Roger Waters
I like Ogre’s (from Skinny Puppy) style.
Jello Biafra
Mike Patton is pretty underrated.
Andrew WK
Leonard Cohen
Putting everything aside but rhyming ability I’d go behind gasp eminem. I don’t think I’d consider myself a fan of his, in fact I really hate his first 2 albums, but the guy’s got rhyming talent. Flog me if you must.
Did Laura Nyro write lyrics in addition to music? If so, I nominate her.
Carole King
Neil Sedaka
If we’re going with hip-hop as well, I’ll nominate KRS-ONE and Common.
What??? No one has mentioned Eminem? He might not be the GREATEST, but no one can deny that he is very talented…!
Eric Bachman of Archers of Loaf and Crooked Fingers is incredible. If you haven’t heard this guy, you need to check it out!
Has anyone mentioned Kurt Cobain? He’s the best of his generation, imo.
…Morrissey…
…Matt Jonhson(The The)…
…Micheal Gira ( The Swans/Angels of Light…)
If I were Leonard Cohen I would be very insulted right now.
Only an hour or so before you.
I think Bono should be disqualified from this list for the utter dreck that passes for lyrics in All That You Can’t Leave Behind.
For sheer, delightful cleverness, may I notinate:
W. S. Gilbert
Michael Flanders
In fact, may I even nominate them!
Elvis Costello, Nick Cave, Kurt Cobain, and Ray Davies are all good.
But the greatest lyricist is Richard Thompson.
Another vote for Cole Porter – especially his “list” songs such as “You’re the Top.” He kept adding to it through the years.
I haven’t seen Lucinda Williams mentioned yet.
Coming in to add an amen to John Hiatt
Paul Simon was my first thought upon reading the thread title.
Other favorites of mine:
All four Beatles
Frank Zappa (he said he had no pretensions of being a poet, but man oh man, could he write BRILLIANTLY stupid lyrics)
Captain Beefheart
Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale
Jimi Hendrix
Whoever wrote “Cool Jerk”
“Weird Al” Yankovic
Whoever wrote “I’m Henry VIII I Am”… did Peter Noone or any of the other Hermits write their own songs, or did someone else?
The late, great Hoyt Axton.
Bob Marley wasn’t too shabby either.
What? No Jagger & Richard?
“Sympathy for the Devil” alone should qualify them for this list!
Adam Duritz!!! Adam Duritz!!!