Who are the best modern lyricists?

[Slow Moving Vehicle]

De gustibus non disputantem, of course, but I've always preferred songwriters who are great lyricists - who can knock you on your butt with imagery or rhetoric or metaphor. And for me, the two best of the last half-century or so are Kris Kristofferson and Ani DiFranco. My evidence? Check out Casey's Last Ride by the former, and Fuel by the latter.

I would also throw Suzanne Vega and Harry Chapin in the discussion as well...

Any one suggest anyone else?

[Tim R. Mortiss]

I've always thought that Elvis Costello had the sharpest, smartest, and most intriguing lyrics in pop music. I think of him as the modern-day Cole Porter.......TRM

[Johnny L.A.]

Shane MacGowan

[Slow Moving Vehicle]

I've always thought that Elvis Costello had the sharpest, smartest, and most intriguing lyrics in pop music. I think of him as the modern-day Cole Porter.......TRM

I'm embarrassed to say I don't know Elvis Costello as well as I should, but I do think Veronica is a devastatingly heart-rending depiction of senile dementia.

[twickster]

Ditto on Elvis Costello, and ditto on the Cole Porter comparison -- he does some wonderfully witty wordplay.

I'm a new member of Andrew Bird's fan club. Just this morning, for unrelated reasons, I looked for the lyrics to his song "Fiery Crash." (http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858654087/)

[jjimm]

Shane MacGowanSeconded.

Craig Finn is pretty amazing. How good is this?It started recreational,
It ended kinda medical.
It came on hot and soft
And then it tightened up its tentacles.
The band played screaming for vengance
And we agreed: this world is mostly manacled.
It started ice cream social nice,
It ended up all white and ecumenical.The song goes on to mirror the "recrational/medical" line with "It started in the vestibule/ and ended in the hospital". Clever as fuck.

(Define "modern" though.)

[Endymion]

Depends what you mean by "modern" lyricist.

If you count the past half century, I think my vote would probably go to Bob Dylan. However, if "modern" really means "currently relevant," then my vote would probably go to Jay-Z.

[Busy Scissors]

Costello is a great shout.

Two other standouts over the past 30 years are Shane MacGowan and Morrisey.

Morrissey is really the governor. Can't think of a band that's even in the same league as the Smiths for lyrics in the past 30 years. Despite my usrname, I'm not some a Smiths tragic, but lyrically they really are exceptional.

The Pogues are more of a one man band, less musically relevant than the Smiths. Shane's lyrics are definitely more in the singer-as-poet vein, but 'king hell. The Boys from the County Hell or The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn - can songs like these be matched in the modern era?

[Gary Baldy]

Is there no love for Bob Dylan here?

[ivan astikov]

Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout has always been a fave of mine.

[Slow Moving Vehicle]

(Define "modern" though.)

By modern, I had in mind Fifties to present. You really couldn't call Kris Kristofferson "relevant" today - but his lyrics still stand up.

[Labdad]

John Hiatt's lyrics never cease to amaze me.

[Rrose Selavy]

Howard Devoto

[jjimm]

By modern, I had in mind Fifties to present. You really couldn't call Kris Kristofferson "relevant" today - but his lyrics still stand up.Can we include Tom Lehrer then? :)

[Erdosain]

Morrissey is really the governor. Can't think of a band that's even in the same league as the Smiths for lyrics in the past 30 years. Despite my usrname, I'm not some a Smiths tragic, but lyrically they really are exceptional.

I agree, but I probably am a Smiths tragic. Also, funny since your username is from a Morrissey song, not a Smiths song. I think some of Moz's early solo work was even better lyrically than many Smiths songs.

Unfortunately, he's nowhere near where he used to be, but no one can be on top forever. He has had some real howlers lately though, such as "I could go on, but you get the general idea." :dubious:

[MPB in Salt Lake]

Bob Dylan, Robert Hunter, Van Morrison are the Holy Trinity to all serious music lovers. (PERIOD)

Paul Simon, Neil Young, and Bruce Springsteen should also be venerated............

[Hodge]

Criminally over-looked Ron Sexsmith (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Sexsmith).

[Slow Moving Vehicle]

Can we include Tom Lehrer then? :)

Abso-freaking-lutely. He was brilliant.

[Gamaliel]

*ahem*

Lennon/McCartney, people.


Other teams I'd throw out that haven't been mentioned yet would be Joe Strummer/Mick Jones and Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller.

[Slow Moving Vehicle]

Bob Dylan, Robert Hunter, Van Morrison are the Holy Trinity to all serious music lovers. (PERIOD)

Paul Simon, Neil Young, and Bruce Springsteen should also be venerated............

