# NYT List of the 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [April 28, 2026, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619 "2026-04-28T12:34:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/21 "2026-04-28T16:12:11Z")
_American_ songwriters ffs. Get upset about the right things 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/22 "2026-04-28T16:12:14Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > No Richard Thompson? Englishman ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/23 "2026-04-28T16:13:09Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Yeah, but hasn’t it always been the point of these kinds of lists to generate discussion and argument over why this person was in and this person was not and whether criteria is applied consistently? You’re right. No doubt about it. ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/24 "2026-04-28T16:14:30Z")
Oops! No Jimmy Webb? No Neil Young? No Aimee Mann? etc etc ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/25 "2026-04-28T16:15:41Z")
@Eonwe can I borrow those reading glasses? Although I stand by my statement that it’s a bullshit list. I’ll just substitute Rhett Miller for Thompson. ---
**Author:** ![gregorio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@gregorio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregorio)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/26 "2026-04-28T16:18:50Z")
> [@2\_More\_Bits](#): > > No Neil Young? Try again. . . . Well, I’ll be! ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/27 "2026-04-28T16:23:49Z")
Walter Becker is dead but Donald Fagan is still alive and I’d put Steely Dan lyrics up against anybody’s. Carly Simon was the Noel Coward of her era. She’s mostly forgotten but her songs were jewels of short stories. David Byrne’s lyrics were the necessary complement to the quirky music, both deceptively deeper than at first blush. Were Joni Mitchell and Neil Young left off because they were born in Canada? Bernie Taupin moved to America 50 years ago and like the other two are now American citizens. Was eligibility for President the criterion? ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/28 "2026-04-28T16:29:19Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > David Byrne’s lyrics were the necessary complement to the quirky music, both deceptively deeper than at first blush. Plus he frequently wrote the music as well. ---
**Author:** ![defecthunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/45deac/32.png) [@defecthunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/defecthunter)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/29 "2026-04-28T16:39:43Z")
Any list of songwriters that doesn’t include Neil Young or Joni Mitchell is worthless. ETA: Doh! it’s american songwriters. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/30 "2026-04-28T16:41:08Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Were Joni Mitchell and Neil Young left off because they were born in Canada? Almost certainly … Two other omissions mentioned elsewhere: Neil Diamond and James Taylor. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/31 "2026-04-28T19:34:23Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > Neil Diamond and James Taylor. I don’t like either one, but I recognize them as great songwriters. Better than Young Thug? (I don’t think I’ve ever heard a Young Thug song) ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/32 "2026-04-28T19:45:41Z")
I’m going to put James McMurtry out there–truly one of the best songwriters of Americana. I give you [Choctaw Bingo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBBvXcpMzhk&t=12s) among many, many others. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/33 "2026-04-28T19:57:56Z")
I’ve heard of nine of those thirty. And for several of them that’s it – I recognise the name, but couldn’t tell you a single song they’ve written or performed. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/34 "2026-04-28T20:21:47Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Were Joni Mitchell and Neil Young left off because they were born in Canada? Both Joni and Neil are American citizens. That doesn’t count? mmm ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/35 "2026-04-28T20:40:55Z")
Apparently not, because let’s face it, they’re better songwriters than some of the folks on the list. I like Chic, but Nile Rogers isn’t a better songwriter than Neil Young (who I don’t like, but I recognize as a master songwriter) or Joni Mitchell. ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/36 "2026-04-28T20:47:54Z")
A couple of weeks ago I was looking at Diane Warren songs (she’s on the list). I had never heard of her, but I like a lot of songs she wrote. I guess she is a recently discovered favorite. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/37 "2026-04-28T22:12:17Z")
No Mike Stoller. I wonder who would have gotten bumped if Neil Sedaka and Brian Wilson hadn’t died recently. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/38 "2026-04-29T09:37:09Z")
As a follow up, the NY Times asked some artist to choose their favorites. Here’s a gift link (I only have 7 left, so enjoy it!). > **[See Who Music Industry Leaders Nominated as America’s Greatest Living...](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/04/27/magazine/critics-pick-greatest-american-songwriters.html?unlocked_article_code=1.elA.9WeD.rsW_da1REzMb&smid=url-share)** > > We received more than 250 expert ballots. Explore some of them here. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/39 "2026-04-29T13:31:55Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Although I stand by my statement that it’s a bullshit list. I mean, like I said upthread, that’s the kind of sentiment from _any_ ranking songs/bands/songrwriters list I’ve ever seen. Some people are just not going to make the cut for whatever arbitrary reason. When making a list, you often want to make a list that has diversity of songwriters, genres, include perhaps a dark horse or two (like my favorite Stephin Merritt), and there’s gonna be slews of perfectly defensible choices left off the list. It’s just kind of how it has to work out. So far as I can tell, Rhett Miller wasn’t even mentioned by any of the “music industry leaders” polled in the link above. (I had to look up who he is – I do recognize the band The Old 97s.) You can easily make a Pitchfork-style list of 30 living songwriters arguably better than anyone on this list if you wanted to, but less than 1% of the population would have heard of them. There’s just too much to choose from to make anything like a definitive top 30 or top anything list when it comes to art. Overall, I think this is a reasonable list, but give me another Top 30 with completely different artists on it, and I’d probably think it’s reasonable, too. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619/40 "2026-04-29T13:56:01Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > As a follow up, the NY Times asked some artist to choose their favorites. Motown founder Berry Gordy’s list named some major omissions: **Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff** - Philadelphia International house songwriters for the O’Jays, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Lou Rawls, and many more. **Mike Stoller** – at age 93, the living half of the Leiber & Stoller songwriting team (Elvis Presley, The Drifters, Ben E. King, and loads more). **Jimmy Webb** – “The Kid” at age 79. **[Who didn’t he write for?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_written_by_Jimmy_Webb)** [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619.md?page=3)