Greatest songwriter ever?

Question

Hey jaggles, **** you!! Shove it up your ***!!

Answer 1

Joe Strummer/ Mick Jones
Lennon
Mercury
Jagger/Richards
Dylan
Billy Corgan
Andrew Wood
Bon Scott/The Young bros
Nikki Sixx
Page
Bono/The Edge
Sting
Orbison
Bernie Taupin
Marley
-Hard to leave any of these 20 guys out.

Answer 2

I love a good songwriter. Here's my top 5 and why.

1. Bob Dylan - The man could sit down and write a song in five minutes that would become a classic. He said it was all about the lyric, and he made that count. His songs had meanings, but even if you don't get them he uses a beautiful range of vocabulary that speaks to the songwriter in all of us. Also, his work has been covered by so many bands, he is listed as an influence on a great number of artists since the 60's, and if not for him we would not probably not have been blessed with bands such as the Band, The Byrds, and of course, the Wilburys. Truly deserving of top spot.

2. Neil Young - Never far behind dylan, and his best songs were probably ahead of Dylan's. Had a unique ability to capture an idea in a song and blend the music and lyric together in harmony. A prime example is "Helpless". Also, as with any great songwriter, was not afraid to tackle controversy, although on occasion pushes his view a little to far. Hugely influential on musicians in following eras.

3. Bruce Springsteen - Wrote dylanesque lyrics that were more connected to the world. Made him easier to understand but takes nothing away from the brilliance of his songs. Definately possesses the talent of The two above him and can also bring a song to life through a brilliant performance. A man who can incorporate the blues, country, and folk into a rock song definately deserves some credit.

4. Paul Simon - Possibly overlooked due to the pop nature of most of his songs, but well deserving of a number four position. The man who made Simon and Garfunkel, as evidenced by his own solo success after the duo split. Captured the thoughts of a generation in a more real way than possibly any other songwriter had done before and wrote pop songs that are still as vibrant as ever today. Also hugely influential in bringing the sounds of africa to mainstream music.

5. Leonard Cohen - Call him a poet all you like, it's true. The man was a brilliant poet which is perhaps why he makes it to the top of many great songwriters lists on lyrics alone. Perhaps not the greatest performer out their, but leonard cohen songs are still dominating the charts years later, again speaking the thoughts of many, as poetry so often does. And don't doubt the brilliance of the man's voice, even if it is not orthodox.

There's my picks and the reasons for it. Hope somebody agrees.

Answer 3

Brian Wilson

Answer 4

Elliott Smith is an absolutely amazing songwriter with profound lyrics.

Keane is another great one.

There are many different great songwriters and the opinion varies greatly by the person.

Answer 5

Jimmy Page wrote all of Zeppelin 1 and most of 2 then the Page/Plant writing team

Answer 6

Tough question... Roger Waters/David Gilmour/Rick Wright

Answer 7

Hard to say ever and everyone's tastes is different. But my faves are Bob Dylan (I BREATHE to the Highway 61 album) and Leonard Cohen. Their lyrics (if you're open enough to let them) just seem to reach out and capture a peace of your soul.

Answer 8

I don't know about EVER, but I like the person who wrote "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", Roy Orbison, Cole Porter, Paula Cole, Beatles.

Answer 9

Joe Strummer and Nikki Sixx!

Answer 10

John Lennon or Bob Marley.