# Your most perfect songwriter **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 25, 2009, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963 "2009-01-25T22:11:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/1 "2009-01-25T22:11:25Z")
Thread inspired both by the Dylan thread, and by [Eric Taylor](http://www.bluerubymusic.com/). If you haven’t heard of him, Eric Taylor is a phenomenal Texas singer/songwriter who’s been around for quite some time, though he doesn’t have a very large body of work, and once went almost fifteen years between critically-acclaimed albums, which might help to explain why he isn’t hugely popular (the venues he plays are very small - I’m going to try to go see him at a _bed and breakfast_ about an hour from here in March). His scope of influence on Texas singer/songwriters belies his relative lack of commercial success, though. And he has been releasing on a more regular schedule lately, having put out five excellent albums between 1995 and 2007. Here’s some songs. [Dean Moriarty](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSWBPr0NDXA) > [@](#): > > Dean Moriarty don’t live here no more > He’s off in California and he works in a liquor store > Where it’s two packs of cigarettes > And one-half of a pint > He’s off to his room on the Mexican side > > Says he’s through with the railroad freight car line > The fight between the moon and the lantern light > Says he’s going cross country > But he might come back > Sticking to the highway > To hell with the tracks [Happy Endings](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syyRYfHdwe8) > [@](#): > > It was like the sun came up one mornin’ and never went down again > Burned a hole through Oklahoma and the cotton up and disappeared > We were diggin’ holes in the Dust Bowl, we were searchin’ for a deeper well > Mother prayed for water, but there weren’t no water anywhere. > > It’s the home life, the man and wife, the kids and the Motorola > We’re broken dolls, fix us, Carl, > We can’t live like this no more now > We ain’t built like this and you know it now. [Your God](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaAkGlyvAEs) > [@](#): > > When the boatmen stole the Africans > Did your God ride or row? > When they roped them and they shackled them > Was he with them in the hold? > Was the ocean moon so beautiful > That it brought him to his knees? > What did your God see? Who are your favorites? If you post lyrics, do the mods a break and make sure not to post the whole song - just a verse or two. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/2 "2009-01-25T22:18:00Z")
Not long ago I started a thread singing the praises (pun intentional) of Ray Davies. But in the spirit of your OP I’ll nominate Lyle Lovett. For anyone who knows him only as the ugly half of Julia Roberts’ first marriage ( I \*think \*it was her first…), he’s incredibly talented. I think he has a fantastic voice, and is an exceptional song writer. This is from _North Dakota_: I remember in the mornings Waking up With your arms around my head You told me you can sleep forever And I’ll still hold you then Now the weather’s getting colder It’s even cold down here And the words that you have told me Hang frozen in the air And sometimes I look right through them As if they were not there ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/3 "2009-01-25T22:22:38Z")
**Jeff Tweedy** ( **Uncle Tupelo** and **Wilco** ). I have a book of his poetry, and because of that and his songs, I’m convinced that if he were born one hundred years ago or so, he would be one of America’s most celebrated poets. From **Via Chicago** > [@](#): > > I dreamed about killing you again last night > And it felt alright to me > Dying on the banks of Embarcadero skies > I sat and watched you bleed > > Buried you alive in a fireworks display > Raining down on me > Your cold, hot blood > Ran away from me to the sea > > I printed my name on the back of a leaf > And I watched it float away > The hope I had in a notebook full of white dry pages > Was all I tried to save > > But the wind blew me back via Chicago > In the middle of the night > And not without fight > At the crush of veils and starlight From **Jesus Etc** > [@](#): > > Jesus, don’t cry > You can rely on me honey > You can combine anything you want > > I’ll be around > You were right about the stars > Each one is a setting sun > > Tall buildings shake > Voices escape singing sad sad songs > Tuned to chords strung down your cheeks > Bitter melodies turning your orbit around From **Hummingbird** > [@](#): > > His goal in life was to be an echo > The type of sound that floats around and then back down > Like a feather > But in the deep chrome canyons of the loudest Manhattans > No one could hear him > Or anything > > So he slept on a mountain > In a sleeping bag underneath the stars > He would lie awake and count them > And the gray fountain spray of the great Milky Way > Would never let him > Die alone From **You Are My Face** > [@](#): > > The door screams I hate you > Hate you hanging around my blue jeans > Why is there no breeze > No currency of leaves > No current through the water wire > No feelings I can see > I trust no emotion > I believe in locomotion > But I’ve turned to rust as we’ve discussed > Though I must have let you down > too many times > In the dirt and the dust ---
