With the debate going on about Dylan vs. Cohen I've felt a little left out, since, although they are good, I don't think that either of them could justifiably be called "The Best Lyricist Ever".

However, I was unable to find a topic that actually discussed and compared other lyric writers.

So, I'm curious. Who is your choice for favorite/most talented lyric writer.

I'll start with my top five, although I'm sure there are several I'm forgetting.

1. David Bazan (of Pedro the Lion)
2. John Linnell (aswell as John Flansburgh of They Might be Giants)
3. Isaac Brock (of Modest Mouse)
4. Andrew Bird
5. Doug Martsch (of Built to Spill)

Richard Patrick.



NO

Colin Meloy. Easily the most literary minded of our contemporary lyricists. True, his lyrics tend to be a bit detached and ironic, but his wordplay is delicious. What's that you say? You want heartfelt and sincere?



Go cry in a corner, emo kid.

Good call. Colin Meloy would probably be one of my favorites as well. The is no one else I can think of that could have written the lyrics to "The Infanta".

This is off the top of my head while at work and in no order:

Elliott Smith
Conor Oberst
Tom Waits
Beck
Jack White
Dan Bejar

That’s all I got right now.

Just saw the Hold Steady on Sunday, and I would like to shout out for Craig Finn.

I'd say Joni Mitchell -- without hesitating for a second.

Leonard Cohen
Bob Dylan
Tom Waits
Will Oldham
Jason Molina
John Darnielle
Red Hunter

These are just the first guys that come to mind, but there are so many others who are just writing amazing songs right now.

I like Will Sheff, John Darnielle, Colin Meloy and Joanna Newsom: With hydrocephalitic listlessness ants mop up their brow. Yeah!!!

I won't call her the best... but Neko Case really did a good job with the lyrics in Fox Confessor...

I like the Decemberists and Joanna Newsom.

I was listening to Pavement last night, and feel compelled to add Stephen Malkmus to the list. He's not a story teller of course, but you can't deny his unique "voice" in imagery and word play. His lyrics are genuinely 'fun'.

I'm a big fan of both Mike Cooley and Patterson Hood of the Drive-By Truckers. Simple, direct songwriting.

I like Tom Waits too.

No mention of Jeff Tweedy yet? Shame on you.

Spencer Krug is pretty clever.

Oh also Berman from the Silver Jews. His lyrics are better than most written poetry with or without the music.

quote:

Originally posted by benjiru:
Spencer Krug is pretty clever.

I started this quote so that I could reluctantly disagree with you, saying that he writes great music but his lyrics are fairly lacking. However then I remember things like:

"And I am a creature.
And I am survivin’.
And I want to be alone
But I want your body.
So when you eat me,
Mother and baby,
Oh baby, mother me,
Before you eat me."

and

"chaos is love and they say love is blind
So I say, oh I see now it's just smoke"

Okay, so maybe he is a really good lyricists as well as amazing songwritter/composer.

I will echo a few other mentions: Stephen Malkmus and Jeff Tweedy. Malkmus manages to write lyrics that are flip, cryptic, and deep at the same time. Tweedy is a pretty straight-ahead songwriter lyrics-wise, but has found his own unique voice.

I'd also add Neil Finn...he's impressionistic in the same way Malkmus is, though of course less weird (usually). His lines give you individual images that are evocative enough to simmer in your head, even apart from the rest of the song ("Makers of secret planes, keepers of our last remains"). But these images are just connected/disconnected enough to hang together as a whole, with plenty of room for you to connect the dots yourself. But his songs never feel like he's tossing the work off on you--there's a definite underlying form to it, something he's challenging you to get, if you want to try. The effect is usually poignant and sad, but uplifting and optimistic at the same time.

"I'm lying on the table, washed out in a flood
Like a Christian fearing vengeance from above
I don't pretend to know what you want
But I offer love"

--Distant Sun

IF I had to pick 5 they would probably be as follows.

1. Ryan Adams (our generations most prolithic and talented singer songwriter, poignant whether his message is optimistic or sad, has a great, realistic view on the greatness and pitfalls of love, evokes amazing imagery and makes impossible songs sounds simple.
2. Issac Brock of Modest Mouse( existential, metaphoric, philosophic, he is the beatnick writer of Indie music, should have his own religion based on his thoughts)
3. Bob Dylan (Just listen to 'Blood on the Tracks')
4. Bright Eyes (Even though I do not love all of his music, I can not deny Conors unreal grasp and usage of the English language. He can make words rhyme like no other and his voice makes them sound haunting and daunting and real. Somtimes his prose is so thick it is almost difficult to digest and listen to.
5. M ward- he is a philosopher turned poet. One of the most unique, talented writers ever. A great voice with an even greater vission.

Honorable Mention:

Caleb Followhill (Kings of Leon)
James Mercer (The SHins)
Mason Jennings
Colim Meloy (THe Decemeberists)
Andrew Bird
Van Morrison
Jim James (MMJ)
M Ward

That Malkmus idiot is a complete songwriting genius.