Ok well I am new here and I thought I would start off by asking a fairly loaded question. Who are your top 3 favourite lyricists of all, and give a quick reason for why.

1. Karl Hyde of Underworld
I know that most people know little of Underworld beyond �Born Slippy� and the �shouting lager lager� lyric. However, Karl writes some truly awe inspiring stream of consciousness lyrics. The best example of this being �Dirty Epic�.

2. Patti Smith
I always enjoy Patti�s hard terse prepunk prose that hid nothing but spoke of a deep rooted political optimism. Plus I love that she plus no punches and used the N word without any trace of malice or hate proved an amazing point with it.

3. Ian Curtis of Joy Division
Ian Curtis is mostly a sentimental favourite for me and �Love Will Tear us Apart� still from time to time makes me cry.

So that�s mine what�s yours�?

Of course, Sarah being on this list is assumed.

In no particular order I�d have to include the following on the list;

[b:da4084a5b5]Tom Waits [/b:da4084a5b5]� imho one of the most brilliant songwriters of our time. His songs evoke such powerful imagery and I recall him once being referred to as the �poet of the crack of dawn�, which captures quite accurately much of what he is.

[b:da4084a5b5]Leonard Cohen[/b:da4084a5b5] � is there anything I could possibly say about this man? If his words, in whatever form they come, don�t make your heart beat a little faster at the same time they break it, I�d contact your cardiologist immediately.

[b:da4084a5b5]k-os[/b:da4084a5b5] � whether you�re a fan of rap/hip-hop or not, you can�t not give props to k-os� wildly inventive mix of styles and brilliant rhymes. Some of the most intelligent and articulate words put to rap ever.

...jim

three that stick out in my mind at the moment:

[b:e67d861a5c]elliott smith[/b:e67d861a5c] - no one else's lyrics can move me like his. they really make me [i:e67d861a5c]feel[/i:e67d861a5c] and overwhelmingly so.

[b:e67d861a5c]jenny lewis[/b:e67d861a5c] (from rilo kiley) - her lyrics are so clever and witty. tongue-in-cheek is a good way to describe them too. her lyrics paint such a vivid picture. other times, they seem light-hearted and innocent on the surface, but when upon further investigation, there are deeper, sometimes morbid meanings.

[b:e67d861a5c]conor oberst[/b:e67d861a5c] (bright eyes) - okay, i guess it's a bit cliche. but i love conor's lyrics. they can be so heart-wrenching and sometimes over the top. but they're never insincere. they're heartfelt and [i:e67d861a5c]alive[/i:e67d861a5c]. sometimes they are so personal, that i feel like i'm reading a private journal. he also can paint a picture and tell a story with his lyrics.

[quote="joleary"]Of course, Sarah being on this list is assumed.

[b:a1e2855e24]k-os[/b:a1e2855e24] � whether you�re a fan of rap/hip-hop or not, you can�t not give props to k-os� wildly inventive mix of styles and brilliant rhymes. Some of the most intelligent and articulate words put to rap ever.
/quote]

I really do love k-os and can't wait to see him at Coachella in May. As for hip hop there are some really gifted mc's out there. Rascalz are personal favourite. I got into hip hop after hearing them mention Kahlil Ghibron in on of their rhymes. Other noteables are Andre 3000(been a fan since ATLiens), Common, Mos Def(plus the boy can act), Talib Kwelli, Del tha funky homosapien and Q-Tip

Sarah Slean (of course)
Bono
Ben Harper
John Petrucci (Dream Theater)
James Labrie (Dream Theater)
Joseph Arthur
Sam Beam (Iron & Wine)
Hawksley Workman

Top 3 only? oi... very difficult.

1.) [b:345ad25899]Sarah Slean[/b:345ad25899] (she weaves lyrics and musical accompaniment like an elaborate tapestry. vertigo, awake soon, and little london night are perfect examples)

2.) [b:345ad25899]Hayden[/b:345ad25899] (he writes these simple little songs. 3 or 4 chords... length ranging from 1 minute to 4 minutes usually. And they say it all without [i:345ad25899]having to [/i:345ad25899]say it all. And I like how they aren't just "sweet little ballads"... they've got edge. The ending to "Starting Over" for example :wink

3.) [b:345ad25899]Simon Wilcox[/b:345ad25899] (her "Mongrel of Love" album was OUTSTANDING when it came to lyrics. With her new "mainstream" album "Smart Function" she focused more on the production of songs rather than lyrics, but you can still get glimpses of her talent as a lyricist.)


Honourable Mention: Hawksley Workman, Veda Hille & Ridley Bent

In no particular order

[b:7d391653b9]Jann Arden[/b:7d391653b9]- Just really down to earth and real. I love listening to her music because it's so literal, so..just like it is. She's a fantastic writer.

[b:7d391653b9]Sarah Slean[/b:7d391653b9]- It's kind of funny how in my list I have very literal lyricists and at the same time a very abstract artistic one. Sarah just has this way of weaving mystery and adventure and intrigue into her songs. If it was only the music it would still be amazing, the lyrics are just amazing icing on the cake.

Tie between [b:7d391653b9] Sarah Harmer[/b:7d391653b9] and [b:7d391653b9]Alanis Morisette[/b:7d391653b9]
Again, very literal lyrics that are really easy to apply to. Sarah's music really makes me feel like I'm listening to her tell stories about her life and Alanis' feels like she's giving me advice.[/b]

[quote:d6a2a4d9ba="joleary"]If his words, in whatever form they come, don�t make your heart beat a little faster at the same time they break it, I�d contact your cardiologist immediately.[/quote:d6a2a4d9ba]

:cry:

that was such a beautiful sentence.

~ng

Leonard Cohen falls into that group of lyricists with Bob Dylan. Brilliant writers who can't carry a tune in a basket. I love them both but it loses something when they sing their own material.

[quote:89a57f37b5="Rowla"]Leonard Cohen falls into that group of lyricists with Bob Dylan. Brilliant writers who can't carry a tune in a basket. I love them both but it loses something when they sing their own material.[/quote:89a57f37b5]

Trying my best to ignore that comment...

My Favorites:
1. Bob Dylan
2. Tom Waits
3. David Francey

hey, but if i was looking for someone to just carry a tune i'd listen to celine dion

1. Slean - she made me appreciate lyrics in a completely different way and has spoiled me and now I can't enjoy anything else (well almost)

2. Fiona Apple

3. Hawksley Workman

Wow, I clearly wasn't paying attention yesterday as I did NOT just pick 3... well I'll narrow down to 3:

Sarah
Ben Harper
Bono

that's super tough.....
probably John Lennon, George Harrison, and a 50-way tie for third (Sarah, Ben Gibbard and Ian Mackaye being some of the better thirds).

edit: i gotta mention Jeff Buckley just for "Lover, You Should Have Come Over".....if there's any song i wish that i could have written......

[quote:bcbd6e2bd3="nikolita"] :cry:

that was such a beautiful sentence.

~ng[/quote:bcbd6e2bd3]


awwww, thanks nik.... ops:

...jim

My 3, besides Sarah, are:
Chris Martin
Sarah McLachlan
Noel Gallagher