# 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:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/41 "2009-01-28T20:26:33Z")
Maybe only about three people know about him, but I still enjoy listening to Joe Pernice’s lyrics. “Won’t you come unbury me? Could you light me up like a lemon grove?” –“Weakest Shade of Blue” “There’s a mark on me Scorched-earth lovers, is that all we’ll be? Two roads diverging in a living dream Of hope, and love, and time.” –“Water Ban” “How her voice can fill a room like singing the crooked moon upon her face.” –“All I Know” ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/42 "2009-01-28T23:27:44Z")
**Elvis Costello** , if I’m limited to one. ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/43 "2009-01-28T23:37:35Z")
Hey - how about Carole King? I can’t believe I forgot about her! ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/44 "2009-01-29T06:02:57Z")
> [@Sateryn76](#): > > Hey - how about Carole King? I can’t believe I forgot about her! Can you be considered a “songwriter” if you predominantly write only the music? (As opposed to being considered a “composer”?) ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/45 "2009-01-29T06:12:24Z")
It seems so obvious, but I gotta go with aforementioned Lennon/McCartney and Fagen/Becker, and for almost completely opposite reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/46 "2009-01-29T06:19:31Z")
If I must post just one, then **Hank Williams Sr.** absolutely hands down. There’s a kind of wide-eyed prosaic honesty about his own life, coupled with a poetic sensibility that, in my opinion, has never been matched. Weary Blues From Waiting: “Weary Blues” Words and music by Hank Williams, Sr. CHORUS Weary blues from waitin’ Lord, I’ve been waitin’ too long These blues have got me cryin’ Oh, sweet mama, please come home. The snow falls 'round my window But it can’t chill my heart God knows it died the day you left My dream world fell a part. CHORUS Weary blues from waitin’ Lord, I’ve been waitin’ too long These blues have got me cryin’ Oh, sweet mama, please come home. Thru tears I watch young lovers As they go strollin’ by Oh, all the things that might have been God forgive me if I cry. CHORUS Weary blues from waitin’ Lord, I’ve been waitin’ too long These blues have got me cryin’ Oh, sweet mama, please come home ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/47 "2009-01-29T07:14:23Z")
I thought of Neil Young when I opened this thread, which surprised me, but I’ll stand by it: > [@](#): > > My life is changing in so many ways > I don’t know who to trust anymore > There’s a shadow running through my days > Like a beggar going from door to door. -[A Man Needs A Maid](http://hyperrust.org/Music/?s190) > [@](#): > > Well it kind of struck me funny > Sort of made me smile > After all these years > on this old road > How God could show me somethin’ > Never say a word -[Beautiful Bluebird](http://hyperrust.org/Music/?s20) > [@](#): > > And I know she’s living there > And she loves me to this day > I still can’t remember when > Or how I lost my way. -[Cortez the Killer](http://hyperrust.org/Music/?s48) Other names I think have to be considered: Stevie Wonder (for Superstition, or As), Curtis Mayfield (for Freddie’s Dead), Lennon/McCartney (Strawberry Fields, I Am the Walrus and Dear Prudence for John, Eleanor Rigby and I’m Looking Through You for Paul). And of course I want to nominate Bob Marley (starting with Exodus, Zimbabwe and Redemption Song), but I can never tell if I’m being biased. ---
**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 29, 2009, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/48 "2009-01-29T12:45:25Z")
> [@Duke](#): > > Maybe only about three people know about him, but I still enjoy listening to Joe Pernice’s lyrics. That name sounds familiar. Was he the one that did that “Somerville” song? ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/49 "2009-01-29T12:50:26Z")
> [@neutron\_star](#): > > That name sounds familiar. Was he the one that did that “Somerville” song? Yes, he did, with the Pernice Brothers. He’s also performed solo (under the name of “Big Tobacco”), and with the Scud Mountain Boys. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/50 "2009-01-29T14:46:44Z")
I’ll second everyone mentioned (at least the 85% that I’ve heard of). Paul Simon, Ray Davies, Stevie Wonder…all great. Has anyone mentioned Billy Joel? Let me add [Mark “Stew” Stewart](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stew_(musician)), whose songwriting, both for his solo work and for his sometimes-band The Negro Problem, is consistently excellent. ---
**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 29, 2009, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/51 "2009-01-29T14:53:54Z")
All this love for Paul Simon, but no mention of Art Garfunkel? When the singer’s gone let the song go on, It’s a fine line between the darkness and the dawn. They say in the darkest night there’s a light beyond But the ending always comes at last, Endings always come too fast, They come too fast But they past too slow, I love you, and that’s all I know. That’s all I know, that’s all I know ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/52 "2009-01-29T15:36:07Z")
Hard to argue with many of the previous nominations - I can just add a name or two. My first would be Doc Pomus. > [@](#): > > You can dance > Ev’ry dance with the guy > Who gives you the eye > Let him hold you tight > You can smile > Ev’ry smile for the man who held your hand > ‘Neath the pale moonlight > But don’t forget who’s taking you home > And in whose arms you’re gonna be > So darlin’, save the last dance for me He also wrote or co wrote “Hushabye”, “A Teenager In Love”, “Lonely Avenue”, “Viva Las Vegas” and countless others. ---
**Author:** ![Cornelius\_Tuggerson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Cornelius\_Tuggerson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cornelius_Tuggerson)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/53 "2009-01-29T15:40:33Z")
I know he used to be a bit of a pompous jerk and a hustler, but I still love Lou Reeds song writing. Lola, Perfect day, Sweet Jane they are all just so awesome. Just a perfect day You made me forget myself I thought I was someone else Someone good… Perfection. ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/54 "2009-01-29T16:02:45Z")
