piano and was playing offkey several times during the show. He's fully mailing it in at this point.
It's def Bob
Even if you're one of the many people who don't like his own performances, I've never seen anyone claim he's bad at writing
Rod Stewart’s forever young is a completely different song. Only thing the same is the title. Written by Rod about his children.
Agree with you about Dylan though, absolutely the GOAT.
Couldn’t agree more! He is the GOAT
Came here to say Dylan. I don't even like him, don't live his music, but undeniably one of the absolute all time great songwriters.
1000% bob is the greatest lyricist of all time.
Stevie wonder
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26d
I really don't think Stevie Wonder gets enough credit. He was so unique in his time, and his hits are still good decades later.
Carole King
Gordon Lightfoot
THE LEGEND LIVES ON
from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
The lake it is said never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy...
{BTW I *love* threads like this!}
Dolly Parton. Over 5000 songs written.
Agree, and of high quality
Lennon/McCartney together. Not as good separately.
Yeah, but Paul McCartney's solo body of work is nothing to laugh at
Throw in Harrison and you got my vote.
The strongest post-Beatles record in All Things Must Pass.
Sure, Harrison in, but not Ringo.
Agreed 🤝
Not even in the same universe as Lennon McCartney. Has three great songs and some good ones.
I really like Harrison's Beatles songs, they are all great, when I moved on to checking out their solo discographies, after listening to a couple albums I was like " you know, he was really good when he got 3 songs an album"..
They balanced each other. On their own Lennon is too bitter and McCartney is too saccharine.
came here to say this!!! I disagree that they aren't good separately though...maybe not AS good.
A lot of good answers in this thread so far.
David Bowie is my pick.
Did you know that David Bowie was only his stage name? His real name was Davidoff Bowelmovement
Stop Jonesing us
First time I've heard this, but it's on the internet so it must be true.
Tom Waits
Agree - add Kathleen Brennan and he’s unmatched
Had to scroll to far to find this. The breadth of his song writing ability is really unmatched. Rock, blues, jazz, avante garde. The guy is a true original and we'll never see someone like him again.
This is my choice as well. Hands down.
In modern times, my vote is Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, or Brian Eno.
In the classical era of music, I would argue Beethoven.
Fiona Apple
Prince
Bob Dylan and Van Morrison are good answers too.
Two of three are Minnesotans! Something I can be proud of again!
Nobel Prize Winner
Brian Wilson
Surf is Up is just a marvel
The Smile Sessions, the collected work of his unreleased/unfinished 60s album, Smile, is a revelation into his creative process.
Cole Porter
Had to scroll way too far for this.
Yeah, because most people today don't know his name, anymore. Even if they might still recognize some of his songs.
Willy Nelson, Hank Williams Jr., James Taylor, Jim Croce.
Adrianne Lenker
At this rate she’s well on her way there.
If fame was based on pure talent she'd be Taylor Swift famous
Townes Van Zandt
Scrolled way too far to see this name. I would add… Guy Clark.
Oh yeah, that’s a damn shame. - thank you for your reply! 👍🏻 I love Guy Clark, too! I’ve been meaning to watch his documentary “Without Getting Killed or Caught.” Have you watched the free doc on YouTube for Townes called “Be Here To Love Me” It’s beautiful.
Definitely Paul Simon.....no question.
Another person who doesn't get enough credit for songwriting but I think is a genius is Michael Stipe. I love REM.
Bob Dylan, followed by John Prine, Townes van Sant, Billy Holiday, Joni Michell, Lucinda Williams.
Jeff Lynne.
Indeed. Many young people are unaware, but George and, more specifically, Ira Gershwin was the greater the greatest songwriter and Lyricist of all time.
"The more I read the papers The less I comprehend The world with all its capers And how it all will end. Nothing seems to be lasting. But that isn’t our affair, We’ve got something permanent, I mean, in the way we care.
It’s very clear Our love is here to stay, Not for a year But ever and a day. The radio and the telephone and the movies that we know May just be passing fancies, And in time may go. But, oh my dear, Our love is here to stay, Together we’re going a long, long way. In time, the Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble, They’re only made of clay, But our love is here to stay."
Pure poetry.
Nick Cave.
The Boatman’s Call is one of my top five albums.
Elliott smith
Lucinda Williams
Warren Zevon
Willie Nelson. Check his catalog.
King David, c. 1000 BCE
Edit: I wrote this to be silly, but thought about it more and people have been singing his songs for literally thousands of years
Diane Warren.
Was gonna put this exact thing…
Why isn’t this higher
Because most people don't know what songs she has written because they were performed by other artist. Basically if you heard a sappy love song that was over promoted for some movie she probably wrote it along with half of Celine Dion's greatest hits.
Exactly, you can’t listen to songs for an hour without hearing her songs. Different genres. Do you know she’s stated she’s never been in love?
Gordon Lightfoot. Pure poet with every lyric meaningful.
Billy Joel, if only for Pianoman
Billy Joel for me
Personally, I'd say Roger Waters and Thom Yorke.
Phew that was a long scroll for Thom Yorke
Hot take but Hozier? The way he write his songs is almost biblical
I thought about him too.
His last album really hit right where I’m hurting
I would honestly say all four members of Queen. The band is beautifully compiled of 4 different unique minds that cover all creative bases. Freddie wrote the more fantasy and pop inspired songs, Brian wrote in brilliant guitar solos, Roger wrote songs with unique drum fills, and John wrote some of the most iconic basslines ever, such as “another one bites the dust”. That’s why they worked so well together. Their real talent is often overlooked and unseen.
