ri Alban Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 On 22/09/2019 at 07:16, Les Izemore said: Guilty as charged. 😀 I do tend to get a bit wound up about the deification of Strummer and Weller, both mediocre songwriters and musicians that have been placed on too high a pedestal by cloth-eared chumps. In your opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 (edited) Radiohead Led Zeppelin Queen Bowie Elton/Bernie Noel Gallagher Damon Albarn Morrissey/Marr Annie Lennox Townsend, Weller and Davies are my personal top 3. But, the older I get, the more I like The Beatles, The Stones and Oasis. Oh I forgot, Adele and Amy Winehouse are pretty good, anaw. Edited September 24, 2019 by ri Alban Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyBatistuta Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 Might have missed it, but can’t believe nobody hasn’t mentioned Johnny Cash. Also think Buddy Holly should be on any list. The guy came up with so much in a short period of time. He surely would have gone on to write many more classics if he hadn’t been tragically taken from us at such an early age. Some might disagree with my final one, but the guy is a lyrical genius imo...Eminem. His 1999 album ‘Slim Shady’ is a staggering piece of work, groundbreaking stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brighton Jambo Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 10 hours ago, Pans Jambo said: Cant believe nobody has mentioned Bruce Springsteen. Took the words right off my finger tips. Springsteen is up there with Dylan for writing songs that are ‘whole stories’ in themselves. you could make a film based on a number of Dylan and Springsteen songs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Gin Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 On 21/09/2019 at 00:12, Lovecraft said: I'm drunk and going through my music "library" Currently listening to George Michael, one of my Favorite songwriters ever. The man just wrote so many amazing songs. Lennon Dylan Gibb ABBA What's yours? Any hidden gems? Thom Yorke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felix Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 Although feted, never sure about Bowie's cut & paste technique. Van Morrison and Leonard Cohen on the other hand, wrote some incredible stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankblack Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 6 hours ago, felix said: Although feted, never sure about Bowie's cut & paste technique. Van Morrison and Leonard Cohen on the other hand, wrote some incredible stuff. I quite like Leonard Cohen but find Van Morrison's stuff hit or miss. Bowie was far more than "cut and paste" and hadn't lost a plagiarism case (that I know of) unlike others on this thread. He was a visionary like Madonna in bringing underground fashion into the mainstream. Few have a back catalogue as consistent over a 50 year career. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felix Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 32 minutes ago, frankblack said: I quite like Leonard Cohen but find Van Morrison's stuff hit or miss. Bowie was far more than "cut and paste" and hadn't lost a plagiarism case (that I know of) unlike others on this thread. He was a visionary like Madonna in bringing underground fashion into the mainstream. Few have a back catalogue as consistent over a 50 year career. I meant cut and paste words and phrases that he thought sounded good, then put a decent tune to it . Always struck me as an odd method of songwriting. You're right about his back catalogue & influence. Few can match Bowie in that respect, but Van Morrison does. and some more. Since we're talking songwriting, there's nothing that Bowie did lyrical imo that touches Astral Weeks; St Dominic's Preview; Veedon Fleece; Beautiful Vision or Sense of Wonder . For fashion / style and arguably influence - Bowie every time. Not for songwriting; (imo of course). 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovecraft Posted September 24, 2019 Author Share Posted September 24, 2019 9 hours ago, Ray Gin said: Thom Yorke Yup. Agreed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovecraft Posted September 24, 2019 Author Share Posted September 24, 2019 I have been working my way through ELO recently. Jeff Lynne is damn good too. I have always been a huge fan of The Travelling Wilburys and always wondered why he was in the group. Starting to realise now though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
systemx Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 Kenny Gamble Leon Huff up there with Holland Dozier Holland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobey Dosser Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 Lyrically, I think Leonard Cohen is the master. Michael Stipe in second place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyNic Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 Scott Hutchison. Freddie Mercury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxy Hearts Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 Carole King Carly Simon Madonna Any more ladies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobboM Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 1 minute ago, Roxy Hearts said: Carole King Carly Simon Madonna Any more ladies? Kirsty MacColl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknown user Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 4 minutes ago, Roxy Hearts said: Carole King Carly Simon Madonna Any more ladies? 2 minutes ago, RobboM said: Kirsty MacColl June Carter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victorian Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 Chaka Khan is worth a mention anaw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
