Favourite songwriters, composers

Roli · August 23rd, 2006, 07:52 PM

This is when the song matters.

I love catchy tunes and distinct melodies, so they are (some of) my favourites (in no particular order):

- Paul McCartney
- John Lennon - The Beatles, nuff said

- Neil Finn - when I first heard "Weather With You" in the '90s, I said "hey, good songwriting ain't dead yet!"

- Roger Hodgson - this man is a genius

- Mark Knopfler - not only an exceptional player but an amazing songwriter, too

- Pat Metheny - unusual, complex, melodic compositions - yet I find myself whistling them!

- George Gershwin - classical+popular+jazz - his songs will never ever fade away

- Tom Petty - simply great

- Paul Simon - another genius

Your turn.

Maestro · August 23rd, 2006, 09:30 PM

Paul simon

Eric clapton (some of his lyrics are very good)

Jeff black

George harrison

Huub van der lubbe (shame he only does dutch songs)

I''ll agree with you on knopfler.

Let's not forget Jack Bruce and that poet (what was his name) he wrote with.

zombywoof · August 23rd, 2006, 10:00 PM

Well, these are the ones I listen to the most:

Woody Guthrie

Steve Earle

Lucinda Williams

Dave Alvin

Blind Willie McTell

Willie Dixon

Warren Zevon

Richard Thompson

Bob Dylan

popthree · August 23rd, 2006, 11:11 PM

elvis C.

CountryShawn · August 23rd, 2006, 11:14 PM

Billy Joel - "She's Always A Woman To Me"

That song has always blown me away in the marriage of melody and emotive lyrics.

Shawn

sultan59 · August 23rd, 2006, 11:16 PM

Mark Knopfler

furrfurrfurr · August 23rd, 2006, 11:17 PM

Lots of the above for sure. But let's not forget Pete Townsend and Ray Davies.

Heather Anne Peel · August 23rd, 2006, 11:17 PM

1. Mick Jagger/Keith Richards
2. John Lennon/Paul McCartney
3. Bruce Springsteen
4. Robert Johnson
5. John Mellencamp
6. Chuck Berry
7. Jimmy Page/Robert Plant
8. Johnny Cash
9. Bob Dylan
10. Neil Young

No specific order, but Jagger/Richards are my fave.
Heather

maestrovert · August 23rd, 2006, 11:40 PM

in no specific order
Songwriters:

David Mullen
Michael Card
Steve Earle
Frank Marino
Jimi Hendrix
Lennon/McCartney
John Fogerty
Brian Wilson
Pete Townsend

Composers:

Harry Partch
Frank Zappa
Mozart
Bach
Dvorak
DeBussey
Paganini
Chopin
Handel
Stravinsky

OutlawSteph1975 · August 23rd, 2006, 11:41 PM

Brian Wilson - very sweet pop music
Gordon Lightfoot - one of my favorite folkies
Bob Dylan - 'nuff said!
Stephen Stills - unconventional and brilliant
Neil Young - folk ideals and rock passion
Henry Paul - brilliant mix of folk and country with southern rock
Chris Hillman - founding father of country rock, decades of great songs
Gene Clark - incredible lyrics considering little education
Ronnie Van Zant - working class, southern perspective
Jay Farrar - only young guy on my list!
Paul, George and John - duh!

vic108 · August 23rd, 2006, 11:41 PM

John Prine
Warren Zevon
Bob Dylan
Bill Mallonee (V.O.L)
Beatles
Bruce Cockburn
Hoyt Axton
Archie Fisher
Stan Rogers (Thanks Eric for the reminder!)
John Kay (Steppenwolf)
Blind Willie Johnson
Randy Newman
Pete Townshend
Brian Eno
Adrian Belew
Mac Gayden
Frank Zappa

Arcangelo Correlli
Bach

tele1 · August 23rd, 2006, 11:44 PM

John Prine
Bob Dylan
Todd Snider
Shel Silverstein
John Lennon
Steve Earle
Neil Young
Hank Williams Sr.
Hank Williams Jr.
Harlan Howard

Colo Springs E · August 24th, 2006, 12:07 AM

....Elton John and Bernie Taupin, man did they ever put out some catchy songs for about a 5-8 year period there. Of course, the tunes were all Elton, Bernie just wrote the words.

I read once where Elton would spend no more than 5-10 minutes on a melody once Bernie had given him the words. If he didn't "feel it," he tossed it and moved on to the next one.

Colo Springs E · August 24th, 2006, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OutlawSteph1975

Ronnie Van Zant - working class, southern perspective

....at least in an interview with Ed King I think it was, Ronnie never wrote down lyrics, always just sang them and often times made them up as they went along on a first or second take.

genelovesjez · August 24th, 2006, 12:29 AM

There are so many great songwriters, but don't forget David Bowie - there are very few bands and/or artists who can lay claim to a decade of music as strong as the one he had from 1970 to 1980, IMHO:

1970 The Man Who Sold the World
1971 Hunky Dory
1972 Ziggy Stardust
1973 Aladdin Sane
1973 Pin Ups
1974 Diamond Dogs
1975 Young Americans
1976 Station to Station
1977 Low
1977 Heroes
1979 Lodger
1980 Scary Monsters

Okay, Pin Ups was a cover album, but still!