I agree about Paul Simon and Bruce Springsteen, but I'm sorry - Bob Dylan is not in the same league as Ani DiFranco.

[Marley23]

David Byrne and Tom Waits were the first two to come to mind. I'm a big Neil Young fan also. I keep meaning to check out Costello but I haven't gotten around to it.

[CoolHandCox]

Daniel Hutchens from the band Bloodkin. Range of song lyrics, but always a southern underbelly. Here's a link to their songs/lyrics (http://www.bloodkin.net/Bloodkin.net/Lyrics.html).

He has hundreds of great lyrics, but here are a couple lyrics below

[describes his mother]

"with a touch of Old Testament iron
and a whiff of wild Rhododendron"

or
[life in general]
it's hard keeping faith
when the world is such a whore

or
[waiting on God to talk to him]
so I'll polish up my rifle
bless each bullet with a kiss
stare for hours out the window
waiting for somebody I can't miss
I am the hand of retribution
I am the cobra coiled to strike
waiting til I get my signal
I wonder if tonight's the night

[Anamorphic]

Shane MacGowan

Seconded.Thirded.

[Biffy the Elephant Shrew]

Costello and Leonard Cohen. With a tip o' the hat to Tom Waits and Joni Mitchell.

[Joe Kerrman]

All the names everyone brought up here are great. Anyone who remembers me knows Bob Dylan is my favoritest ever, so of course I think he's the tops, mainly if you're into creative imagery and not much plot.

Among those not yet mentioned, I believe Rhett Miller does most of the lyrics writing for the Old 97s, and I'd have to say he deserves a big shout out.

On school days in "Friends Forever":

"The 12 years after 5, the years you're lucky to survive."
...
"Went out for the football team
Found out the hard way not to live your dad's dream
Then I found a guitar and the rest's a fanzine."

From "Won't Be Home No More"

"You're a bottlecap away from pushing me too far.
This problem's getting big and it's a compact car."

I just like that image of a bottlecap, because if you hold it in your fingers people always say you're this close to pushing me too far and, yeah, a bottlecap fits in there.

Colin Meloy also does a fine job for The Decemberists, but his stuff is just so f**king grim.

[Invisible Chimp]

Ditto Elvis Costello and Leonard Cohen.

I nominate Richard Thompson and Robbie Fulks.

[Biffy the Elephant Shrew]

I nominate Richard Thompson

Good choice!

[RealityChuck]

Billy Joel. If he had concentrated on Broadway shows, he would have blown Stephen Sondheim out of the water.

Others not mentioned so far: Keith Reid (of Procol Harum), Lyle Lovett.

[Terraplane]

Sam Beam of Iron and Wine writes some good stuff. A lot of it is more imagery than narrative, but I think it's just great.

This one is mostly southern gothic imagery, it's a good drivin' down a long dirt road song.

Woman King, Full Lyrics (http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Woman-King-lyrics-Iron-Wine/EBA4AECE9AA1D54A48256F710009E971), YouTube clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8obrc0eA6gk)

blackbird claw, raven wing
under the red sunlight
long clothesline, two shirt sleeves
waving as we go by

...

black hoof mare, broken leg
eye on the shot gun shell
age old dog, hornet nest
built in the big church bell

This one is a bit more narrative-ish.

Upward Over the Mountain, Full lyrics (http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/ironwine/upwardoverthemountain.html), YouTube clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Kh09MuIfIU)

Mother don't worry, I killed the last snake that lived in the creek bed
Mother don't worry, I've got some money I saved for the weekend
Mother remember being so stern with that girl who was with me
Mother remember the blink of an eye when I breathed through your body

...

Mother I made it up from the bruise on the floor of this prison
Mother I lost it all of the fear of the Lord I was given
Mother forget me now that the creek drank the cradle you sang to
Mother forgive me I sold your car for the shoes that I gave you

[woodstockbirdybird]

Thirded.

Fourthed. He and Elvis Costello were the first two that sprang to mind. Morrissey's a good pick, as well. I always found Dylan overrated. Lou Reed's done some great work, as well.

[theoldman]

I agree about Paul Simon and Bruce Springsteen, but I'm sorry - Bob Dylan is not in the same league as Ani DiFranco.

holy smokes that was funny

[Johnny Q]

Stephin Merritt is pretty good.

[pancakes3]

this is a pretty lax definition of "modern" isn't it? i would be hard pressed to list any lyricists that aren't "modern".

+1 on the iron&wine lyrics. the Boss may have endearing lyrics, but i'm not sure if he's epically great. mellencamp's a better songwriter.