Another nod for Elvis Costello. Two Little Hitlers: > [@](#): > > You call selective dating > For some effective mating > I thought I’d let you down, dear > But you were just deflating > > I knew right from the start > We’d end up hating > Pictures of the merchandise > Plastered on the wall > We can look so long as we don’t have to talk at all > > You say you’ll never know him > He’s an unnatural man > He doesn’t want your pleasure > He wants as no one can > He wants to know the names of > All those he’s better than > > Two little Hitlers will fight it out until > One little Hitler does the other one’s will I know some people just can’t stand her, but I like Ani DiFranco. Evolve: > [@](#): > > i walk in stride with people > much taller than me > and partly it’s the boots but > mostly it’s my chi > and i’m becoming transfixed > with nature and my part in it > which i believe just signifies > i’m finally waking up > > and there’s this moth outside my kitchen door > she’s bonkers for that bare bulb > flying round in circles > bashing in her exoskull > and out in the woods she navigates fine by the moon > but get her around a light bulb and she’s doomed Anneke from The Gathering is pretty amazing, IMO. Waking Hour: > [@](#): > > The fight is done > And who are we > To judge what will become > All the iron armour is laid down away > Followed by the heroes > Who belong on rested earth > We pray, > We feel the rescue coming near > Within the walking soul to hear > We sense the calm all wrapped in fear > And all the while we heed > The senses way too vast to see > We beg of you to not let go > Our names will provide us with a soul > > I can feel it > > Falling down > Start again > Life can bring you down > The monumental truth > Of elegance in you > Falling for > A part of who you are > And makes you shine inside ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mighty\_Richard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6f9a4e/32.png) [@The\_Mighty\_Richard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mighty_Richard)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/55 "2009-01-29T18:46:28Z")
Finally registered for this thread. No love for Bruce Springsteen? Born in the USA might not be your cuppa tea, but there is SO much more to the man than that unfortunate convergence of leather and grizzle. From “Thunder Road:” > [@](#): > > The screen door slams > Mary’s dress waves > Like a vision she dances across the porch > As the radio plays > Roy Orbison singing for the lonely > Hey that’s me and I want you only > Don’t turn me home again > I just can’t face myself alone again > Don’t run back inside > darling you know just what I’m here for > So you’re scared and you’re thinking > That maybe we ain’t that young anymore > Show a little faith, there’s magic in the night > You ain’t a beauty, but hey you’re alright > Oh and that’s alright with me From “Brilliant Disguise:” > [@](#): > > It’s the same thing night on night > Who’s wrong baby who’s right > Another fight and I slam the door on > Another battle in our dirty little war > When I look at myself I don’t see > The man I wanted to be > Somewhere along the line I slipped off track > I’m caught movin’ one step up and two steps back > > There’s a girl across the bar > I get the message she’s sendin’ > Mmm she ain’t lookin’ to married > And me well honey I’m pretending > Last night I dreamed I held you in my arms > The music was never-ending > We danced as the evening sky faded to black > One step up and two steps back “Blood Brothers:” > [@](#): > > Now the hardness of this world slowly grinds your dreams away > Makin’ a fool’s joke out of the promises we make > And what once seemed black and white turns to so many shades of gray > We lose ourselves in work to do and bills to pay > And it’s a ride, ride, ride, and there ain’t much cover > With no one runnin’ by your side my blood brother > > On through the houses of the dead past those fallen in their tracks > Always movin’ ahead and never lookin’ back > Now I don’t know how I feel, I don’t know how I feel tonight > If I’ve fallen 'neath the wheel, if I’ve lost or I’ve gained sight > I don’t even know why, I don’t know why I made this call > Or if any of this matters anymore after all > > But the stars are burnin’ bright like some mystery uncovered > I’ll keep movin’ through the dark with you in my heart > My blood brother “Black Cowboys:” > [@](#): > > Come the fall the rain flooded these homes, here in Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones, it fell hard and dark to the ground. It fell without a sound. Lynette took up with a man whose business was the boulevard, whose smile was fixed in a face that was never off guard. In the pipes 'neath the kitchen sink his secrets he kept. In the day, behind drawn curtains, in Lynette’s bedroom he slept. > > Then she got lost in the days. The smile Rainey depended on dusted away, the arms that held him were no more his home. He lay at night his head pressed to her chest listening to the ghost in her bones. > > In the kitchen Rainey slipped his hand between the pipes. From a brown bag pulled five hundred dollar bills and stuck it in his coat side, stood in the dark at his mother’s bed, brushed her hair and kissed her eyes. I could do this all day… For me Dylan is America’s greatest popular songwriter, with Bruce Springsteen and Paul Simon right behind him; and I’m never really sure which of those come second and which comes third. ---
**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 29, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/56 "2009-01-29T18:57:30Z")
Nobody has mentioned Kinky Friedman. He writes the perfect songs for his subject material. They ain’t making Jews like Jesus anymore. They don’t turn the other cheek the way they did before. The whole damn place was singing as I strode out of the door. Loooorrrrrd, they ain’t making Jews like Jesus anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963/57 "2009-01-29T21:25:40Z")
Ronnie Van Zant _If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-most-perfect-songwriter/482963.md?page=2)