Heather Anne Peel · August 24th, 2006, 12:31 AM

Bowie is awesome, agreed!
Heather

RollingThunder75 · August 24th, 2006, 12:52 AM

1. Bob Dylan
2. Tom Petty
3-5 (tie). Neil Young, Warren Zevon, David Bowie

the rest:

Lou Reed, Elvis Costello, Van Morrison, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Robbie Robertson, Pete Townshend, Mick & Keef, Beatles, Jimmy Buffett, Brian Eno

guitar mike · August 24th, 2006, 01:09 AM

Bob Dylan
Steve Earle
John Hiatt
John Prine
Johnny Cash

Soupbone · August 24th, 2006, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Favourite songwriters, composers

Steve Earle
Townes
Richard Thompson
Nick Drake
David Allan Coe
Ralph Stanley
Guy Clark
Rodney Crowell
Jerry Jeff Walker
Hank Williams

RomanS · August 24th, 2006, 06:31 AM

Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Townes Van Zandt, Neil Young, Loudon Wainwright III, Jonathan Richman, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Alvin and Steve Earle would be on my short list.

gottabeash · August 24th, 2006, 09:05 AM

these list are most impressive. im surprised that anyone even knows who bill mallonee is. and im glad to see steve earle get big ups.

mccartney, lennon (the bugs, or something)
jagger, richards (the rolling something or others)
pete townshend (the what, i think)
brian wilson (the beach dudes, wasnt it?)
hank williams
johnny cash
lucinda williams
bruce springsteen
ben gibbard (death cab for cutie, postal service)
neko case
patty griffin
chilton, bell (big star)
love, blake (teenage fanclub)
elliott smith
neil young
kurt cobain (nirvana)
berry, buck, mills, stipe (rem)

what a great topic!

thanks,

s.

Eric Karonen · August 24th, 2006, 09:34 AM

I'll add some names that I admire:

Holland Dozier Holland
John Sebastian
Leonard Cohen
Gordon Lightfoot
Willie Dixon
David Olney
Stan Rogers
and the list could go on forever...

endzone · August 24th, 2006, 09:48 AM

I'll add these two heavy weights

Jimmy Webb
Dan Fogelberg

resotele · August 24th, 2006, 10:37 AM

must complete every list of great sonwriters.

Resotele

Reno Sepulveda · August 24th, 2006, 10:50 AM

All the usual suspects
Chuck Prophet Tom Petty on mescaline
Fred Eaglesmith

Heather Anne Peel · August 24th, 2006, 10:51 AM

I have to mention Lou Reed.
Heather

August 23rd, 2006, 07:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Roli Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: ¤ Hungary ¤ Age: 30 Posts: 1,573 5 Photos	Favourite songwriters, composers This is when the song matters. I love catchy tunes and distinct melodies, so they are (some of) my favourites (in no particular order): - Paul McCartney - John Lennon - The Beatles, nuff said - Neil Finn - when I first heard "Weather With You" in the '90s, I said "hey, good songwriting ain't dead yet!" - Roger Hodgson - this man is a genius - Mark Knopfler - not only an exceptional player but an amazing songwriter, too - Pat Metheny - unusual, complex, melodic compositions - yet I find myself whistling them! - George Gershwin - classical+popular+jazz - his songs will never ever fade away - Tom Petty - simply great - Paul Simon - another genius Your turn. __________________ How I Play Fingerstyle Guitar - blog for rookies and not so rookies - with videos now!

August 23rd, 2006, 09:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Maestro Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The United Lowlands Of Holland Posts: 755	Paul simon Eric clapton (some of his lyrics are very good) Jeff black George harrison Huub van der lubbe (shame he only does dutch songs) I''ll agree with you on knopfler. Let's not forget Jack Bruce and that poet (what was his name) he wrote with. __________________ A clean conscience is usually the result of a bad memory.

August 23rd, 2006, 10:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
zombywoof Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Back in the Heartland Posts: 2,903 17 Photos	Well, these are the ones I listen to the most: Woody Guthrie Steve Earle Lucinda Williams Dave Alvin Blind Willie McTell Willie Dixon Warren Zevon Richard Thompson Bob Dylan __________________ "I don't play a lot of fancy guitar. I don't want to play it. The kind of guitar I want to play is mean, mean licks." John Lee Hooker

August 23rd, 2006, 11:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
popthree Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tulsa Age: 43 Posts: 2,836 47 Photos	elvis C. __________________ don't taze me bro !

August 23rd, 2006, 11:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
CountryShawn Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Age: 37 Posts: 621	Billy Joel - "She's Always A Woman To Me" That song has always blown me away in the marriage of melody and emotive lyrics. Shawn __________________ --------

August 23rd, 2006, 11:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
sultan59 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Whidbey Island Age: 49 Posts: 410	Mark Knopfler

August 23rd, 2006, 11:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
furrfurrfurr Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South of Heaven Posts: 2,495	Lots of the above for sure. But let's not forget Pete Townsend and Ray Davies.

