Poll

Who wrote/writes the best lyrics?

Bob Dylan
10 (26.3%)
Kimya Dawson
2 (5.3%)
Leonard Cohen
4 (10.5%)
Gordon Lightfoot
1 (2.6%)
Maynard James Keenan
3 (7.9%)
Tom Waits
3 (7.9%)
Adam Duritz
1 (2.6%)
Lamont Dozier
0 (0%)
Bruce Springsteen
0 (0%)
Brian Holland & Edward Holland
0 (0%)
Warren Zevon
2 (5.3%)
Neil Young
3 (7.9%)
John Lennon
3 (7.9%)
Roger Waters
1 (2.6%)
Tom Petty
1 (2.6%)
Johnny Cash
0 (0%)
Frank Zappa
1 (2.6%)
Robbie Robertson
0 (0%)
Jeff Buckley
0 (0%)
Joni Mitchell
1 (2.6%)
John Pryne
0 (0%)
Richard Thompson
2 (5.3%)

Total Members Voted: 16

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Offline David E.

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Re: Who wrote/writes the best lyrics?
« Reply #15 on: Jan 28, 2012, 03:52:17 PM »
Any love for Frank Zappa?
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Offline drizz

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Re: Who wrote/writes the best lyrics?
« Reply #16 on: Jan 28, 2012, 05:42:49 PM »
I would vote for Robbie Robertson were he on the list  ::)

Otherwise Bob, Neil and Leonard are really the big three, no? I also enjoy Jeff Buckley's lyrics...oh and Joni Mitchell too....
« Last Edit: Jan 28, 2012, 05:45:04 PM by drizz »
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Offline IrishJazz

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Re: Who wrote/writes the best lyrics?
« Reply #17 on: Jan 28, 2012, 06:06:44 PM »
I think Neil Young wrote some great songs, but in his greatest years it was his performance, not his lyrics, that made the difference.  Who covers "Cinnamon Girl" or "Cortez the Killer?"  How could you do "Southern Man" without sounding like a whiny hippy.  Only Neil Young could pull it off, and even he sounded a bit like a whiny hippie.
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Offline Hittman

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Re: Who wrote/writes the best lyrics?
« Reply #18 on: Jan 28, 2012, 10:19:08 PM »
Glad to see Zevon on the list, but I'd put John Pryne and Richard Thompson on there too. 

Zappa's lyrics weren't bad (well, some of them are) but his guitar work was amazing. 
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Offline craig

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Re: Who wrote/writes the best lyrics?
« Reply #19 on: Jan 30, 2012, 06:51:11 AM »
I would nominate Townes Van Zandt and Willie Nelson.
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Offline AQB24712

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Re: Who wrote/writes the best lyrics?
« Reply #20 on: Jan 30, 2012, 09:21:55 AM »
I would second those nominations.
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Offline gcason

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Re: Who wrote/writes the best lyrics?
« Reply #21 on: Jan 30, 2012, 09:26:54 AM »
Steely Dan is near the top of my personal list.
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Offline DonA1979

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Re: Who wrote/writes the best lyrics?
« Reply #22 on: Jan 30, 2012, 09:44:36 AM »
Oh man. My top 3 are on the list above (Keenan, Young, and Waits). There are so many great lyricists out there.

Jackson Browne
JJ Cale
Greg Graffin
Bruce Cockburn
Cat Stevens
Eddie Vedder

The more I think about it the more I can add. 




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Offline Johnny Slick

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Re: Who wrote/writes the best lyrics?
« Reply #23 on: Jan 30, 2012, 10:49:36 AM »
Not on the list, but the correct answer is Stephen Page and Ed Robertson. Libs, all of you!
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Offline Green Ideas

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Re: Who wrote/writes the best lyrics?
« Reply #24 on: Jan 30, 2012, 11:45:30 AM »
Little surprised no one mentioned Lou Reed yet.
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Offline David E.

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Re: Who wrote/writes the best lyrics?
« Reply #25 on: Jan 30, 2012, 04:21:21 PM »
THis list is going to be as long as all our personal tastes soon. 
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