February 1, 20196 yr In the "modern era" (so no Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Scott Joplin, et al). Bob Dylan is probably at the pinnacle, so let's just get that out of the way. Next? I like Jackson Browne. Late for the Sky is, well, transcendent. The Pretender isn't too bad, either. But Late for the Sky? The Best. Neil Diamond. I wish I had a Hall 0' Neil in my house. He is a good Brooklyn jew. I love that guy. Tom Petty is also up there. A friend of mine says James Taylor. I say yeah, he's good, but he's no Jackson Browne.
February 1, 20196 yr good list. https://www.laweekly.com/music/top-20-singer-songwriters-of-all-time-4632680
February 1, 20196 yr Author 1 minute ago, crash_davis said: good list. https://www.laweekly.com/music/top-20-singer-songwriters-of-all-time-4632680 Nice, but Leonard Cohen isn't US of A American. Nor is Gordon Lightfoot. That's a great list, but no way, imo, is Springsteen higher than Jackson Browne. No way, eh?
February 1, 20196 yr Off the top of my head, in addition to Dylan, Springsteen and Browne: Guy Clark Jimmy Webb Brian Wilson
February 1, 20196 yr First three that come to mind, other than Dylan... Townes Van Zandt Guy Clark Paul Simon
February 1, 20196 yr Author 17 minutes ago, HouTex said: Off the top of my head, in addition to Dylan, Springsteen and Browne: Guy Clark Jimmy Webb Brian Wilson Brian Wilson. Good one.
February 1, 20196 yr Author 3 minutes ago, Upgrayedd said: Carole King Yeah, good one. That reminds me. Patti Smith is way overrated.
February 1, 20196 yr 1 hour ago, Asithappens said: Next? I like Jackson Browne. Late for the Sky is, well, transcendent. The Pretender isn't too bad, either. But Late for the Sky? The Best. He wrote These Days when he was 16*. Edited February 1, 20196 yr by ztejas
February 1, 20196 yr Jeff Tweedy Just looked at the LA Weekly list, Prince is another good one. And I'm just tossing names out there. Obviously the answer is Dylan. Edited February 1, 20196 yr by ztejas
February 1, 20196 yr Are we talking all around great lyrics and great music? Or just really good songs not really caring about lyrical content?
February 1, 20196 yr Jason Isbell deserves a mention. Still needs a couple more albums to make his way up the list.
February 1, 20196 yr Most likely Top 3 for me: Tom Petty Jackson Browne Billy Joel Ryan Adams wouldn’t be too far behind them.
February 1, 20196 yr 49 minutes ago, Rip76 said: Are we talking all around great lyrics and great music? Or just really good songs not really caring about lyrical content? Technically (except in the loosest of definitions) it's not a song without the words . . . I think that kinda puts some emphasis on the lyrics.
February 2, 20196 yr 1 hour ago, jimmyjazz said: Technically (except in the loosest of definitions) it's not a song without the words . . . I think that kinda puts some emphasis on the lyrics. Yeah "songwriting" has always meant more about the lyrics to me.
February 2, 20196 yr 4 hours ago, crash_davis said: https://www.laweekly.com/music/top-20-singer-songwriters-of-all-time-4632680 Elliot Smith? Because he was real real sad, you say, LA Weekly? Get the fuck out of here. I guess lists have to include some dumb shit so people will talk about them. Mission accomplished. Patty Griffin and Elton John merit top-20 consideration.
February 2, 20196 yr Willie Fucking Nelson never did shit...but write some badass songs. Willie Dixon was somewhat influential( rolleyes)
February 2, 20196 yr Without overlapping those listed: You could add Robert Johnson for being about 4-5 decades ahead of the game. Charlie and Bruce Robison are both hellacious songwriters.
February 2, 20196 yr Y'all are slacking. Paul Westerberg can spin a lyric & melody better than 90% of those who have been named.
February 2, 20196 yr 1 hour ago, jimmyjazz said: Y'all are slacking. Paul Westerberg can spin a lyric & melody better than 90% of those who have been named. Good one
February 2, 20196 yr Most already listed, but my favorites: Prine Zevon Patty Griffin (though sure of her best recordings aren't things she wrote) Matt Houck (phosphorescent) TVZ Lyle Lovett Matt Berninger Tweedy Gram Parsons Alejandro Escoveda
February 2, 20196 yr Y'all are gonna be shocked when I say Bruce, right? [emoji38] Most of the bigs have all been mentioned in some fashion. Carole King's genius needs to recognized again & again. Guy Clark, Steve Earle & James McMurtry definitely deserve to be in the 'others receiving votes' list.
February 2, 20196 yr Dammit, how did I forget McMurtry?! And at the base of the barstool, there's a drain in the floor, You better not go in there, if you don't know what that's for....
February 2, 20196 yr Here's a good question: where does rap/hip-hop fall? Can I list Eminem and Kendrick Lamar as great American "songwriters"?
February 2, 20196 yr These should be on any list of great American songwriters: Dolly Parton Smokey Robinson Johnny Cash Roger Miller Buddy Holly Woodie Guthrie Chrissie Hynde John Fogerty Aimee Mann Randy Newman
February 3, 20196 yr 12 hours ago, Bojack said: Stevie Wonder. I think Josh Ritter is one of the great American songwriters. He's great. My favorite
February 3, 20196 yr 7 minutes ago, Neonmoon said: I agree on Jackson Browne I nominate Jeff Tweedy Ya miss my comment there, guy?
February 3, 20196 yr Mike Cooley hasn't been mentioned yet. Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, and Evan Felker are all brilliant but haven't been around long enough for inclusion perhaps.
February 3, 20196 yr On 2/1/2019 at 9:01 PM, Paul Wesley said: Elliot Smith? Because he was real real sad, you say, LA Weekly? Get the fuck out of here. I guess lists have to include some dumb shit so people will talk about them. Mission accomplished. Patty Griffin and Elton John merit top-20 consideration. Bernie Taupin says get the fuck out of here.
February 3, 20196 yr 31 minutes ago, baboso said: Bernie Taupin says get the fuck out of here. Is Bernie American ?
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