Elliot Smith Ben Folds
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
Bob Dylan Death Cab for Cutie Radiohead
Posted by Eduardo St. Elmo (Member # 9566) on :
Daniel Johns Ian Anderson
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
I hate to go all "hatrackian" on you, but could you clarify...
Do you want lyricists, music composers, or does it have to be the all around package of music & lyrics?
I assume we're talking popular music of the current-ish era...
(Just needing some clarification).
Thx.
Posted by Jonathan Howard (Member # 6934) on :
quote:Lennon/McCartney Simon & Garfunkel
Can't srgue with that, assuming certain things which Bob wants clarified...
Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :
quote:Lennon/McCartney Simon & Garfunkel
They're sorta a given. I would add near the top of my list:
Eve 6 Barenaked Ladies
I'm not sure who specifically did the writing for them.
Posted by Jonathan Howard (Member # 6934) on :
Enya...
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Harry Chapin is close to the top as a storyteller/lyricist. His music was very good for his stories but nothing I'd otherwise consider great.
Musically, GnR did some great things layering different elements together to complex music with many different aspects. Boston did a lot of that, too. Neither produced enough to be the greatest of all time, though.
When I think of best-written popular songs, I don't get a lot of repeats at the top of the list, so it's hard to pick a single songwriter.
Posted by Dav (Member # 8217) on :
My personal favorites are the members of Rush: Geddy Lee / Alex Lifeson / Neil Peart. They combine complex yet accessible arrangements with thoughtful lyrics in a way that really draws me into their songs.
But is "favorite" the same as "best"? There probably are songwriters whose music I've never heard, who would make the top of my list if I did hear them.
Posted by Avadaru (Member # 3026) on :
I second Elliot Smith. Also Rufus Wainwright, Tori Amos, Saul Williams, Brian Molko (of Placebo), sam Roberts, Cat Stevens, and many many more that I'm sure I'll think of later.
Posted by TL (Member # 8124) on :
I'd agree with Bob Dylan, for sure. Has anyone ever written a better song than 'knocking on heaven's door'? I don't know.
(that was him, right?)
Also Lennon/McCartney (but more Lennon than McCartney)
Posted by Fitz (Member # 4803) on :
Lennon/McCartney is a given.
I don't know about best, but Van Morrison is one of my favorites.
Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :
I'm going to say Queen and particularly Freddie Mercury are among my favorites, and haven't been mentioned yet. I love the melodies and layering in so many of the songs.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I second Harry Chapin.
I would also suggest John Mellencamp, Billy Joel, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, Garth Brooks, and Mary Chapin Carpenter.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Ooh, I forgot Joni Mitchell.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
And Bruce Springsteen.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Well, Lennon/McCartney have already been listed and re-listed.
I'll add Kate Wolf, Stan Rogers, Bruce "Utah" Phillips, Mary McCaslin, and Iris DeMent.
Posted by Princess Leah (Member # 6026) on :
I put in a vote for George Harrison, maybe THE most major unacknowledged songwriter. I flinch everytime I hear the anecdote of Frank Sinatra introducing "Something" as his favorite Lennon/McCartney song.
Also, Tom Petty, for some fantastic songs, plus reliable good ones.
Leonard Cohen...um... Bryan Ferry, David Bowie... and I second Tori Amos.
Posted by Princess Leah (Member # 6026) on :
Ooh! Sondheim. Jagger/Richards, Brian Jones.
(aside: has anyone else noticed a proliferation of Brians in popular music?)
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
You beat me to it with George Harrison, Princess.
Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :
I can't believe I almost forgot Brian Wilson.
Posted by Princess Leah (Member # 6026) on :
See? Brian.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Kurt Cobain
Posted by Cashew (Member # 6023) on :
George and Ira Gershwin Lennon/McCartney Paul Simon Joni Mitchell Carole King Mark Knopfler James Taylor Burt Bacharach
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Oh, yes, Paul Simon! Paul Simon is an incredible songwriter.
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
John Hiatt John Prine Bruce Springsteen Van Morrison Jerry Garcia + Robert Hunter Bob Dylan Neil Young Jackie Greene Jeb Puryear/Tara Nevins Carole King Joni Mitchell Rikki Lee Jones Crow Greenspun Jennie Stearns
Posted by Luet13 (Member # 9274) on :
In no particular order: Cole Porter George and Ira Gershwin Lennon/McCartney George Harrison Paul Simon Nick Drake Thom Yorke Björk Tupac Shakur Freddie Mercury Pink Floyd Brian Wilson Franz Shubert J.S. Bach Tori Amos Ani Difranco
Posted by TL (Member # 8124) on :
Pink Floyd meaning Roger Waters Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett Pink Floyd, or David Gilmour Pink Floyd?
(I'll assume Waters)
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Gilbert and Sullivan Andrew Lloyd Weber
Posted by Luet13 (Member # 9274) on :
TL: Waters Pink Floyd. Forgot to specify.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Bob Marley
Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :
For Bob.
When I think of "songwriter", it's definitely a package...
The music and lyrics have to work together well. The songs can't just have great music or great lyrics.
A "best" songwriter has to have repeatability--consistently great songs, with very few (if any) duds.
Lastly, I think the best songwriter has to have a large quantity of published music. At least 4-5 albums.
Thanks to everyone who's posting--there's quite a few on here I haven't heard of and a bunch I haven't heard enough of. I was just curious as to what most people liked.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Frank Zappa is a big YES.
Posted by Cashew (Member # 6023) on :
Yeah, I'll second Zappa
Posted by Cashew (Member # 6023) on :
Oh, and Donald Fagen (Steely Dan). And if we're going to include people like Schubert and Bach, then I'm going to add: Freddie Hubbard
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
I kind of like Henry Mancini.