[Oakminster]

I'd probably vote for Dylan, with much love for Gordon Lightfoot, and, of course, the late Ronnie Van Zant.

[kingbighair]

I am going to go with Bjork.

[koeeoaddi]

Costello and Leonard Cohen. With a tip o' the hat to Tom Waits and Joni Mitchell.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, ...and Patty Griffin.

[blondebear]

I think Adam Schlesinger (of Fountains of Wayne) deserves a mention. Besides writing or co-writing many of FOW's songs, he's done notable work for movies (That Thing You Do, Music and Lyrics), TV (A Colbert Christmas), and theater (John Waters' Cry Baby ).

[ctywkr]

I have to agree with most of the people in this thread.

I have to add three.

Warren Zevon,
Kevin Gilbert,
Frank Zappa.

[Sam Stone]

Ahem.

Warren Zevon and John Prine.

Any list that doesn't have both of them in the top 10 isn't worth the photons needed to display it.

[The Second Stone]

Bob Dylan, Robert Hunter, Van Morrison are the Holy Trinity to all serious music lovers. (PERIOD)

Paul Simon, Neil Young, and Bruce Springsteen should also be venerated............

I've gotta agree with Hunter Thompson that "Mr. Tambourine Man" has the best lyrics of any song I've ever heard. And Bob Dylan isn't on my 10 albums to bring to a desert island. Head and shoulders best lyrics ever. I am very fond of the lyrics of all MPB's pick's, except Paul Simon, whom I only like. I agree with Paul about his own lyrics from the old days: embarrassingly pretentious when looked back on and could only be loved by a teenager.

[ctywkr]

My list should have had four names on it.
I did forget John Prine.
I am an Idiot!!!

[kenobi 65]

Leonard Cohen

Bruce Cockburn (not terribly well known in the US, but huge in his native Canada)

[In Winnipeg]

Lennon and McCartney, Dylan, Cohen, Phil Ochs.

[GameHat]

You all get -1 for neglecting to mention Beck (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beck)

Sea Change (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hifqxqtaldhe) was a fucking masterpiece of a breakup album.

These days...I barely get by
I don't even try

[JThunder]

The late, great Howard Ashman.

[MerryMagdalen]

Lou Reed. Leonard Cohen. And Robyn Hitchcock.

[MrDibble]

Billy Bragg
Nick Cave
Dido (I am not joking here - Thank You is a great song)

[EinsteinsHund]

Post #48, and I'm the first to mention Ray Davies?

[MostlyClueless]

I am going to go with Bjork.

Yes.

[Sigmagirl]

John Hiatt's lyrics never cease to amaze me.

I came in to say John Hiatt.

[wolf-alice]

My other husband, John Darnielle (http://www.4ad.com/themountaingoats/profile/).

I am drowning
There is no sign of land
You are coming down with me
Hand in unlovable hand

Please get into him; the Mountain Goats are marvellous. Sometimes it's the delivery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK2zYgZcP2k), but he's lyrically, in my opinion, top-notch engaging stuff. I've never seen an audience inspired to belt out I hope you die, I hope we both die with such genuine affection.

[MPB in Salt Lake]

Since he hasnt been mentioned, I will add my 2 cents that Sting (though he may personally be a pompous jackass) wrote some incredibly insightful lyrics when he was with the Police (his solo stuff, not so much) and that in the late 70's-early 80's, the Police were about the most literate, lyrically significant rock band around............

[The Second Stone]

Since he hasnt been mentioned, I will add my 2 cents that Sting (though he may personally be a pompous jackass) wrote some incredibly insightful lyrics when he was with the Police (his solo stuff, not so much) and that in the late 70's-early 80's, the Police were about the most literate, lyrically significant rock band around............

I think his solo lyrics are better. More mature, less heavy handed.

[gaffa]

Lyricists who don't get anywhere near the respect they deserve:

Kirsty MacColl. She was a genius lyricist, the female Elvis Costello. Some samples:

Big Boy on a Saturday Night
The last of England's spoiled brats, grand order of the gutter rats
A big fish in a public house
You're never going to learn to shut your mouth
A silly pseudo lager lout with nothing much to shout about
Spent hours looking in the mirror trying to perfect the perfect pout
Now take the spotlight and pause for your applause
Well my oh my you're such a big boy on a Saturday night

The internal rhymes, the alliteration, the structure...

[stpauler]

Greg Brown (http://www.gregbrown.org/gblyrics.html) is a legacy songwriter whose lyrics express so much without feel "fancy". From "The Poet Game", a song that talks about love and loss:
I had a friend who drank too much
and played too much guitar -
and we sure got along.
Reel-to-reels rolled across
the country near and far
with letters poems and songs..
but these days he don't talk to me
and he won't tell me why.
I miss him every time i say his name.
I don't know what he's doing
or why our friendship died
while we played the poet game.

