Who is the greatest songwriter of all time?

Answer 1

Depends on what era you're talking about. If it's old music, I'd say Irving Berlin, Ira Gershwin or Cole Porter, but modern day geniuses include Bob Dylan, Lennon/McCartney, Jagger/Richards etc. If it's folk singing, then try Woddy Guthrie and Huddie Ledbetter. If it's musicals Rogers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe etc. To be honest, it all depends on what you like, but also what genre you're talking about.

Answer 2

Hello.In my mind,the greatest living songwriter is Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues.Apart from 'Nights In White Satin' he has written many brilliant songs amongst which are 'Question', 'I Know You're Out There Somewhere', 'Your Wildest Dreams', 'I Dreamed Last Night', 'English Sunset', 'Broken Dream', and the Christmas songs 'Don't Need A Reindeer' and 'December Snown'. Not heard of him or his songs? It doesn't suprise me if you haven't. None of his solo music ever gets played on dreary UK radio and of his Moody Blues stuff only 'Nights In White Satin' is the norm and that song is now nearly 40 years old! I could listen to his solo and group music for hours at a time.Each song is a refreshing experience many modern day so-called singer/songwriters couldn't even begin to make for themselves. When you next wander around a cd store, try and get his albums 'Blue Jays' 1975 (recently remastered and re-issued) 'A View From The Hill' and the Moody Blues album 'December' and you'll see what I mean. Don't forget a Moody Blues 'Best Of' either! Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Elton John

Answer 4

Sorry everybody else on this list, but

the only two songwriters I've ever found whose lyrics are dense, clever and evocative enough to read on the page as actual poetry, and not just as Very Poetic But Still Only Song Lyrics, are Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen.

Of those two, Tom Waits has more variety in his topics and tells a far better story, but Leonard Cohen's songs all shine like diamonds. Tom's had more output, and he's a far far better musician (my vote for the most interesting musician since 1980), but Leonard's songs are purer poetry.

I'll take Leonard's five best songs over Tom's five best, but I'll take Tom's entire body of work over Leonard's.

Apologies to:
John Lennon, Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan, Lou Reed's prime, Stevie Wonder's prime, Cole Porter, Cat Stevens, and Nick Drake.

Answer 5

Elton John

Answer 6

John Lennon

Answer 7

Lennon-McCartney, Irving Berlin, George Gerschwin

Answer 8

So many, I agree with most that have already been mentioned, particularly Don McLean, John Lennon and Holland/Dozier/Holland. I've always loved Paul Simon's songs - wondeful melodies and rich and articulate lyrics. I think a lot of Squeeze's songs were clever and well written.

Answer 9

Elton John

Answer 10

Burt Bacharach