After Bob Dylan, who is the greatest rock lyricist? John Lennon, Neil Young or Roger Waters?

Question

It really comes down to those three in terms of greatness. Neil is probably my favorite, but it's hard to put him over Lennon, who had such a profound impact with his words.

Answer 1

First of all, Dylan was "THE" songwriter of the 20th century (can't play a lick, but writes a great lyric).

As for the ones you listed

1. Lennon - sheer impact and longevity
2. Young- I like his stuff better for my playing, but he is not on the level with the two above.
3. Waters - close, but not quite...

Now to the Clash post above - great band (and you even picked my favorite song to quote), but come on.....nowhere near Lennon!!

Answer 2

John Lennon

Answer 3

Roger Waters...John Lennon....Neil Young

Answer 4

Roger's lyrics has its funny moments, but Gilmour made those songs great. Roger's a huge fan of all those mentioned.

Lennon and McCartney together were a great team, I don't think solo they were as good... believe it or not, Yoko had co-written some of the solo songs. Without her "Imagine" wouldn't have existed because he got the title off of one of her poems.

Neil's got some great songs that warrant "greatest rock lyricist" but a lot of other names come to mind.

Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell are in that category. Waits got props by Dylan. Don Henley wrote some great lyrics..not just Hotel California but Last Resort is an underrated classic.

Answer 5

they're all good, but I would rate Roger Waters up there, maybe even ahead of Dylan. The only proof I need is the song Sheep, but then there's Money, Fearless et al. For like 10 albums in a row he wrote awesome lyrics before finally falling off with The Final Cut (or maybe it was just the songwriting that sucked on that one).

Answer 6

Lennon

Answer 7

Elton John/ Bernie Taupin
Billy Bragg
Lennon/McCartney

Answer 8

Have you read the sad deep meanings in Simon & Garfunkle songs like "I am a Rock" and "The Sounds of Silence". Haunting!!!

How about Harry Chapin's songs with a full story, like WOLD and "Cat's in the Cradle"

"My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you dad
You know I'm gonna be like you"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home dad?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"...etc.

If I had to pick one of the 3 you suggested, I would vote for Neil Young.

Answer 9

All Three's Work Is Top Notch However Try
Jimmy Page/Robert Plant Just A Tad Better.

Answer 10

Ahh! do now no longer ask questions like this! it fairly is basically too stressful! The humorous factor is that all of them are staggering songwriters who have not have been given traditionally staggering voices. Neil youthful and Bob Dylan notably are like that; i do now no longer choose to take heed to them as a lot by way of fact the different 2, yet they are 2 of the techniques-blowing songwriters ever. I used to hate Tom Waits by way of fact his voice notably lots sounds like it hurts, its so low and gravelly, yet i've got have been given fairly gotten to like it. And it fairly is impossible to now no longer love Johnny money.