Townshend. The Beatles had Lennon/McCartney and Harrison. The Stones had Mick, Keith, et al. Zep had Page, Plant and all the old blues writers they borrowed from or ripped off.
The Who had Pete. Yes, Entwistle wrote a few, but it was 95% Pete.
Paul wrote some amazing stuff. He also wrote some silly, simplistic stuff that drove John crazy ... because John was such a pompous prick! Love the talent, but what a dick.
Gonna try to rejuvenate this convo with some modern names...
It's been quite a process for him and his band in general (and make no mistake, it is Tweedy's band) but he stepped out of the shadow of Jay Farrar and at this point has surpassed Farrar in every way possible. Although I must say, New Multitudes was a great album (Farrar, Anders Parker, Will Johnson, and Jim James, who IMHO is the best frontman in rock music these days with My Morning Jacket). Chorine My Sheba Queen and Empty Bed Blues are incredible songs. Then again, they're Woodie Guthrie songs.
He wrote more hit tunes in a four year period than most of these artists had in a lifetime. He belongs in the conversation. Chrissie Hynde too.
Always thought it was funny that for,all their hits, Creedences best song, IMO and the opinions of many others never saw radio play: Ramble Tamble. Now that's a kick-ass tune...
He wrote more hit tunes in a four year period than most of these artists had in a lifetime. He belongs in the conversation. Chrissie Hynde too.
Therein lies the crux of the biscuit, just because a songwriter has multiple hits, does that qualify him/her as a great songwriter?
As an example ( I'll pick someone not mentioned here as to not trash anyone's selection) Jim Steinman wrote "Bat Out Of Hell", one of the best selling albums in history and a soundtrack to millions of people's childhoods.. I wouldn't consider Steinman a great songwriter even though he's compared himself to Jim Morrison ( which deserves a hearty scoff). Exposure is key to how an artist is viewed and is not an accurate way to determine the quality of songs in any one artists collection.
There's no better songwriter in the game right now than Jason Isbell
He's up there, should have had him on my list. I have a rather wealthy friend who has legit concerts in his yard every summer. Isbell and the 400 Unit were there a few years back and it was great. Very cool guy too. Last year was John McCauley of Deer Tick, who is actually a damn fine writer in his own right.
There's no better songwriter in the game right now than Jason Isbell
He's up there, should have had him on my list. I have a rather wealthy friend who has legit concerts in his yard every summer. Isbell and the 400 Unit were there a few years back and it was great. Very cool guy too. Last year was John McCauley of Deer Tick, who is actually a damn fine writer in his own right.
Isbell and Sturgill Simpson are on a heavy rotation for me these days
Brian Wilson
Waters
Stevie Wonder
Becker & Fagen
Holland, Dozier & Holland
Neil Young
Elvis Costello
Leiber & Stoller
Bono & The Edge
Bowie
Bruce
Smokey
Fogerty
Ray Davies
I was surprised to discover 5-10 years ago that one of my favorite songs by EC was actually written by Nick Lowe. What's So Funny Bout Peace, Love and Understanding.
I was surprised to discover 5-10 years ago that one of my favorite songs by EC was actually written by Nick Lowe. What's So Funny Bout Peace, Love and Understanding.
Me too, surprised. Elvis closes many shows with it and the crowd loves it.
and all my favorites but one have mentioned - and that one is Dave Alvin. From The Blasters, his brief years with X, to his solo stuff, The Guilty Men and up until today 35 years of great American Music.
I would have bet that Rivers Cuomo would have been on this list eventually.
The Blue album and Pinkerton were masterpieces.
He/Weezer didn't continue to evolve despite the sporadic gem since then.
no offense franknweezer
Ha- none taken but thanks for the h/t. I still think Rivers is going to be counted as a legend someday. Just has put out too much tripe since Pinkerton because he's playing to a certain demographic.
But I'll second the nomination for Charles athompaon aka Frank Black/Black Francis. Hell, Bowie and Cobain knew he had the goods. The guy is phenomenal.
Also love the props for John Prine and Tom Petty, and I'd like to add Steve Earle to the mix as well. Cool thread.
would have to be on any list.
Paul Simon
Queens College
no to shabby either
He was mentioned about halfway down page #1 I believe.
