Great Lyricists of contemporary music

Sounds so nerdy, but are there any songwriters today that you just think are brilliant???

Adam Duritz - Counting Crows
Billy Joel
Dave Matthews

and my all time favorite, who I think is just a genius!

PRINCE

ahhh...eta: Tori Amos!

how contemporary are we talking? I always thought Paul Simon had quite a way with words.

Also, Michael Stipe of REM

Lyle Lovett tells the best stories in his songs.

Bob Schneider's lyrics are fantastic.

Stephen Malkmus (ex Pavement guy) has a way with words - the lyrics don't always make sense, but his wordplay is totally unique and brilliant. Beck is kind of in the same category, as are Thom Yorke and Rivers Cuomo of Weezer.

Farah, so this is what it sounds like when doves cry?

I concur on Prince and Adam Duritz (but boy needs a shower).

Isaac Brock from Modest Mouse ('I fell in love and I needed a road map...')

Jill Cunniff from Luscious Jackson

Tanya Donelly from Belly

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Posted by TwoBugs

Lyle Lovett tells the best stories in his songs.

Bob Schneider's lyrics are fantastic.

Stephen Malkmus (ex Pavement guy) has a way with words - the lyrics don't always make sense, but his wordplay is totally unique and brilliant. Beck is kind of in the same category, as are Thom Yorke and Rivers Cuomo of Weezer.

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ooh, yes, Beck! I totally agree.

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Posted by MonkeyLuv

Isaac Brock from Modest Mouse ('I fell in love and I needed a road map...')

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Ah, thank you! I couldn't remember his name.

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Posted by MonkeyLuv

Farah, so this is what it sounds like when doves cry?

I concur on Prince and Adam Duritz (but boy needs a shower).

Isaac Brock from Modest Mouse ('I fell in love and I needed a road map...')

Jill Cunniff from Luscious Jackson

Tanya Donelly from Belly

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You know, lots of people don't realize that Prince writes a ton of stuff for other artists - like Nothing Compares 2 U as sung by that angsty Irish no one who has sunk into oblivion following her attack on the Pope

PS: This all came about because I dug up a Counting Crows cd last night

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Posted by MonkeyLuv

I almost forgot Tom Waits and Liz Phair!

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ooh I was thinking Liz Phair , but OLD Liz Phair.
Divorce Song Liz Phair. . .

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Posted by usuk2004



You know, lots of people don't realize that Prince writes a ton of stuff for other artists - like Nothing Compares 2 U as sung by that angsty Irish no one who has sunk into oblivion following her attack on the Pope

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That was an amazing song! I know he has done others ( for other peopel), but that is the only one I can think of.

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Posted by tourist


ooh I was thinking Liz Phair , but OLD Liz Phair.
Divorce Song Liz Phair. . .

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Word!! (of course I now have the most awesome Liz Phair song stuck in my head... 'f*** & run') But I gotta say, the lyrics on Whitechocolatespaceegg are really good!

Farah... oooh I knew that about Sinead! Prince's version is really good, very different and better in a lot of ways, IMO.

Billy Joel

Sara McLachlin

Tori Amos

Melissa Etheridge

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Posted by MonkeyLuv

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Posted by tourist


ooh I was thinking Liz Phair , but OLD Liz Phair.
Divorce Song Liz Phair. . .

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Word!! (of course I now have the most awesome Liz Phair song stuck in my head... 'f*** & run') But I gotta say, the lyrics on Whitechocolatespaceegg are really good!

Farah... oooh I knew that about Sinead! Prince's version is really good, very different and better in a lot of ways, IMO.

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DId you know he wrote Manic Monday for the Bangles???

And a bunch of stuff for Sheena Easton and even Kenny Rogers!

Jewel
Adam Duritz
Alexi Murdoch

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Posted by usuk2004


DId you know he wrote Manic Monday for the Bangles???

And a bunch of stuff for Sheena Easton and even Kenny Rogers!

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Shut up!! He wrote 'Manic Monday'? No wonder I loved that song when I was a kid!

I knew about the Sheena Easton connection, but not Kenny Rogers!

I think that's just further testament to his songwriting skills... if you can write a song and musicians from very different genres want a piece of the action.

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Posted by MonkeyLuv


Isaac Brock from Modest Mouse ('I fell in love and I needed a road map...')

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YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Adam Duritz - Counting Crows

Tori Amos!

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i agree. also fiona apple and john mayer -
your body is a wonderland- what a great song

I have to say, an inspiration to us all, is the artist formerly known as...Vanilla Ice.

lol....


In all seriousness..

I think Elton John (who's songs were written by Bernie Taupin) is great...love the lyrics to almost all his songs!! Him and my main man billy joel..