Best Songwriter?

#1
Burhead

Burhead

God-Emperor of Politics
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#1
Dylan? Costello? Morrissey? Lennon/McCartney? Someone else?

I've been thinking about this for awhile now and wanted some thoughts? Who do you think is the best songwriter out there and why?
 
#3
#3
I have always been partial to Dylan. I can't explain why, other than I know what I like. I'm a fan of songs that tell compelling stories.

Your list is pretty good. I would add Roger Waters.
 
#4
#4
Also, he probably doesn't belong with those guys, but maybe best all around songwriter in hip-hop would be Andre 3000.
 
#6
#6
Who would it be in your opinion? Like I said, I like good storytellers.
 
#9
#9
n_huffhines said:
Also, he probably doesn't belong with those guys, but maybe best all around songwriter in hip-hop would be Andre 3000.
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If we're being completely honest to the profession, the best lyricists are all rappers/hip hop artists considering the average length of their verses compared to other musicians. Old school people won't like it, but it doesn't change the fact that they have to keep your attention much longer and to a harder rhythm (or an actual one unlike some musicians do).


Back to the idea of rock/older musicians though, this conversation needs Don Henley and John Fogerty.
 
#11
#11
Daloth said:
If we're being completely honest to the profession, the best lyricists are all rappers/hip hop artists considering the average length of their verses compared to other musicians. Old school people won't like it, but it doesn't change the fact that they have to keep your attention much longer and to a harder rhythm (or an actual one unlike some musicians do).


Back to the idea of rock/older musicians though, this conversation needs Don Henley and John Fogerty.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on that one.

Songwriting is more than just lyrical content, right? Andre 3000 creates melodies and beats that have as wide appeal as anybody in hip hop.
 
#13
#13
A proper measure for how good/great a songwriter is the number of times that song gets covered by other artists/bands. This list is endless of these people but I do find it laughable that we have some believing their favorite hip-hop/rap artists falls into this category.

Lennon/McCartney
Willie Nelson
Burt Bacharach
Pat Metheny
Miles Davis
George Gershwin
Ira Gershwin
John Williams
Elton John/Bernie Taupin
Cole Porter

Simply too many to list
 
#14
#14
114VOL said:
A proper measure for how good/great a songwriter is the number of times that song gets covered by other artists/bands. This list is endless of these people but I do find it laughable that we have some believing their favorite hip-hop/rap artists falls into this category.

Lennon/McCartney
Willie Nelson
Burt Bacharach
Pat Metheny
Miles Davis
George Gershwin
Ira Gershwin
John Williams
Elton John/Bernie Taupin
Cole Porter

Simply too many to list
Click to expand...

Tupac, Eminem, Nas, etc. would all like words with you on how often they get sampled/covered. In fact, if we're talking pure numbers (which is what you imply), hip hop people get their beats and songs sampled more than any other, so, by your own logic, the best hip hop artists belong at the very top if your list.
 
#15
#15
Donald F agen and Walter Becker, the two guys who are the main ingredient to Steely Dan. Began their careers writing out of the Brill Building in NYC, did a bit for Jay and the Americans. Connections include Poco, Rickie Lee Jones, Manhattan Transfer, Diana Ross, Yellowjackets, The Band, Levon Helm. The riff in their song "Kid Charlemagne" was sampled by Kanye West in the song "Champion."

Foosball related, Steely Dan is the band that did "Deacon Blues." You know: "They got a name for the winners in the world. I want a name when I lose. They call Alabama the Crimson Tide. Just call me Deacon Blues."
 
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#18
#18
I also can't believe it never hit my head before but

Prince and Stevie Wonder belong on here for something.

And we could probably argue MJ a bit, not entirely obviously, but dude did do Thriller. Thriller.
 
#20
#20
Daloth said:
Tupac, Eminem, Nas, etc. would all like words with you on how often they get sampled/covered. In fact, if we're talking pure numbers (which is what you imply), hip hop people get their beats and songs sampled more than any other, so, by your own logic, the best hip hop artists belong at the very top if your list.
Click to expand...

Covered by whom? Hip hop artists covering each other doesn't count, but I've certainly heard a number of others covered by samples in hip-hop/rap
 
#21
#21
114VOL said:
Covered by whom? Hip hop artists covering each other doesn't count, but I've certainly heard a number of others covered by samples in hip-hop/rap
Click to expand...

You don't get to decide who does or doesn't count. You made a blanket statement and it was completely incorrect. More hip hop and rap artists get covered daily than any other. And that's considering the fact the great bands like the Eagles, Bad Company, beatles, Aerosmith, etc, have been around for 25 more years (or 40 in some instances) than others.

Just because you don't like rap or hip hop doesn't negate the fact that there are great writers and lyricists in the business. Hell, I hate country music with a passion, but that doesn't mean there aren't good writers or storytellers in that group.

If you don't like it or don't know enough about it to discuss it, then simply avoid discussing it so you won't look dumb. The fact is, there are great writers in ALL genres, even the ones you don't like.
 
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#25
#25
Not saying these guys rank on the list of all time greats, but if you are asking about good songwriting -- the telling of a great story in a song -- you need to listen to the Drive-By Truckers (Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley) and also former member Jason Isbell and his new album Southeastern. Extremely talented songwriters all with different styles.
 
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