**Author:** ![Paladud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Paladud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paladud)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/4 "2009-01-25T22:46:47Z")
Vladimir Vysotsky is by far the best I’ve heard, and is my primary source of inspiration in writing poetry. Unfortunately, the translations do not do him justice, but here goes. from End of the Wolf Hunt, translated by Eugenia Weinstein > [@](#): > > Snow would melt underneath us, like under the sun… > Man, not God up above, thought of slaughter as fun: > Fly - and perish in flight, flee - and die on the run! from Tightrope Walker, translated by Eugenia Weinstein > [@](#): > > He could neither for rank nor for height hope… > Not for fame and not for payment > In his odd style, without a swerve > All through life he’s been walking a tightrope, > Not the pavement, not the pavement - > A tightrope strained like a nerve. [Fires](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4t9Ze6kfys) - translated by me > [@](#): > > The flames engulf the land - each higher, hotter, full of life! > Reflections darting, waltzing, in their revelry persistent. > But Fate and Time had mounted on their steeds, intent on strife, > And galloped off in metal hail, > Ensconcing in a chilling gale > All countries, close and distant. > > The wicked bullets sped and vehemently scattered, > We raced upon our steeds, they followed in our wake. > The horses lost their nails, and heated horseshoes flew and clattered > To lie in dust to bring good luck for any man to take. > > The reins, like slimy eels, were always slipping, > And hair and thoughts were tangled as we sped through rough terrain. > The wind untangled curls as it was whipping, > And straightened convolutions in the brain. > > No fear of death, pursuit, nor flames shall bar the riders’ way, > And Time approached, and Fortune, smiling, with his saber greeted; > Their blades were crossed with sunbeams in a luminous array, > Two poets, locked in fatal bout! > The flames died down and flickered out - > But combat grew more heated. > > The world had never seen a gallop so frenetic, > The hoofbeats set a rhythm as yet unheard before. > The bullets, blind and stupid, grew with bloodlust energetic, > Matured and wisened up and aimed and hit their targets more. > > And who will falter? Who will make a blunder? > And who is faster? Victory will surely grace the bold. > The wind our very flesh from bones would sunder, > And gratified the skeletons with cold. > > What promise does the future hold? The sick shall not be cured. > Tomorrow offers nothing but its bitterness and shadow; > Time gallops straight ahead, as though its victory’s assured. > So let us ride and meet the foe, > And friends, should fortune thus bestow. > Fate flies across the meadow! > > That gullible old Death we easily outwitted, > It hesitated some and swung its scythe no more. > For once, the bullets lagged behind and in the distance flitted… > Perhaps we’ll have a chance to wash with dew instead of gore? > > The breeze sang sadly, softly in its passion. > Time’s riddled through with bullet-holes, and Fate is racked with pain, > And winds and horses carried in procession > The souls and bodies of the freshly slain. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/5 "2009-01-25T22:57:47Z")
_You say I took the name in vain I don’t even know the name But if I did, well really, what’s it to you? There’s a blaze of light In every word It doesn’t matter which you heard The holy or the broken Hallelujah_ – Leonard Cohen _Blue, here is a shell for you Inside youll hear a sigh A foggy lullaby There is your song from me_ – Joni MItchell ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/6 "2009-01-25T23:20:47Z")
Jane Siberry and Victoria Williams are the best songwriters breathing. ---
**Author:** ![Jettboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@Jettboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jettboy)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/7 "2009-01-25T23:28:29Z")
Shane McGowan of _The Pogues_. The quintessential Irish poet; brilliant…and drunk. _The last time I saw you was down at The Greeks’ There was whiskey on Sunday and tears on our cheeks. You sang me a song as pure as the breeze Blowing up the road to Glenaveigh. I sat for a while at the cross at Finnoe Where young lovers would meet when the flowers were in bloom Heard the men coming home from the fair at Shinrone Their hearts in Tipperary wherever they go._ from “The Broad Majestic Shannon” \*In Manhattans desert twilight in the death of afternoon, we stepped hand in hand on Broadway like the first men on the moon. And the blackbird broke the silence as you whistled it so sweet, and in Brendan Behan’s footsteps I danced up and down the street.\* from “Thousands are Sailing” _One summer evening drunk to hell I stood there nearly lifeless. An old man in the corner sang where the water lilies grow. And on the jukebox Johnny sang about a thing called love. And it’s “how are you kid” and “what’s your name” and how would you bloody know? In blood and death 'neath a screaming sky, I lay down on the ground, and the arms and legs of other men, were scattered all around. Some cursed, some prayed, some prayed then cursed then prayed and bled some more. And the only thing that I could see was a pair of brown eyes that was looking at me. But when we got back, labeled parts one to three, there was no pair of brown eyes waiting for me_ from “A Pair of Brown Eyes” ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/8 "2009-01-26T01:32:41Z")
