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”
Elvis Costello, if I’m limited to one.
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”?)
It seems so obvious, but I gotta go with aforementioned Lennon/McCartney and Fagen/Becker, and for almost completely opposite reasons.
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
I thought of Neil Young when I opened this thread, which surprised me, but I’ll stand by it:
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.
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.
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, whose songwriting, both for his solo work and for his sometimes-band The Negro Problem, is consistently excellent.
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
Hard to argue with many of the previous nominations - I can just add a name or two.
My first would be Doc Pomus.
He also wrote or co wrote “Hushabye”, “A Teenager In Love”, “Lonely Avenue”, “Viva Las Vegas” and countless others.
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.
Another nod for Elvis Costello.
Two Little Hitlers:
I know some people just can’t stand her, but I like Ani DiFranco.
Evolve:
Anneke from The Gathering is pretty amazing, IMO.
Waking Hour:
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:”
From “Brilliant Disguise:”
“Blood Brothers:”
“Black Cowboys:”
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.
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.
Ronnie Van Zant
If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?