I know a lot of the poster base is big on music topics, so i wanted to do this thread to see how many of you judge songwriting and appreciate it. The only catch to my version of this topic is no writing teams are to be included...mainly because Lennon/McCartney is the only acceptable number 1. The other reason is we don't really know who did what in the process so it is better to judge individual skill IMO. Take Lennon and McCartney post Beatles one did Imagine, Beautiful Boy, Working Class Hero the other did Jet, Ebony and Ivory and Silly Love Songs, so we can see that one member of the "team" heavily carried the other. However if you want to include a writer post teamwork that is acceptable


All forms of musical writing are acceptable, I am not going to say one type of writing is better than the other. The list can be as long as you want, I am just doing a top ten for now, though my list has 11 names.


My Top Ten

1. Robert Zimmerman
2. Johnny Cash
3. John Lennon
4. Bob Marley
5. Randy Newman
6. Woody Guthrie
7. Warren Zevon
8. Curtis Mayfield
9. Hank Williams
T-10 Lead Belly
T-10 Elvis Costello

Bowie, Lennon, McCartney...too tired to think of more now...

Zimmerman and Lennon are the ones I go with. I dont know too much about this topic.

My Top Ten

1. Robert Zimmerman
2. Johnny Cash
3. John Lennon
4. Bob Marley
5. Randy Newman
6. Woody Guthrie
7. Warren Zevon
8. Curtis Mayfield
9. Hank Williams
T-10 Lead Belly
T-10 Elvis Costello

Curtis mayfield would be higher on my list. I also would add Marvin Gaye.


Hank Williams didnt impress me though. I'm a lil' surprised you put Marley up there, though i dont disagree.

Can people post either the names of some songs or the lyrics so those that don't know can be educated?

I can't recall any songs written by almost half of JS's list, though all the names are familiar.

Whoever wrote "Tequila" was brilliant.

1. Bob Dylan Lyrics- http://bobdylan.com/songs/

2. Johnny Cash- http://www.johnnycash.com/

3.Lennon http://www.oldielyrics.com/j/john_lennon.html

4. Marley- http://www.oldielyrics.com/b/bob_marley.html

5. Newman- http://www.randynewman.com/

6. Guthrie- http://www.geocities.com/Nashville/3448/guthrie.html

7. Zevon- http://www.warrenzevon.com/

8. Mayfield- http://www.lyricsdownload.com/curtis-mayfield-lyrics.html

9. Hank Williams Sr.- http://www.hankwilliams.com/

10. Lead Belly- http://www.lyricsdownload.com/leadbelly-lyrics.html

10. Costello- http://www.elviscostello.com/

Sarah (http://www.azlyrics.com/m/mclachlan.html)

As far as the songs go, for me my favorites aren't hits in all cases so it wouldn't help too much listing them.

Although I feel everything Dylan is great favorites are Jokerman, Desolation Row and Hurricane to name a few. Cash Folsom Blues, Walk the Line, and Man in Black. Lennon everything on Sometime in NY, God and Imagine. Marley Buffalo Soldiers, Rat Race and Redemption Song. Newman Germany after the War, Poltical Science and Louisanna 1927. Guthrie- everything but folk music is an acquired taste, Tom Joad is a compelling entry into his world. 7. Zevon. Mutineer, Toland the Headless Thompson gunner, and Things to do in Denver when your Dead. Mayfield- Pusherman, Move on Up. HWSR- Lost Highway, Lovesick Blues, and Prodigal Son. LB Where did you sleep last night?, lastly EC everything..

Sarah (http://www.azlyrics.com/m/mclachlan.html)

Was anyone else hoping that was a Jefferson Starship reference?

These lists are always impossible IMO. Paul Simon would be on a list of mine (though I wouldn't make one because I'm not into it enough).

Lou Reed
Jim Morrison
Bob Dylan
Morissey
Lennon & McCartney
Neil Young
Roger Waters
Robert Plant
David Bowie
Kurt Cobain

That's in no order whatsoever.

First of don't be so sure that Lennon/McCartney are the only acceptible number 1. They have competition.

I'll say...

1. Elton John - Daniel, Your Song, Circle of Life... He's a great song writer.
2. Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life alone puts him here.
3. Bob Dylan - Can't do anything but write.
4. Curtis Mayfield - Don't worry, Freddie's Dead... guy was hardcore.
5. Marvin Gay - Less grimey version of Curtis.
6. Johnny Cash - Made country gangsta somehow.
7. Burt Bacharach - So many classics.
8. Carole King - Might've invented pop as we know it.
9. Brian Wilson - Didn't even really surf.
10. D4L - Shake that Laffy Taffy!!! (how profound).

Oh man how the hell did I forget about Jim Morrison? He was brilliant. Edited.

Stevie Wonder. Money. He's in ym top 5 for sure. Good call, Koolaid.

Stevie Wonder. Money. He's in ym top 5 for sure. Good call, Koolaid.

Actually I can see some people leaving Stevie out. I'm more surprised everyone ignored Elton John.

I guess nobody wanted to give credit to the gay dude.

Van Morrison should at least be mentioned. He has a ridiculous canon of material.

Burt Bacharach
Lieber & Stoller
Johnny Cash
Robert Plant
Johnette Napolitano
Cobain

In no particular order:

Jimi Hendrix
Stevie Wonder
John Lennon
Elton John
Robert Plant
Bob Marley
Prince
Sarah McLachlan
Bono
Michael Jackson
Bob Dylan
Dave Grohl
Sam Cooke
Billy Corgan

Billy Squier all the way. Anyone who can work "Stroke me" into a song deserves honorable mention in my book.

i forgot the best one...


Blowfly !!!

if you don't know about Blowfly you should learn.

Jack White is defiantely one of the best of this generation.

Jack White is defiantely one of the best of this generation.
when he wants to be. but thats only half the time. the other half he's being a dickhead and not giving a shit what he says....ooooohhhhhhh i think i smell a rat!!!!

http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/tv_pix/grammys/grammy_award_arrivals_2005_photos/_group_photos/jack_white11.jpg

Jack White is defiantely one of the best of this generation.
when he wants to be. but thats only half the time. the other half he's being a dickhead and not giving a shit what he says....ooooohhhhhhh i think i smell a rat!!!!

http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/tv_pix/grammys/grammy_award_arrivals_2005_photos/_group_photos/jack_white11.jpg

Yeah, the lyrics are stupid, but its still a great song.

Dylan, Cohen, Neil Young, Nick Drake, Nick Cave, Phil Lynott, Tom Waits, Townes Van Zandt, Lennon, McCartney, Gin Blossoms...