I must put in my plug for [Dean Friedman](http://www,deanfriedman.com), For those of you who only remember him for his pop songs such as _Ariel_, _McDonald’s Girl_ and _Lucky Stars_, you’re missing a lot. For instance: **Humour Me** You see, underneath this cynical exterior, there’s a child in me waiting for the chance To prove that all my logic is inferior to romance. **The Letter** So what’s it like to be on your own, a roaming vagabond, away from home, in search of some forgotten door? Is it half as good as it sounds? Tell me, have you really found the peace and calm we’ve all been looking for? **All Grown Now** Now as we put the kids to bed and turn out the light you know I can’t help wondering where the time has gone. And as they say their sweet goodnights and beg for one last bedtime song, I think how blessed we are, to come so far. And we’re all grown, all grown, all grown now… And on the lighter side: **S & M** “Oo, Oo, Aha. Do it again, pretty momma. First let me thank you for letting me spank you My credo and my ism is Sado-Masochism.” ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/9 "2009-01-26T02:26:42Z")
I can’t think of a bad song by Irving Berlin. And when you consider that he couldn’t read music and could barely write it…_and_ penned all his own lyrics…the man obviously had a gift from Og. ---
**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:** [January 26, 2009, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/10 "2009-01-26T02:37:39Z")
Paul Simon has been consistently brilliant through his career. And while most people don’t think of them this way, Walter Becker and Donald Fagan are phenomenally good lyricists, once you get past the fact that they write for themselves and not for audiences to get. I think that Fagan does most of the lyrics, but you can never see behind their wall. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/11 "2009-01-26T03:34:38Z")
Cole Porter and George Gershwin, of course. Also Tom Lehrer and Flanders and Swann In the rock era, I’d mention Peter Townsend, Lyle Lovett, Robbie Robertson, Steve Winwood/Jim Capaldi, and Loudon Wainwright III. ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/12 "2009-01-26T04:33:07Z")
Paul McCartney. John Lennon. ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/13 "2009-01-26T04:54:48Z")
To paraphrase a local radio talk show host who wanted to put together a top 5 list of greatest songwriters, “Every one agrees with Robert Zimmerman and Declan McManus, but after that no one does.” Of course, he used their stage names of Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello, in order. I love singer-songwriters and my three favorites are Leonard Cohen, Richard Thompson, and Nick Lowe, not necessarily in that order. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/14 "2009-01-26T06:22:10Z")
Paul Simon was very good, in his time. > [@](#): > > What a dream I had > Pressed in organdy > Clothed in crinoline of smoky burgundy > Softer than the rain > I wandered empty streets > Down past the shop displays > I heard cathedral bells > Tripping down the alleyways > As I walked on ---
**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:** [January 26, 2009, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/15 "2009-01-26T19:43:33Z")
> [@Ataraxy](#): > > To paraphrase a local radio talk show host who wanted to put together a top 5 list of greatest songwriters, “Every one agrees with Robert Zimmerman and Declan McManus, but after that no one does.” Of course, he used their stage names of Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello, in order. Stage names? Aren’t those their legal names now? In fact, for a great many years? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/16 "2009-01-26T19:48:49Z")
Billy Bragg Kate Bush Natalie Merchant too tired to post examples ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/17 "2009-01-26T19:52:27Z")
Tom Waits, or Nick Cave. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/18 "2009-01-26T21:50:41Z")
Stan Rogers Is this the face that won for her the man Whose amazed and clumsy fingers put that ring upon her hand? Oh, tell me what you’re going through, 'Cause all I want to do is be protecting. No! All those shadows on your face, They look so out of place, they should be sunlight. I want to take you when the smile returns And keep you from the night And wake up to see me in your eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/19 "2009-01-26T22:18:34Z")
Tom Paxton is astonishing good, whether he’s writing humourous or sad songs. His work is very covered: Rambling Boy, Marvelous Toy, Bottle of Wine, Wasn’t That A Party, Whose Garden Was This? just to name a few. Dolly Parton is good too. ---
**Author:** ![ShermanAter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ShermanAter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShermanAter)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/20 "2009-01-26T22:37:51Z")
Lots of great responses so far. I must add john Hiatt to the mix. He is a great songwriter. [http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/John-Hiatt-Lyrics/21419A591CB64EFD48256A96002FA788](http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/John-Hiatt-Lyrics/21419A591CB64EFD48256A96002FA788) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963.md?page=2)