My current Frank Black obsession has me wondering. How many artists in the history of Rock & Roll have written 100+ great songs? I can think of a few, but of course some of the ones I'd consider, wouldn't necessarily rank on your list (and vice versa). Still, I'd love to know who you think has reached the century mark. Feel free to use writing teams as well.

Here's a few that spring to mind in no particular order:

Robert Pollard (Probably the only one to reach the 500 mark, he's the Cy Young of songwriters)


Ray Davies
Frank Black
Berry, Buck, Mills, Stipe
Lou Reed
Bob Dylan
Jagger/Richards
Lennon/McCartney (together and separate)
David Bowie
Neil Young
Brian Wilson
Paul Weller
Neil Finn
John Darnielle
Paul Westerberg

Some that are closing in:

Eric Bachmann
Britt Daniel
Jeff Tweedy
Dean Wareham
Jack White

EDIT: I also forgot in the "Closing in" category: Joe Pernice and Will Oldham (heck, he might be there already)

EDIT #2: Yeah, these are big ones I forgot that you guys reminded me of:

Elvis Costello
Nick Cave
Tom Waits
John Linnel
Robyn Hitchcock
Stephen Merritt
Mark E. Smith

"Closing In":
Beck
Jason Molina.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Maximum Jack,

I like most of your choices; here are some I can think of:

100+ in no particular order:
All of the revolving members of Yo La Tengo as one unit
C. Greenwood/J. Greenwood/O’Brien/Selway/Yorke
Tom Waits
Nick Cave
Stevie Wonder

Just barely made it-I think:
Elliott Smith (not because of lack of quality but because, well you know)

Closing In:
Chan Marshall
Andrew Bird
Conor Oberst

Yeah, YLT is an interesting one. They've probably recorded well over 100 great songs. Their propensity to do covers and the fact that all three of them share writing duties makes it difficult to come up with 100 great songs by the same writing team.

Elvis Costello

Isaac Brock- Modest Mouse and Ugly Casanova

quote:

Originally posted by ~DANNY ARCHER!~:
Isaac Brock- Modest Mouse and Ugly Casanova

Robert Pollard...doesn't he write 500 a year??? Overrated, but I like his stuff...

Where are the women?
Before Chan Marshall:

PJ Harvey's pretty close
okay, my mistake, that may be it

Also,
Beck
Sting (also with The Police, wrote 99%)
Tweedy should be there (Wilco and Uncle Tupelo)

Billy Corgan
Martin Gore
Albert Yankovic
Richard D. James
Stephen Malkmus
Philip Glass
James Taylor
Sufjan Stevens
Mark Knofler

Personally crowned King?
John Linnel.

Flansburg is on the list too though.

Closing in?
Spencer Krug
DoseOne
Britt Daniels
Sam Beam
Mozart

quote:

Originally posted by jayman:
Robert Pollard...doesn't he write 500 a year??? Overrated, but I like his stuff...

Congratulations! You just made Maximum Jack's death list.

You've gotta be around for a hell of a long time to bust out 100 great songs. How about Smokey Robinson? Morrissey?

MJ! How could you forget Malkmus?

quote:

Originally posted by MajorNougat:

quote:

Originally posted by jayman:
Robert Pollard...doesn't he write 500 a year??? Overrated, but I like his stuff...

Congratulations! You just made Maximum Jack's death list.

No way. I can totally see how someone could tire of Pollard rather quickly. I've just got some genetic defect or something

I love Chan Marshall, or at least early Cat Power, but has she even recorded 100 songs yet (including her two Covers records)?

quote:

Originally posted by sans_success:
MJ! How could you forget Malkmus?

Mainly because Malkmus solo hasn't done much for me. I almost put Lou Barlow on there, if that makes you feel any better

Jason Molina
Johnny Cash
Stephin Merritt
Ryan Adams
Robyn Hitchcock
Gordon/Ranaldo/Shelley/Moore

Dan Bejar has got to be closing in if he's not there already

I'm not sure Johnny Cash wrote a hundred songs, but I can't believe I forgot Robyn Hitchcock and Stephen Merritt. I've edited my initial post to show some of my major blunders.

I'm gunna be the curmudgeon here, and state that I doubt that anyone mentioned has written 100+ songs that I'd consider "great". Maybe Lennon/McCartney at a pinch.

quote:

Originally posted by Bhob:
I'm gunna be the curmudgeon here, and state that I doubt that anyone mentioned has written 100+ songs that I'd consider "great". Maybe Lennon/McCartney at a pinch.

"GREAT" may be to strong a word. "Very, very good" maybe?

In that case, certainly Costello.

Do you like music?

Yeah I agree with Maximum Jack. Many of the artists being listed wouldn't even classify as 50 "good" songs in my opinion. Lennon/McCartney would be the only songwriting tandem in history to have achieved this mark. However, if you lower the standard to merely an artist that has written enough inspired and highlight material to make it worthwhile to pick a "Top 100", I think this would make more sense. Even then, there aren't many. Bob Dylan and Neil Young just barely, Lou Reed, David Bowie and Tom Waits would come close. I think if Jack White continues to be so prolific his songs would constitute a list by the end of his career. That is about it. Maybe Bruce Springsteen.

By mark, I meant 100 Great songs, which I don't believe anyone other than Lennon/McCartney has done.

I am a massive Radiohead fan. But they only have seven albums, and "Pablo Honey" is barely mediocre. I've heard all the b-sides which have a few "great" songs, but for 100 songs? They barely have a 100 songs. Radiohead would make a 50 list I would say. Plus, I'm not sure when Isaac Brock wrote one great song. Modest Mouse is one of those bands I could never get.