Comments on: Who are your favorite songwriters, and why?

By: John C.

John C. — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:16:15 +0000

Here’s my current favorite Jonathan Coulton song, which is clever and sad and universal and about a giant squid.

By: Susan M

Susan M — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:07:21 +0000

Another good one for funny lyrics is Lyle Lovett. I love that man.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-42NzUuUlLY&hl=en&fs=1&%5D

By: gabby

gabby — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:00:33 +0000

Ooooh! Speaking of literate songwriters. Lloyd Cole. Absolutely brilliant.

By: C Jones

C Jones — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:52:25 +0000

Daniel Johnston.

By: danithew

danithew — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 13:34:04 +0000

I still remember the first time and place I heard "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out." I was thinking to myself that the arrangement of guitar and other sounds was beautiful and soothing - and then I started paying attention to the lyrics and thought it was one of the most unusual contrasts between music and lyrics that I had ever heard. The whole "The Queen Is Dead" album is that way - as is the rest of the Smiths output. I don't go much for Morrissey's solo work - but I think in regards to great songwriters, he should be mentioned. One other deserving songwriter, who I don't think has been mentioned, is Sting. Whether with the Police or on his own, he crafts great songs with some very interesting and original lyrics. I love songs like "Synchronicity II" and "Walking In Your Footsteps." It's always helpful if you can get the sense that a songwriter has read a book in his life.

By: Tom

Tom — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:49:37 +0000

Another vote for Kozelek. “Grace Cathedral Park” just puts me in a trance.

Also Joni Mitchell. I don’t enjoy her singing all that much—I think I prefer every cover version I’ve heard of her stuff over her original versions (Sarah McLachlan doing “Blue” and Tori Amos doing “A Case of You” are both awesome)—but her songs are great.

And I can’t believe I didn’t think of these classics: Roy Orbison and especially the King of Pop Songwriting Burt Bacharach. Such awesome tunes.

One that I think I would really like if I heard more of his stuff is Randy Newman.

By: Ian Cook

Ian Cook — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:29:48 +0000

TMBG is one of my favorites as well. They have a weird way of writing though. Usually, they have music and then put lyrics to them regardless of whether they make since or not. This is especially true with their earlier stuff.

I’m going down to Cowtown
The cow’s a friend to me
Lives beneath the ocean and that’s where I will be
Beneath the waves, the waves
And that’s where I will be
I’m gonna see the cow beneath the sea
The yellow Roosevelt Avenue leaf overturned
The ardor of arboreality is an adventure we have spurned, we’ve spurned
A new leaf overturned
It’s a new leaf overturned
And so I’m going down to Cowtown
The cow’s a friend to me
Lives beneath the ocean and that’s where I will be
Beneath the waves, the waves
And that’s where I will be
I’m gonna see the cow beneath the sea

By: John C.

John C. — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:58:07 +0000

Rose,
I love TMBG.

Now it’s over,
I’m dead and I haven’t done anything that I want
Or
I’m still alive and there’s nothing I want to do.

By: Brian V

Brian V — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:21:32 +0000

A few of runners-up to Neil Young for me:

1. Carole King & Gerry Goffin
2. Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
3. Jerry Lieber & Mike Stoller
4. Jimmy Webb
5. Chuck Berry
6. Paul McCartney
7. Brian Wilson

By: Rose Tyler

Rose Tyler — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 04:08:54 +0000

“Triangle Man hates Person Man, they get in fight, Triangle wins” So profound.