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?
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
Shane MacGowan
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.
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.”
Seconded.
Craig Finn is pretty amazing. How good is this?
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.)
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.
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?
Is there no love for Bob Dylan here?
Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout has always been a fave of mine.
By modern, I had in mind Fifties to present. You really couldn’t call Kris Kristofferson “relevant” today - but his lyrics still stand up.
John Hiatt’s lyrics never cease to amaze me.
Howard Devoto
Can we include Tom Lehrer then? 
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:
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…
Criminally over-looked Ron Sexsmith.
Abso-freaking-lutely. He was brilliant.
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.
I agree about Paul Simon and Bruce Springsteen, but I’m sorry - Bob Dylan is not in the same league as Ani DiFranco.