been here before Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 10 minutes ago, Victorian said: Chaka Khan is worth a mention anaw. Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan, Chuka, Chuka, Chuka, Chuka Khan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyBatistuta Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 23 hours ago, Pans Jambo said: Cant believe nobody has mentioned Bruce Springsteen. Many classic songs started life as contractual obligations. Bruce Springsteen didn’t want to write ‘Dancing In The Dark’, he was ordered to by his manager Jon Landau, who thought ‘Born In The USA’ lacked a radio hit (hence the first line, “…I ain’t got nothin’ to say”: Bruce was in a huff, he was trying to make a point). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankblack Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 3 hours ago, felix said: I meant cut and paste words and phrases that he thought sounded good, then put a decent tune to it . Always struck me as an odd method of songwriting. You're right about his back catalogue & influence. Few can match Bowie in that respect, but Van Morrison does. and some more. Since we're talking songwriting, there's nothing that Bowie did lyrical imo that touches Astral Weeks; St Dominic's Preview; Veedon Fleece; Beautiful Vision or Sense of Wonder . For fashion / style and arguably influence - Bowie every time. Not for songwriting; (imo of course). 👍 I'm not that familiar with Van Morrison's back catalogue and most of what I've heard of him isn't my bag, but it doesn't seem you are very familiar with Bowie's albums. I looked at the track listing for Astral Weeks and none of the titles seem familiar. If you want examples of Bowie lyrics check out Lazarus and Blackstar from his last album, which is truly touching as the last words of a man who knows his time has come. Then you have some of the most iconic songs of all time - Space Oddity, Life On Mars, "Heroes", Young Americans for starters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auld Reekin' Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 1 hour ago, Roxy Hearts said: Carole King Carly Simon Madonna Any more ladies? Rennie Sparks (The Handsome Family), Sheryl Crow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovecraft Posted September 24, 2019 Author Share Posted September 24, 2019 Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star) Alison Goldfrapp Beth Gibbons (Portishead) Nora Jones - Don't care what some people think, she is a great songwriter. Joanna Newsom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 In addition to Joni Mitchell who I mentioned earlier there are a great number of female songwriters I listen to a lot. PJ Harvey Tori Amos Cat Power Also Dolly Parton wrote quite a few classics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 3 hours ago, Roxy Hearts said: Carole King Carly Simon Madonna Any more ladies? Kate Bush Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
been here before Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 Billy Bragg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pans Jambo Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 9 hours ago, luckyBatistuta said: Many classic songs started life as contractual obligations. Bruce Springsteen didn’t want to write ‘Dancing In The Dark’, he was ordered to by his manager Jon Landau, who thought ‘Born In The USA’ lacked a radio hit (hence the first line, “…I ain’t got nothin’ to say”: Bruce was in a huff, he was trying to make a point). Not a bad track considering he was in the cream puff. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martoon Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 Ray Davies Lennon McCartney Jagger/Richards Carole King Buddy Holly Irving Berlin Paul Simon David Sylvian Kate Bush Roddy Frame Gallacher and Lyle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyBatistuta Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 7 minutes ago, Pans Jambo said: Not a bad track considering he was in the cream puff. 👍 Certainly was 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunks Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 Jake Thackray - a literary genius IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyBatistuta Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 Not the greatest of singers, but has written plenty great songs...Chris Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All roads lead to Gorgie Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 Jackson Browne has to one of the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Potter Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 9 hours ago, ri Alban said: Kate Bush i like her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deodato Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 Guy Chambers has always been high on my list. His work spreads far and beyond the Robbie Williams hits. He wrote a musical for children's book The Selfish Giant called Magical Love and to be frank, its up there with the Beatles. As soon as I heard this, it felt like the song Lennon and McCartney would have gone on to produce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All roads lead to Gorgie Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 (edited) 10 hours ago, Tazio said: In addition to Joni Mitchell who I mentioned earlier there are a great number of female songwriters I listen to a lot. PJ Harvey Tori Amos Cat Power Also Dolly Parton wrote quite a few classics. PJ Harvey is probably my favourite female singer of all time but it is a close call with Hope Sandoval who has such an addictive voice whoever she sings with, not just with Mazzy Star or The Warm Inventions. Some recent discoveries I really like and who write their own songs are Sharon Van Etton Marissa Nadler Amanda Shires ( Alt Country/ Americana) Edited September 25, 2019 by All roads lead to Gorgie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Albert Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 On 21/09/2019 at 09:44, Tazio said: Also all the amazing writers that wrote for other people. From genius like Cole Porter through to people like Carole King and Gerry Goffin . Then the staff writers at Motown like Holland/Dozier/Holland. Jimmy Webb wrote a few crackers as did Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham. Glad the great American songbook gets a look in. Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin. Hoagy Carmichael, Duke Ellington, Jerome Kern, Rogers and Hart, Johnny Mercer to name but a few. Many "pure" songwriters rather than performers, and whose songs have been covered, re-arranged and reinterpreted in versions which often surpass the original versions, including covers by some of the newer singers and musicians on this thread (passing quickly over McCartney's torture of them). Lennon and McCartney were great but their own versions were rarely even closely matched let alone improved in later non-Beatles versions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I P Knightley Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 If you want 'astonishing', you've got another vote here for Kate Bush. Mainly because of her youth when she turned out Wuthering Heights - an astounding tune that really stood the test of time. Paul Weller for similar reasons, writing tunes in his late teen that were great for the time and are still great for young and old listeners. (I'd also commend Cat Stevens for all that he wrote at a young age.) I saw a mention of Paul Heaton who I'd also list. I love someone who can write melodious, jaunty tunes and harmonies which have biting lyrics behind them. He's still got it. In a similar mould is Justin Currie: lots of very clever songs, both lyrically and musically - a real favourite. Of the 'biggies', I'd go for John Lennon, Paul McCartney & Pete Townshend for pushing boundaries rather than just great songs and Springsteen must get a mention for longevity and continued relevance. Just to remind you what a great songwriter Kate Bush was: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJGJ Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 (edited) ***** Crosby (*anny)..genuine Robert Lowry Edited September 25, 2019 by CJGJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 Ian Curtis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rudi must stay Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 Rodriguez The Alan Parsons Band Sting Phil Collins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimKongUno Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 Bob Marley and Jim Morrison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Gin Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 18 hours ago, Roxy Hearts said: Carole King Carly Simon Madonna Any more ladies? Nina Simone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyBatistuta Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, I P Knightley said: If you want 'astonishing', you've got another vote here for Kate Bush. Just to remind you what a great songwriter Kate Bush was: Back in the day, I would have agreed with you, yes👍 Just to remind you what what a great songwriter Kate Bush now isn’t: Edited September 25, 2019 by luckyBatistuta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxy Hearts Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 (edited) 18 hours ago, frankblack said: I'm not that familiar with Van Morrison's back catalogue and most of what I've heard of him isn't my bag, but it doesn't seem you are very familiar with Bowie's albums. I looked at the track listing for Astral Weeks and none of the titles seem familiar. If you want examples of Bowie lyrics check out Lazarus and Blackstar from his last album, which is truly touching as the last words of a man who knows his time has come. Then you have some of the most iconic songs of all time - Space Oddity, Life On Mars, "Heroes", Young Americans for starters. Starman is one of my favourite tunes. Changes, Sound and Vision, Jean Jeanie, Man who sold the world. He wrote some great songs. Prefer Ferry but Bowie was brilliant. Edited September 25, 2019 by Roxy Hearts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the general Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 Costello for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I P Knightley Posted September 26, 2019 Share Posted September 26, 2019 17 hours ago, luckyBatistuta said: Back in the day, I would have agreed with you, yes👍 Just to remind you what what a great songwriter Kate Bush now isn’t: It doesn't stop what she wrote in her teens as being astonishing, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknown user Posted September 26, 2019 Share Posted September 26, 2019 On 25/09/2019 at 07:23, martoon said: Ray Davies Lennon McCartney Jagger/Richards Carole King Buddy Holly Irving Berlin Paul Simon David Sylvian Kate Bush Roddy Frame Gallacher and Lyle I love when people appreciate the kinks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Posted September 26, 2019 Share Posted September 26, 2019 Gene Clark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martoon Posted September 26, 2019 Share Posted September 26, 2019 4 hours ago, Smithee said: I love when people appreciate the kinks I love the way Ray laces his songs with humour. So many classic songs to chose from, Smithee, but, for me, "Shangri-la" is his masterpiece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad Magic Posted September 26, 2019 Share Posted September 26, 2019 Any shouts for Mark Knopfler? As well as all his Dire Straits stuff and huge number of solo recordings he wrote some iconic film scores. Local Hero Cal The Princess Bride Genius guitar skills and not a bad song writer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auld Reekin' Posted September 26, 2019 Share Posted September 26, 2019 1 hour ago, martoon said: I love the way Ray laces his songs with humour. So many classic songs to chose from, Smithee, but, for me, "Shangri-la" is his masterpiece. Neil Hannon (Divine Comedy) is another excellent songwriter who writes a good, humorous lyric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.