Who Is Your Favourite Lyricist?

Question

I'm only asking such a boring question cause I'm bored, and sitting here listening to Bell X1, a band I'm not sure I'd like nearly as much if I wasn't so taken with the lyrics (I'd still like them, but I doubt they'd be one of my favourite bands).

So, whose lyrics do you really love, or are a song's lyrics even important to you.

Oh, and I'm not fussy about whether you just give the band and not the person who actually writes the songs.

And why do you like them?

Sookie:
It's nice to know I'm not the only one :)
Incubus are one of those bands I've always meant to look into, but never really known where to start.

Sarah C:
It's kind of weird that you should say that about Bob Dylan. I was just listening to "Masters of War" a few minutes ago and thinking how great it is the way his songs are still as relevant today as they were the day they were written. Spooky.

MachPen:
Great choices! I especially love the Shins' lyrics. And how could anybody not like Bowie's?!

Answer 1

I think it's a tie between Rasputina's Melora Creager and Of Montreal's Lyrics (primarily written by Byrnes). I like Melora's lyrics because a lot of them are based on real and sometimes fictionalized historical events, people, and places. So it's like listening to a history story but with much feeling and emotion. I like Of Montreal's lyrics because they can be extremely personal. I also just like the phrasing, it's really interesting how he can take a simple thought and make it something more meaningful.

Answer 2

I'm bored too...looks like we're bored together. :)

I think Brandon Boyd from Incubus has a very interesting lyrical style. Sometimes it's completely rhythmic, and other times it flows and paints a picture.

Edit: I'm watching the clock at this point...yikes!

Incubus is awesome - they have a funky side that I love, but they are a bit more cerebral than that. All fans have their opinions about this, but if I were to suggest an album to someone it would be either "Morning View" or "A Crow Left of the Murder". Their early stuff is great too.

Answer 3

Rukrym!! Didn't realize you had a question posted. OK - ready?

1. Frank Black
2. Morrissey
3. Bob Dylan
4. Ben Gibbard (Deathcab)
5. James Mercer (The Shins)
6. Dante Decaro (Wolf Parade)
7. Tori Amos
8. John McCrea (Cake)
9. David Bowie

Answer 4

John Lennon
Neil Hannon
Paul Simon
Pete Townshend
David Bowie
Roger Waters
Donald Fagen

Answer 5

Of course Frank Zappa is on the top of my list!
But I haven't seen Keith Reid mentioned yet. He was the brilliant lyricist for the band Procol Harum. Although he didn't actually play with the band, he was considered the 6th member.
Some of my other favorites would be, Nick Drake, Lou Reed, Lennon & McCartney, Ian Matthews, and of course The Grateful Dead; Garcia / Weir / Lesh / Godchaux / Kreutzmann / McKernan / Hunter etc.

Answer 6

John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello and Paul Weller.

Answer 7

For me, the team of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, collaboratively known as Steely Dan, are at the height of writing with a whimsical but sardonic view of the world around them. All this and catchy tunes, too. The musicianship is paramount to the process, and it shows in the glowing delivery of each song. Quite a package.

Answer 8

Elvis Costello
Elliott Smith
Joe Strummer
Nick Cave

Answer 9

A song's lyrics are almost always more important than the music to me. (hey, i'm into punk mostly, what do you want)
My favorite lyricist is Morrissey. Because his writing is so darkly humorous and clever. And Michael Stipe because REM's songs are just brilliant. Some of the smartest lyrics around!

Answer 10

Syd Barrett, Frank Zappa, Harry Nilsson