Please provide links or examples in your answer to help me understand what makes them great. Thanks!
2007-05-16 05:33:50 · 12 answers · asked by TubeDude 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Performing Arts
Diane Warren
She was nominated for 4 Golden Globe awards, 6 Academy Awards and & 7 Grammys. She was inducted into the songwriters hall of fame in 2001
Bernie Taupin
Wrote for Elton John, including both Candle in the Wind(s)
Inducted 1992
2007-05-16 05:43:50 · answer #1 · answered by BillyTheKid 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Ultimately a rather ephemeral question as everyone will have a different opinion.
Diane Warren has indeed written some of the most popular songs ever (performed by artists from Aero Smith to Celine Dion) She is also reviled by alot of people for using formulas and recycling.
Lucinda Williams is a singer songwriter who has done alot of work for other people in addition to being a very strong performer in her own right. She is regarded by many as one of the best songwriters and lyricists of her generation.
Tori Amos has more of a cult following than a large mainstream audience, but she is regarded as being one of the most innovative and creative songwriters out there. Her lyrics while at times whimsical to the point of being nonsensical however transcend any specific type of music and often contain powerful stories, if you can get past some of the crazy.
Beck and Ryan Adams are two of the most prolific songwriters and lyricists of their generation.
Rufus Wainwright has an amazing gift for words and for evoking imagery in his songs. He also has an incredibly distinctive voice.
Arcade Fire writes cathartic anthemic songs with simple but rather powerful lyrical messages.
Missy Elliot is by far one of the most innovative and creative rappers. her flow and delivery are matched only by her ability to use words in interesting and unique ways, and to create slick lyrical webs that veer between scat like warbling and genuine reflection.
Tupac was considered one of the greatest rap lyrcists of all times, often ascribed more as a poet than simply a musician.
2007-05-16 07:55:40 · answer #2 · answered by firesinavalon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A great lyricist, in my opinion, is an artist who has something to say and executes it in a way that both grabs your attention and moves you. That said, I have to put John Lennon, Eminem and Peter Gabriel at the head of the men's list and Tori Amos at the top of the women's list. In the realm of musical theatre, it would be a crime not to acknowledge Stephen Sondheim as the king of lyricsts, but following close in his footsteps is Jason Robert Brown. The recent work on "Spring Awakening" by Duncan Sheik is brilliant as well.
2007-05-16 07:11:25 · answer #3 · answered by Hope V 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Stephen Sondheim. The reason for greatness in lyricists, is their infinite capacity for taking pains. (And doing their own research).
2007-05-16 05:38:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bob Dylan
Neil Young
2007-05-16 05:36:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
craig david - hypnotic
No time for drinks at the bar even though she's got me so hot at the risk of
Losing it all, I
Don't want to be the one the fool to let her go
Think it's about time that I dropped my my cool and let her know that
She's sensational got me watchin every move and got me begging for more well
Holding back it nearly drove me crazy that's when I slid up and said girl excuse me
Mmm you're looking so damn fly tonight
Your body gives me butterflies inside
I'd really like to talk to you
So keep doin what you're doing
Ooh baby
YEAH BABY OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
his verbage is uncompromised
2007-05-16 05:37:04 · answer #6 · answered by valley girl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like Iron Maiden and Rush, though most of their stuff is from the 80's. Really good lyrics.
2007-05-16 05:36:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lennon & McCartney. Their music has stayed with me since birth and the lyrics always seem to ring true in my life.
2007-05-16 08:06:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rufus Wainwright -- ex. "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk"
Imogen Heap -- ex. "Hide and Seek"
Tom Waits -- lots, but "Bottom of the World" "Pasties and a G String" are some of the good ones...
2007-05-16 05:36:53 · answer #9 · answered by emmesokol57 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ryan Adams: see his album "Cold Roses" with The Cardinals
Incubus (Brandon Boyd): see albums "A Crow Left of the Murder" and "Morning View"
2007-05-16 06:00:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