Lyricists

[hearthammer]

Who are the top lyricists who's telling of great stories are transformed into brilliant songs with the addition of equally brilliant or superb music ??

For me, I'd go for :

1)          Paul Simon                                               either as a solo artist or in collaborations

2)          Bernie Taupin                                         the man behind all of Elton John's best and most successful songs

3)         Joan Armatrading                                her stories evoke the full gamut of emotions

4)         Chris Difford                                           with Glen Tilbrook's music in Squeeze 

5)         Jim Steinman                                        without whom Meatloaf would probably never have left the stage

A special mention for Stuart Adamson as his lyrics tell stories from the heart and about his life

Edited March 26, 2021 by hearthammer

[Jimi Shandrix]

Paul Simon

Morrissey

Bill Callahan

Jason Molina

Leonard Cohen

[printer]

1 - Bob Dylan

2 - er

3 - that's it.

[8MileBU]

1. Maynard J Keenan

 

Close thread.

[Hauftimedraw]

Ian Dury... Definitely a clever b*****d!

[hearthammer]

1 hour ago, Jimi Shandrix said:

Paul Simon

Morrissey

Bill Callahan

Jason Molina

Leonard Cohen

Shame on me omitting Leonard Cohen and it seems there will be others too.  Great shout.

[Derry Alli]

Gerry Cinnamon. 

[DAFC.]

Morrissey in his Smiths days - "I decree today that life is simply taking and not giving"

Michael Stipe - "But their world is flat backgrounds, with little need to sleep just to dream"

Then some other people. Bob Dylan or some other fuckers. 

 

Edited March 27, 2021 by DAFC.

[Dan Steele]

Jackson Browne 

Carole King 

The Abba lads 

Curtis Mayfield 

Jimmy Webb

 

 

[hearthammer]

1 minute ago, The Skelpit Lug said:

Jackson Browne 

Carole King 

The Abba lads 

Curtis Mayfield 

Jimmy Webb

 

 

Another one who merits a place on my list,

 

Mea culpa

[Melanius Mullarkey]

1 hour ago, Mr. Alli said:

Gerry Cinnamon. 

Banging m8.

He’s oor Kerouac. Get him oan the curriculum.

[hearthammer]

38 minutes ago, Melanius Mullarkey said:

Banging m8.

He’s oor Kerouac. Get him oan the curriculum.

That's a belter  

[tamthebam]

Some others

Lennon and McCartney 

Ray Davies

Michael Marra

Randy Newman

 

 

 

[Eednud]

Harry Vanda and George Young

Barry and/or Robin and/or Maurice Gibb

Nanker and Phelge / Jagger and Richards

Neil Young 

Joni Mitchell

[placidcasual]

Ray Davies

Jim Morrison

Chuck D

Bowie

Stevie Wonder

[Jimi Shandrix]

31 minutes ago, placidcasual said:

Ray Davies

Jim Morrison

Chuck D

Bowie

Stevie Wonder

[Richey Edwards]

Fish

David Bowie

Morrissey

Elvis Costello

Michael Stipe

 

[SANTAN]

Eminem

Kendrick Lamar

Dave

J Cole

Plan B

[topcat(The most tip top)]

Leonard Cohen : 
They're lining up the prisoners
And the guards are taking aim
I struggled with some demons
They were middle-class and tame

Tom Waits
You got to tell me brave captain,
Why are the wicked so strong,
How do the angels get to sleep,
When the devil leaves the porch light on.

Tom Lehrer
We've gained notoriety and caused much anxiety
In the Audubon Society with our games
They call it impiety, and lack of propriety
And quite a variety of unpleasant names
But it's not against any religion
To want to dispose of a pigeon

Neil Peart
No hero in your tragedy
No daring in your escape
No salutes for your surrender
Nothing noble in your fate
Christ, what have you done?

Lemmy
If you squeeze my lizard
I'll put my snake on you
I'm a romantic adventure
And I'm a reptile too

[Barry Ferguson's Hat]

Brent.