I see all the usual suspects on this list. So here's my odd ball list.
Kendrick Lamar
Frank Ocean
Thom Yorke
Sufjan Stevens
Stevie Nicks
Pete Townshend
Sly Stone
John Mayer
Nice list with a few more current artists. I feel like people automatically assume the songwriter needs to be dead or close to it to get considered. I would add Ben Howard and Paolo Nutini to your odd ball list.
Freddie Mercury
Barry Gibb
Roger waters
Marvin Gaye
Chico Buarque - Brazilian
Steve Wonder
Nina Simone
In English Bob Dylan. In Spanish Joaquin Sabina is, for me, the best storyteller.
Great pick!
Neil diamond, Neil young and Lou Reed were left out.
Max Martin from Sweden. Wrote every hit song in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.
George Gershwin
For me it's probably paul Simon, everything from his work within Simon and Gartfunkel to his own solo stuff is soo good
Paul McCartney
Correct answer
Frank Zappa
Roger Waters ofcourse....
Bruce
I’m not a fan of Bruce whatsoever but I am very surprised it’s so far down.
Morrissey’s writing is incredible and lyrically brilliant in my personal opinion, his work in The Smiths and their songs speak to me on another level
I was scrolling for this mention. You can say what you will about the man, but so many of his songs are amazing.
The right answer. Hand That Rocks the Cradle? Maudlin Street? Insane writing.
Bob Dylan....Paul Simon......Roger waters....Elton john, hard to pick just one fella
Elton didn’t write most of his lyrics. Great composer though
As a person who connects with the instruments and rhythm way before I even hear a word.
Mf.Doom
Tori Amos, Kate bush, PJ Harvey
Stephen Stills
Van Morrison
Robert Smith of The Cure
I feel like I'm going very much against the grain here, but hear me out: EMINEM.
That man is a lyrical genius, doing double. triple, quadruple entendres. Rap songs usually have more lines than regular songs, and he somehow manages to make it all coherent, poetic and off the wall every single time. The flow, the references, the change of rhythm. I am floored every single time.
1 bob dylan
2 Burt Bacharach
Holy shit did I have to scroll to see Burt Bacharach. He was a legend.
Dylan is the fiorst to come to mind. Second place for me, Conner Oberst.
This was going to be my answer. Some of the best/ most heart wrenching songs I’ve ever heard in Conor’s catalog.
Happy to see this. “Best” songwriter doesn’t necessarily mean most prolific. Could be one song. Connor is a great songwriter.
I did not expect to find an Oberst fan here, good answer
George Michael
John Prine
John Prine
Johnny cash
Hard to say, but Bob Dylan is a strong contender for many.
Irving Berlin
Elliot smith
Bob Dylan. Incredible lyricist/poet. Has been covered by many many different artists. Jimi Hendrix's "All along the watch tower" is a Dylan tune.
Phil Collins
Bon Dylan has to be top or very close to it for me
Neil Young is probably the most underrated of all. Deserves much more recognition.
The problem with internet lists like this is that they all have a very strong bias towards current songwriters. If we're going to list the best songwriters EVER, then we have to consider that there were songwriters before the 21st century. That means we should also consider names like the Gershwin brothers, Duke Ellington, or Cole Porter.
And, obviously, we have a strong bias towards English speaking songwriters, here. I can't do much about that, I don't know any Egyptian songwriters.
Some great classic shouts in this thread.
From the more modern side of things, I’d say Kevin Parker, Alex Turner, Thom Yorke and Damon Albarn are all honourable mentions.
Tony Iommi
Sufjan Stevens he doesn't write songs he writes poems.
Joni Mitchell! I can’t believe nobody said her yet.
Bob Dylan
Carole King
Probably ChatGPT
Peter Gabriel
Rain, definitely
Jason Isbell is up there.
Elvis Costello has to be considered at the very least
Geezer Butler
Win
I'm tempted to say Warren Zevon, but I have to concede this one to Leonard Cohen. He's not my favorite artist but Cohen was a one of a kind songwriter. An absolute titan.
Carol King is one
Willie Nelson.
Your opinion is wrong.
Willie wrote song lyrics for everyone, Country, Pop, Rock, Classic, you name it—I’ve even heard Willie Rap, although I’m not sure it was his—-
Nas - he's the GOAT lyricist
Sting
Chuck Berry
Bob Dylan
Paul Simon
Carole King
Elvis Costello
I don’t know about ever but there sure are some good songwriters.
Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Prince, Willie Dixon, Jamey Johnson, Gary Nicholson
Liam Gallagher or Noel Gallagher
The Best, I can't decide. But Bernie Taupin is in the top lists.
Lennon / McCartney
Roger waters
By far the best lyricist ever. But gilmour had the music magic
I like the guys who write huge hits at 16: Jackson Browne; Todd Rundgren.
Elton and Bernie
Bob Dylan, John Lennon & Paul McCartney
I keep reevaluating Morrissey.
Taylor Swift - All Too Well 10 min version is a masterpiece
Elliott Smith
yes.
Whoever it is, it's at least two people. Nobody's the best composer and lyricist
Bob Dylan
Dylan, Springsteen, Van Morrison
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