Posted by Nighthawk (Member # 4176) on :
quote:Originally posted by Icarus: Ooh, I forgot Joni Mitchell.
I was about to come in here and post that one.
All the others I can think of are listed already.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
The boys of Led Zeppelin.
Posted by Little_Doctor (Member # 6635) on :
Did Billy Joel write his own stuff? If so, I'd nominate him, or whoever wrote it.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
My personal favorites (some of which have already been listed:
Lennon/McCartney George Harrison Sara McClaughlin k.d. lange Joni Mitchell Ray Davies Willie Nelson Arlo Guthrie Woody Guthrie Ian Anderson David Bowie Lou Reed Nat King Cole Handel Mozart Ry Cooder Peter Gabriel Steve Winwood Steve Winwood/Jim Capaldi The Eagles (collectively) Joe Walsh Jennie Stearns (thanks Elizabeth) Richie Stearns (and again) John McCutcheon John Fogerty Michael Jackson Stevie Wonder Lionel Richie Eminem Susan Tadeschi Brian Eno Cyndi Lauper Harry Nilsson Eric Clapton Bryan Ferry Jagger/Richards Elton John Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Neil Young TMBG (The two Marks) Mark Knopfler
I may think of others...
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Todd Snider Jerry Jeff Walker Richard Thompson Warren Zevon Johnny Dowd John Denver(yes, John Denver!)
Posted by Nighthawk (Member # 4176) on :
quote:Originally posted by Little_Doctor: Did Billy Joel write his own stuff? If so, I'd nominate him, or whoever wrote it.
Yes, he did, and he's been mentioned.
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Johnny Cash Cheryl Wheeler
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
If I had Billy Joel on my list, it would be early Billy Joel, BCB. (Before Christy Brinkley)
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Danny Elfman
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
I'm a fan of Randy Bachman.
And Loreena McKennitt.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Brian Johnson
Posted by Luet13 (Member # 9274) on :
Ooh, David Bowie! I don't know how I forgot him. I love me some David Bowie.
Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :
Has Danny Elfman written SONGS?
curious.
Posted by Eduardo St. Elmo (Member # 9566) on :
Captain Beefheart
Posted by Tristan (Member # 1670) on :
Benny Andersson and Björn Ulveus.
Posted by calaban (Member # 2516) on :
Dave Matthews
Posted by JLM (Member # 7800) on :
I must concur that Lennon and McCartney were the best composers of contemporary songs of our time. The Beatle's music collection is almost 40 years old and it still has a significant impact on current music trends. Their songs have been covered more than any other. Their songs were both experimental and accessable, and timeless. My grandparents (who are 80) enjoy most of the same Beatle tunes that my 10 year old son does. No body of work of any other pair of contemporary song writers have maintained such broad appeal for such a long period of time.
Posted by Mama Squirrel (Member # 4155) on :
Richard Carpenter
I didn't remember that Garth Brooks wrote any songs.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
quote:Originally posted by Launchywiggin: Has Danny Elfman written SONGS?
curious.
The soundtrack for The Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
He cowrote a lot of his hits.[edit -- re: Garth Brooks] But if he goes on this list, so should Pat Alger (his writing/producing partner).
I also concur about George Harrison -- he's too often overlooked in favor of the more prolific Lennon/McCartney duo.
I personally think John Mayer's phrasing is pure genius, too.
Carole King is way up on my list.
Posted by Baron Samedi (Member # 9175) on :
quote:Originally posted by Launchywiggin: Has Danny Elfman written SONGS?
curious.
Ever heard of a little group called Oingo Boingo? Posted by striplingrz (Member # 9770) on :
In no particular order:
Jimmy Page/Robert Plant Gilby Clarke/Axl Rose Roger Waters Chris Robinson (Black Crowes) Eddie Vedder
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
Name-dropping thread aka "Let me show off my obscure musical tastes" thread.
Posted by Dobbie (Member # 3881) on :
Cole Porter Sammy Cahn Irving Berlin
Posted by Shanna (Member # 7900) on :
I'm glad Alcon said it, so I won't feel like such a dork but I do adore the Barenaked Ladies. I've always been a sucker for good lyrical writing and their use of imagery and irony is perfect for my tastes.
To answer Alcon though, with most Barenaked Ladies songs whoever sings lead vocal is usually the original writer though there's alot of collaboration with other members of the band when fine-tuning the song. There are some exceptions, for example, on the latest album the song "Sound of Your Voice" was written by keyboardist Kevin Hearn who did sing it originally before it was passed to Steven Page to provide vocals. Steven and Ed Robertson are the biggest contributors when it comes to song-writing, followed by Kevin Hearn (who has such an unusual style), followed by bassist Jim Creegan who recently wrote the beautiful "Peterbourough and the Kwarthas." Tyler Stewart the drummer brings up the back providing beats for wayward songs.
Yeah, I'm a BNL dork.
Posted by SoaPiNuReYe (Member # 9144) on :
Nas when Illmatic first came out.
(yes I'm serious)
Posted by Pelegius (Member # 7868) on :
I am surprised Leonard Cohen is not here yet..... He is now. "Suzanne" and "Hallelujah" are masterpieces. John Stewart is more obscure than Cohen, but also more talented. Don Mclean has only written a few good songs, but how good they were!
Posted by Mintieman (Member # 4620) on :
Umm Primal, very few of the people nominated have been obscure at all. Perhaps you're unfamiliar with the names of the song writers that go with the famous bands they hail from, or the hits they have written?
Nas, I have to dispute. I mean, the quality of the songs aren't in doubt, but the actual quality of the songs doesn't hail from his songwriting ability (which is IMHO, relatively generic), but rather from his absurdly skilful flow. Perhaps a better candidate would be The Fugees, or The Roots?