Frank Zappa
Roger Hodgson
Jon Anderson
Curtis Mayfield
Richie Havens
Steve Goodman
Carole King is well represented here but I didn't see Gerry Goffin mentioned.
and rightly so
I'll replace him with Ian Anderson.
Thom Yorke: Radiohead
Frank Black: Pixies/Frank Black/Black Francis
Morrisey: The Smiths/Morrisey
Some considered him the most respected songwriter of the '60's British Invasion, which included Lennon/McCartney.
In all honesty, I thought of him for my list but forgot to type him in.
Kris Kristofferson
How about David Bowie?
Didn't Mike Love write such great songs as...ummm....Everyone's In Love With You and...hmm Goin To The Beach?? Blech
Listened to Poco this morning. Hell , his best song was a BS song...kind woman.
Pickin Up The Pieces is a masterpiece. Think about Stills/Young/Furay production immediately after BS. Wowoeowo
The Who had Pete. Yes, Entwistle wrote a few, but it was 95% Pete.
Tom Waits
Robbie Robertson
Bob Marley
Roger Waters
Conor Oberst
Jeff Tweedy
M. Ward
Iron and Wine-Biting your Tail - ( New Window )
It's been quite a process for him and his band in general (and make no mistake, it is Tweedy's band) but he stepped out of the shadow of Jay Farrar and at this point has surpassed Farrar in every way possible. Although I must say, New Multitudes was a great album (Farrar, Anders Parker, Will Johnson, and Jim James, who IMHO is the best frontman in rock music these days with My Morning Jacket). Chorine My Sheba Queen and Empty Bed Blues are incredible songs. Then again, they're Woodie Guthrie songs.
Always thought it was funny that for,all their hits, Creedences best song, IMO and the opinions of many others never saw radio play: Ramble Tamble. Now that's a kick-ass tune...
Therein lies the crux of the biscuit, just because a songwriter has multiple hits, does that qualify him/her as a great songwriter?
As an example ( I'll pick someone not mentioned here as to not trash anyone's selection) Jim Steinman wrote "Bat Out Of Hell", one of the best selling albums in history and a soundtrack to millions of people's childhoods.. I wouldn't consider Steinman a great songwriter even though he's compared himself to Jim Morrison ( which deserves a hearty scoff). Exposure is key to how an artist is viewed and is not an accurate way to determine the quality of songs in any one artists collection.
He's up there, should have had him on my list. I have a rather wealthy friend who has legit concerts in his yard every summer. Isbell and the 400 Unit were there a few years back and it was great. Very cool guy too. Last year was John McCauley of Deer Tick, who is actually a damn fine writer in his own right.
Quote:
There's no better songwriter in the game right now than Jason Isbell
He's up there, should have had him on my list. I have a rather wealthy friend who has legit concerts in his yard every summer. Isbell and the 400 Unit were there a few years back and it was great. Very cool guy too. Last year was John McCauley of Deer Tick, who is actually a damn fine writer in his own right.
Isbell and Sturgill Simpson are on a heavy rotation for me these days
Afterward in no particular order;
Brian Wilson
Waters
Stevie Wonder
Becker & Fagen
Holland, Dozier & Holland
Neil Young
Elvis Costello
Leiber & Stoller
Bono & The Edge
Bowie
Bruce
Smokey
Fogerty
Ray Davies
The Blue album and Pinkerton were masterpieces.
He/Weezer didn't continue to evolve despite the sporadic gem since then.
no offense franknweezer
Me too, surprised. Elvis closes many shows with it and the crowd loves it.
The Blue album and Pinkerton were masterpieces.
He/Weezer didn't continue to evolve despite the sporadic gem since then.
no offense franknweezer
Ha- none taken but thanks for the h/t. I still think Rivers is going to be counted as a legend someday. Just has put out too much tripe since Pinkerton because he's playing to a certain demographic.
But I'll second the nomination for Charles athompaon aka Frank Black/Black Francis. Hell, Bowie and Cobain knew he had the goods. The guy is phenomenal.
Also love the props for John Prine and Tom Petty, and I'd like to add Steve Earle to the mix as well. Cool thread.
Gene Clark
John Cale