So I’m listening to Tom Waits’ “Mule Variations” and I am reminded or just how talented a storyteller he is, and has been throughout his career.
I also think Paul Simon, circa Simon & Garfunkel was exceptional, especially when it came to having words and melody complement and support each other.
There are plenty of others worthy of mention, which is why I’m asking you who’s your favourite lyricist. Any lyrics particularly worthy of mention?
Tie between Cole Porter & Johnny Mercer
Neil Peart from Rush is my personal favorite. Honorable mention goes to Roger Waters of Pink Floyd. Jon Anderson of Yes has done some great stuff (check out “The Friends of Mr. Cairo” from Jon & Vangelis). But I’d probably wind up giving the prize to Bernie Taupin.
Here’s an excerpt from TFOMC:
Early Thirties gangster movies
Set to spellbind population
From Chicago to Hong Kong
Via Istanbul the Talking Tong
Dirty rats from Prohibition
Money flowed thru gangsterism
Acting out this fantasy
In Hollywood’s vicinity
Best parts for the best rendition
Al Capone - he sent to prison
Citizen Kane came fast and quickly
Conquering old New York City
Poking fun at superstition
Media became television
Give me Cagney any day
Or Jimmy Stewart for President
Or Edward G. and all those guys
Who always shoot between the eyes
Between the eyes
Not sure if they’re the greatest, but I’ve got to throw in two of my favorites from “back in the day”: Bob Dylan and John Prine, although the latter guy kind of fizzled after his first album.
Springsteen certainly picked up the ball from these guys, and I’d say Dave Matthews has done his share to carry on in more recent years.
I wouldn’t argue with any of those mentioned so far either.
Cole Porter or Ira Gershwin
If anyone is still listening to Neil Peart, Roger Waters, or Jon Anderson 70 years from now I’ll eat your hat.
Cole Porter, definitely.
Other great ones:
Ira Gershwin – vastly underrated since he’s overshadowed by his brother, but his use of simple words is just awe inspiring.
Stephen Sondheim – as a composer, he stinks, but he always had a great way with lyrics. It’s a shame he stopped working with people who knew how to write music.
Keith Reid (Procol Harum) – for the strangeness of his lyrics.
Billy Joel – rock’s best lyricist.
Lyle Lovett – His songs always say a lot in a minimum number of words.
Paul Simon
Loudon Wainwright III – great range from the touching to the comic, and always full of lyrical surprises.
Dorothy Fields
Can I throw in David Byrne? (Talking Heads and post-Talking Heads.)
There’s just something about his lyrics. I’m not sure if Greatest Lyricist applies to him, but his songs are really pretty cool in their way.
Ray Davies of The Kinks. It’s too bad they arrived on the scene about the same time as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. As a result, Ray has always been vastly underrated.
No Bob Dylan, yet?
In no particular order (and some have already been mentioned), and this is just an excercise in opinion anyway, right?:
Ira Gershwin
Cole Porter
Harold Arlen
Johnny Mercer
Elvis Costello
John Lennon
Paul McCartney
(and just because I think she’s great and nobody else will probably mention her) Aimee Mann
Oops. Of course, I meant to include Bob Dylan.
I can only give my opinion on Rock and Pop artists.
Bob Dylan
Bono of U2
Paul Simon
Honourable mentions to:
Van Morrison
Bruce Springsteen
Chuck Berry
Sting
Jim Morrison of the Doors
No one mentioned Irving Berlin, yet? He was right up there with Porter and Gershwin.
Look 5 posts up from your post. He’s there.
Ira Gershwin or Shane Macgowan.
I’m in agreement with the posters who mentioned Ray Davies and Elvis Costello.
I’ll add Scott Miller (Game Theory, Loud Family).
No new nominees sigh but plenty of amens:
Cole Porter
Ira Gershwin
Bob Dylan
Elvis Costello
Lyle Lovett
ooh! One new nominee:
Joni Mitchell
Robert Hunter and Leonard Cohen (since Dylan was already mentioned).
Stan Rogers, Canadian songwriter who died way to young. Compared to others his stuff is incredibly well crafted. Even if you don’t like the genre you have to appreciated the quality.
One of his greatest is “Lies”