Favorite Lyricists

[BenjiJuanKenobi]

For a breath of fresh air, I thought I would ask for people's favorite lyricists. Of course, guitar is our primary focus. :)

Here are some of mine: Bob Dylan, Lennon/McCartney, Robert Plant (he borrowed a lot, but also came up with some great original stuff), Sting, Chris Robinson, Elvis Costello, Paul Westerberg, Ray Davies, Richard Thompson, Pete Townsend, Chuck Berry, Springsteen, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters.

Some of Bono's lyrics are great, but sometimes I have no idea what he is talking about.

Axl Rose was a pretty good lyricist, but not much of a singer. I think Scott Weiland is a better vocalist but not as good a lyricist.

Honorable mentions to: Buddy Holly, Mick Jagger, Robert Cray, Corey Glover, Mellencamp, Freddie Mercury & Roger Taylor, John Lydon, Shirley Manson.

Who wrote the lyrics to some of those old Faces/Rod Stewart songs? Was that Rod or Ronnie Wood or both? Some of those were Dylan covers, I know.

[VirgilCaine]

I'd add Frank Zappa, Robbie Robertson, Tom Petty, Jeff Tweedy, and Iggy Pop.

[slowpokerhino]

I know this may be a lame submission but my wife loves Matchbox 20 and I must say Rob Thomas does write some very good lyrics.

[BenjiJuanKenobi]

I try to avoid saying negative things about people -- especially if I don't feel like I know enough on the subject. Also when it comes to music, I will listen to anything at least once. Don't know much about Rob Thomas or Matchbox 20. I have been told Matchbox 20 was assembled by a record company specifically for Rob Thomas. Don't know if it is true.

I love going to re-sale record shops to buy gently used CDs. Great way to expand your musical horizons on the cheap. Maybe I'll pickup some Matchbox 20.

The Band had great lyrics too, but I know Robbie Robertson had help from the other guys in the group.

I also dig some of Iggy Pop's stuff. It kind of amazes me that his music appears in mainstream commercials nowadays -- along with Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, etc. I guess anything can go mainstream if you wait long enough. Think we will see Robert Maplethorpe stamps from the US postal service in our life time? :shock: I can see it now -- Christmas cards with a stamp-sized picture of a greased, naked black man with a bullwhip coming out of his ass on the outside envelope. :shock:

[surfnorthwest]

Neil Young has to be up there, as would Jefferson Starship. Toto was another band that had some great lyrics and a couple of honorable mentions to Planet P and the Moody Blues.

[Kongels]

Dude, Robert Plant.

[BenjiJuanKenobi]

I don't if you are agreeing with my selection of Robert Plant or disputing it. I know some people don't think much of him as a lyricist. Sure he borrowed a lot from classic blues men, but he came up with some amazing original stuff too. Lyrically there was nothing like Stairway To Heaven or Immigrant Song when he wrote them, and those lyrics are perfect for those songs. I could go on.

Have you noticed that Robert Plant is the only guy who can act like Robert Plant without looking ridiculous? I also think Jim Morrison is the only vocalist who can sing in his style without sounding like Bill Murray doing his lounge singer character. :D

[teddy07x]

I try to avoid saying negative things about people -- especially if I don't feel like I know enough on the subject. Also when it comes to music, I will listen to anything at least once. Don't know much about Rob Thomas or Matchbox 20. I have been told Matchbox 20 was assembled by a record company specifically for Rob Thomas. Don't know if it is true.

I love going to re-sale record shops to buy gently used CDs. Great way to expand your musical horizons on the cheap. Maybe I'll pickup some Matchbox 20.

The Band had great lyrics too, but I know Robbie Robertson had help from the other guys in the group.

I also dig some of Iggy Pop's stuff. It kind of amazes me that his music appears in mainstream commercials nowadays -- along with Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, etc. I guess anything can go mainstream if you wait long enough. Think we will see Robert Maplethorpe stamps from the US postal service in our life time? :shock: I can see it now -- Christmas cards with a stamp-sized picture of a greased, naked black man with a bullwhip coming out of his ass on the outside envelope. :shock:

Actually, no they weren't put together by Atlantic. I know the dude who signed them. The President of the label wasn't impressed with MB20 live, but the A&R had him listen to his LYRICS and the singers VOICE!
They sucked live he said, Rob Thomas was fat, had a military cut and wore flipflops on stage. But the songs were great.

Rob Thomas was also a dude who didn't have an easy upbringing. He often didn't have a home and had to couch surf. He wanted to make pop rock and that was his dream. He would also play the piano at parties for a place to stay and food.

I'm not a huge fan of their music. But I admire his hardwork and talent. There is a reason to why they sell so many records. It has to be touching someone.

they were NOT put together by the label. But the label put Rob Thomas on a diet and freshened him up a bit. They got a good producer, which always helps a struggling start up band, and they made a kick ass record.

[Kongels]

I don't if you are agreeing with my selection of Robert Plant or disputing it. I know some people don't think much of him as a lyricist. Sure he borrowed a lot from classic blues men, but he came up with some amazing original stuff too. Lyrically there was nothing like Stairway To Heaven or Immigrant Song when he wrote them, and those lyrics are perfect for those songs. I could go on.

Have you noticed that Robert Plant is the only guy who can act like Robert Plant without looking ridiculous? I also think Jim Morrison is the only vocalist who can sing in his style without sounding like Bill Murray doing his lounge singer character. :D

Oh man, I didn't see you had Robert Plant, I think he is amazing. What is and what should never be, Stairway, Song Remains the Same, so many songs. :) I was just tired and he was the first lyricist that popped in my head. The Rain Song, Awesome lyrics as well. The blues stuff he borrowed is the blues stuff he borrowed, the original stuff he wrote is absolutely some of my favorite lyrics ever.

[BenjiJuanKenobi]

I didn't know that about Rob Thomas. Thanks for the info.

[Slash1337]

Must mention Mr. Cash, Jim Morrison, Freddie Murcury!!!!, Roy Orbinson, Jeff Healey, Scott Weiland, Axl Rose, I also think some of Ozzy's lyrics are pretty sweet too. And my all time favourite lyricist... Alice Cooper. I love his style, nothing super hard.. but it's fun, and creative.