Who is your Favorite Lyricist?

[dgple]

There's all these threads about favorite drummer/guitarist/bassist, but not as many as for lyricist. A lot of times, lyrics can make or break a song. So, I ask you: Who, in your opinion, do you think is the best lyric writer of all time?

This is not a topic about singers, just about the lyrics they might write.

[Sovalkov]

As much as everyone hates his guts for "selling out", I believe that Tom Gabel from Against Me! has some pretty interesting things to tell. Of course Bob Dylan is considered god when it comes to this department, but only if you have the written lyrics on hand.

[Rooster]

This question would probably need a little research, since a lot of bands now a day don't actually write their own lyrics.
Unless you were to say an older band or singer.

[NeverHundred]

I like he lyrics from TISM songs. It's some fairly interesting stuff...

[wtfyourface]

Believe I'm going to have to go with the late Elliott Smith.

[NeverHundred]

Wait... I just remembered, I'm my favorite lyricist!

[Tancrisism]

Probably Bob Dylan and Robert Hunter.

[theshadowwolf]

Marilyn Manson, Dead (From Mayhem), Jello Biafra... uh.... John Lydon.... Shagrath.... I'm missing a shitload of people.... fuck man....

[MemoryCard]

Tom waits, swans and immortal technique are my picks.

All of them dark in their own special way.

[WritersBlock]

Glenn Richards

Y'all aint got nothin on Glenn Richards. His music is so poetic, some of it's like listening to a sweet intricate lullaby, others are just absolutely stunning. My favourite of his would probably have to be "This Train Will Be Taking No Passengers". The man's a fucking genious.

[Zack]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O45dGPUiE Rg

probably them or Have Heart

[Phasmorphage]

Trent Reznor

[TheFaces]

At 5/4/09 02:04 AM, Tancrisism wrote: Probably Bob Dylan and Robert Hunter.

These two, Roger Waters, and MAYBE David Gilmour...

[o0-0o]

The big ones have been mentioned so I'll go with someone less known. Anthony Raneri from Bayside.

[Tribal]

Probably Voltaire.

[gregaaron89]

I don't listen to lyrics that much. I don't consider them to be the focal point of a song. Don't get me wrong when they're great it's awesome, and I love really great meaningful lyrics, they can really add to a song... but lyrics are usually the last thing I judge in a song, unless they're horrible, just plain stupid, or offend me in some way. To me originality, musicality, instrumentation, catchyness, rhythm, melody, flow, the singer's voice, and finally mixdown and mastering are more important. It really bugs me when people bash good music because it has simple lyrics.

Just my 2 cents. I really can't answer your question.

[NeverHundred]

At 5/4/09 02:41 AM, Tribalfusion-X wrote: Probably Voltaire.

Yes, no one can beat Voltaire. No one.

I'm kind of surprised no one has said Kurt Cobain, he was kind of a big deal for a while. And than there's Tom Waits, he had a few good songs.

[MemoryCard]

At 5/4/09 02:44 AM, NeverHundred wrote:

At 5/4/09 02:41 AM, Tribalfusion-X wrote: Probably Voltaire.

Yes, no one can beat Voltaire. No one.

I'm kind of surprised no one has said Kurt Cobain, he was kind of a big deal for a while. And than there's Tom Waits, he had a few good songs.

I don't know about Voltaire, it's funny but I don't think its so great otherwise. And Tom Waits is floping amazing.

[sehnsucht1]

Eddie Vedder

[NeverHundred]

At 5/4/09 02:49 AM, sehnsucht1 wrote: Eddie Vedder

Yeah, he's definately up there. damn it there are so many good lyricists out there. It's so difficult to pick just one.

[RedStripedd]

Lou Reed

Put jelly on your shoulder
Let us do what you fear most
That from wich you recoil
but which still makes your eyes moist

Put jelly on your shoulder baby
lie down upon on the carpet
between thought and expression
let us now kiss the culprit

[Kalibur]

ElliottSmithElliottSmithElliottSmith

Honestly, I've loved this man from the first time I listened to him.

[positively-negative]

Gotta be Mr. Leonard Cohen.

[TheTrooper5]

Roger Waters-Pink Floyd
Morissey-The Smiths/Solo
Elvis Costello, such a wonderful cynicism.

At the moment it's Fish, ex singer of the progressive band Marillion

Light switch, yellow fever, crawling up your bathroom wall Singing psychedelic praises to the depths of a china bowl You've got venom in your stomach, you've got poison in your head You should have listened to the priest at the confession When he offered you the sacred bread

[FIGMENTUM]

Keith Buckley.

[The-Condor]

Doe Maar

I might not know what their saying but it sounds like Bob marly so OK.

[HungarianSupermarket]

Chino Moreno of Deftones and Team Sleep.

I really wish these snakes were your arms.

[Sensationalism]

I have to go with Davey Havok.

And then Ryan Ross.

Hey, be glad I didn't go with Pete Wentz :P