Natalie Merchant/10,000 Maniacs (http://www.nataliemerchant.com/r/the-wishing-chair/lyrics/among-the-americans) always seems to be ignored when it comes to these lists. Her topics revolve around heavier ideas and I've always been impressed that she can do it without being heavyhanded or trite. In
"Among the Americans" she recounts the Cherokee's trail of tears and uses their word for President Andrew Jackson
Suddenly, they were told to leave-

As the snake uncoiled on a road
the length was eighty miles
wagons' weary horses
lead the feverish exiles
barefoot in the early snow
on a ridge
where they beheld their home
coarse and barren
not the haven
promised by the Father

Jaksa Chula Harjo

John Wesley Harding does my favorite type of songwriting, mixing topical ideas with a dash of wit. In "Protest Protest Protest", he takes the view of an aged cynic.
I know it must have been easy
When everyone was ready to shout
There was much to complain about
Just get the guitar out
It was “Nixon And Agnew Out!”
Or whatever, but attitudes have changed
And we’re happy in the herd
Now the enemy’s blur
Prick us and we purr
It’s time to choose your words
A bit more wisely

All you wanna do is Protest! Protest! Protest!
Could you be more introspective?
Protest Protest! Protest! It’s only you that’s suspect
That negative attitude will get you nowhere
Nowhere, nowhere, nowhere


Poi Dog Pondering (http://www.platetectonicmusic.com/id122.html) (Frank Orrall) has a way of writing uplifting lyrics without frommage, even if it's about death.
And all around my muscle and all around my bone,
don't incinerate me or seal me from
the dirt which bore me, the bed that which from
the rain falls upon and the fruit comes from
For the dirt is a blanket, no fiery tomb,
No punishment, reward, or pearly white room
And you who say that in death we will pay,
The dead they can't hear a word that you say
Your words are not kind, sober or giving,
they only put fear in the hearts of the living
So put away your tongues and roll up your sleeves,
and pick up your shovel and bury me deep.

There's also: Jill Sobule, Tom Waits, Tim Minchin, Cheryl Wheeler, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Ani DiFranco, Patty Griffin, and I'm sure I'm forgetting some big ones.

[MPB in Salt Lake]

Poi Dog Pondering was SUCH a great band, and the couple of times I saw them play live were absolutely stand out performances...........

I dont know too much about what is going on with Frank Orrall recently, but that guy is seriously talented.

[Mixolydian]

Before this gets too out-of-hand (and methinks it will)...a few I haven't seen mentioned...

Steve Goodman
Jackson Browne
Jay Farrar
and although he technically doesn't fall into the last half century...Chuck Berry.

[MadTheSwine]

Warren Zevon
Paul Simon
Freddie Mercury
Marty Robbins
John Denver
Dolly Parton

[LVBoPeep]

I'm just ditto-ing a few.

Paul Simon- early stuff I really love "Cecilia" but mostly I like the later, solo career songs. There are VERY few albums that I like start from finish without any skipping songs, and Graceland is one of them. But my favorite song of his has to be Hearts and Bones ,I especially love the line: "Mountain passes, slipping into stone". It's simple but it's just something I turn over in my head over and over.

Morrissey/The Smiths: "Don't you know....time's tide will smother you". I didn't know when I was one of those depressed girls with the Hatful of Hollow t-shirt- but twenty years later, I sure as hell know now.

Then I don't know if anyone mentioned him because overall, he may not qualify. But Iggy Pop's The Passenger is my favorite song ever.

Oh, the passenger. He rides and he rides.
He sees things from under glass.
He looks through his window's eye.
He sees the the things he knows are his,
He sees the bright and hollow sky
He sees the city asleep at night
He sees the stars are out tonight.
And all of it is yours and mine....

[koufax]

ricky lee jones

[koufax]

errr I mean Rickie

[PookahMacPhellimey]

Townes van Zandt.

[pepperlandgirl]

I agree about Paul Simon and Bruce Springsteen, but I'm sorry - Bob Dylan is not in the same league as Ani DiFranco.

Hahaha, what?

Townes van Zandt.

I second the hell out of this. He belongs on any Best Lyricist list.

I've seen Jay Farrar was mentioned, and I like him, but I think Jeff Tweedy is better. In fact, I'd put Jeff Tweedy high up on the list with Bob Dylan, Lennon/McCartney, and Paul Simon.

