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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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I would also suggest John Mellencamp, Billy Joel, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, Garth Brooks, and Mary Chapin Carpenter.
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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.
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George and Ira Gershwin Lennon/McCartney Paul Simon Joni Mitchell Carole King Mark Knopfler James Taylor Burt Bacharach
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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...
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Todd Snider Jerry Jeff Walker Richard Thompson Warren Zevon Johnny Dowd John Denver(yes, John Denver!)
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