From the abstract of I Am Trying to Break Your Heart

I am an American aquarium drinker
I assassin down the avenue
I'm hiding out in the big city blinking
What was I thinking when I let go of you

Let's forget about the tongue-tied lightning
Let's undress just like cross-eyed strangers
This is not a joke so please stop smiling
What was I thinking when I said it didn't hurt


and She's a Jar

Please beware the quiet front yard
I warned you
Before there were water skies
I warned you not to drive
Dry your eyes, you poor devil

Are there really ones like these?
The ones I dream
Float like leaves
And freeze to spread skeleton wings
I passed through before I knew you

To the more concrete expressions of love and loss like I'll Fight

And if I die, I’ll die, I’ll die alone
On some forgotten hill
Abandoned by the mill
All my blood will spring and spill
I’ll thrash the air, then be still

You’ll wake with a start from a dream
And know that I am gone
You’ll feel it in your heart but not for very long

You’ll rise each day as planned
Your will as your command
And stand each Sunday
A hymnal steady in your hand

And you’ll sing to yourself the rising, falling melody
That you could never read
Without the choir’s lead
Still alone and lost indeed
And your soul will not be free

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Elvis Costello, Dylan, and Townes Van Zandt.

But let us not forget John Prine:

I been brought down to zero, pulled out and put back there.
I sat on a park bench, kissed the girl with the black hair
and my head shouted down to my heart
"You better look out below."

Hey, it ain't such a long drop don't stammer don't stutter
from the diamonds in the sidewalk to the dirt in the gutter
and you carry those bruises
to remind you wherever you go.

Also....

Grampa's on the front lawn staring at a rake
Wondering if his marriage was a terrible mistake

[BigNik]

For consistency, Don Walker, Paul Kelly and John Darnielle in that order, although there are a number of songs whose lyrics blow each of the best of those three out of the water.

Tim Rogers is erratic, but brilliant when he's on form and very underrated.

[Slow Moving Vehicle]

Hahaha, what?


Laugh all you want - Ani DiFranco writes subtle, thought-provoking and moving lyrics that tell a story, which is what I look for in a lyricist. Check out Lost Woman Song:

I opened a bank account when I was nine years old
I closed it when I was eighteen
I gave them every penny that I'd saved
And they gave my blood
And my urine
A number
Now I am sitting in this waiting room
Playing with the toys
I am here to exercise
My freedom of choice.

And then later in the same song:

Under the fierce fluorescent
She offered her hand for me to hold
She offered stability and calm
And I was crushing her palm
Through the pinch pull wincing
My smile unconvincing
On that sterile battlefield that sees
Only casualties
Never heros
My heart hit absolute zero.

I'll put that up against anything Bob Dylan ever wrote any day.

[HongKongFooey]

Maynard James Keenan of Tool belongs on this list.

From 10,000 Days (Wings, pt.2):High is the way, but all eyes are upon the ground.
You were the light and the way they'll only read about.
I only pray, Heaven knows when to lift you out.
Ten thousand days in the fire is long enough;
You're going home.

You're the only one who can hold your head up high,
Shake your fists at the gates saying:
"I've come home now!
Fetch me the spirit, the son, and the father.
Tell them their pillar of faith has ascended.
It's time now!
My time now!
Give me my, give me my wings!"

You are the light and way that they will only read about.

[pepperlandgirl]

Laugh all you want - Ani DiFranco writes subtle, thought-provoking and moving lyrics that tell a story, which is what I look for in a lyricist. Check out Lost Woman Song:
.

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree but I am perplexed by the implication that Bob Dylan doesn't write songs "that tell a story"...let alone songs that are "thought provoking" and "subtle."

[xanthous]

I've always thought that Elvis Costello had the sharpest, smartest, and most intriguing lyrics in pop music. I think of him as the modern-day Cole Porter.......TRM

I need read no further. :cool:

[Electric Warrior]

Matthew Good, formerly of the Matthew Good Band
Crawl from the sea
Wait for some thumbs
A greatness to breed
Build the mall of America
When I was a rat
The rat would be king
I imagined ashes and us alone

Richey Edwards, formerly of the Manic Street Preachers
(just going to link to the lyrics in their entirety - NSFW)
http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/81931/

[MrDibble]

Natalie Merchant/10,000 Maniacs (http://www.nataliemerchant.com/r/the-wishing-chair/lyrics/among-the-americans) always seems to be ignored when it comes to these lists.
Good catch!

[Kizarvexius]

Neil Finn of Split Enz, Crowded House, Finn Brothers, and, of course, his own solo career.

[MsWhatsit]

Dar Williams. No other songwriter can as consistently move me to tears or joy. Her music is really remarkable. If you're interested, check out "February" on YouTube.