August 23rd, 2006, 11:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
Heather Anne Peel Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Nowhere Age: 45 Posts: 3,000 3 Photos	1. Mick Jagger/Keith Richards 2. John Lennon/Paul McCartney 3. Bruce Springsteen 4. Robert Johnson 5. John Mellencamp 6. Chuck Berry 7. Jimmy Page/Robert Plant 8. Johnny Cash 9. Bob Dylan 10. Neil Young No specific order, but Jagger/Richards are my fave. Heather

August 23rd, 2006, 11:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
maestrovert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Branch Mi. Posts: 6,537	in no specific order Songwriters: David Mullen Michael Card Steve Earle Frank Marino Jimi Hendrix Lennon/McCartney John Fogerty Brian Wilson Pete Townsend Composers: Harry Partch Frank Zappa Mozart Bach Dvorak DeBussey Paganini Chopin Handel Stravinsky __________________ Sing the Song Bro' Play on Drummer www.godonthe.net

August 23rd, 2006, 11:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
OutlawSteph1975 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,856 7 Photos	Brian Wilson - very sweet pop music Gordon Lightfoot - one of my favorite folkies Bob Dylan - 'nuff said! Stephen Stills - unconventional and brilliant Neil Young - folk ideals and rock passion Henry Paul - brilliant mix of folk and country with southern rock Chris Hillman - founding father of country rock, decades of great songs Gene Clark - incredible lyrics considering little education Ronnie Van Zant - working class, southern perspective Jay Farrar - only young guy on my list! Paul, George and John - duh!

August 23rd, 2006, 11:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
vic108 Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mudwogweap, VA Age: 52 Posts: 947 9 Photos	John Prine Warren Zevon Bob Dylan Bill Mallonee (V.O.L) Beatles Bruce Cockburn Hoyt Axton Archie Fisher Stan Rogers (Thanks Eric for the reminder!) John Kay (Steppenwolf) Blind Willie Johnson Randy Newman Pete Townshend Brian Eno Adrian Belew Mac Gayden Frank Zappa Arcangelo Correlli Bach __________________ Guitars will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no guitars Last edited by vic108; August 24th, 2006 at 11:02 AM.

August 23rd, 2006, 11:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
tele1 Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Central Ohio Age: 54 Posts: 318	Some of My favorites are John Prine Bob Dylan Todd Snider Shel Silverstein John Lennon Steve Earle Neil Young Hank Williams Sr. Hank Williams Jr. Harlan Howard

August 24th, 2006, 12:07 AM	#13 (permalink)
Colo Springs E Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 5,203 5 Photos	I'll throw in.. ....Elton John and Bernie Taupin, man did they ever put out some catchy songs for about a 5-8 year period there. Of course, the tunes were all Elton, Bernie just wrote the words. I read once where Elton would spend no more than 5-10 minutes on a melody once Bernie had given him the words. If he didn't "feel it," he tossed it and moved on to the next one. __________________ Think I'll pack it in and Buy a pickup Take it down to LA...

August 24th, 2006, 12:29 AM	#15 (permalink)
genelovesjez Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Age: 41 Posts: 3,735	There are so many great songwriters, but don't forget David Bowie - there are very few bands and/or artists who can lay claim to a decade of music as strong as the one he had from 1970 to 1980, IMHO: 1970 The Man Who Sold the World 1971 Hunky Dory 1972 Ziggy Stardust 1973 Aladdin Sane 1973 Pin Ups 1974 Diamond Dogs 1975 Young Americans 1976 Station to Station 1977 Low 1977 Heroes 1979 Lodger 1980 Scary Monsters Okay, Pin Ups was a cover album, but still!

August 24th, 2006, 12:31 AM	#16 (permalink)
Heather Anne Peel Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Nowhere Age: 45 Posts: 3,000 3 Photos	Bowie is awesome, agreed! Heather

August 24th, 2006, 12:52 AM	#17 (permalink)
RollingThunder75 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: WV Posts: 398	My Favourites 1. Bob Dylan 2. Tom Petty 3-5 (tie). Neil Young, Warren Zevon, David Bowie the rest: Lou Reed, Elvis Costello, Van Morrison, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Robbie Robertson, Pete Townshend, Mick & Keef, Beatles, Jimmy Buffett, Brian Eno __________________ Live every week like it's Shark Week.

August 24th, 2006, 01:09 AM	#18 (permalink)
guitar mike Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Akron, OH Age: 38 Posts: 297	Bob Dylan Steve Earle John Hiatt John Prine Johnny Cash __________________ I do whatever my guitar tells me to.

August 24th, 2006, 06:31 AM	#20 (permalink)
RomanS Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vienna, Austria Age: 37 Posts: 2,884 14 Photos	Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Townes Van Zandt, Neil Young, Loudon Wainwright III, Jonathan Richman, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Alvin and Steve Earle would be on my short list.

August 24th, 2006, 09:05 AM	#21 (permalink)
gottabeash Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: greenville, sc Age: 31 Posts: 166 5 Photos	these list are most impressive. im surprised that anyone even knows who bill mallonee is. and im glad to see steve earle get big ups. mccartney, lennon (the bugs, or something) jagger, richards (the rolling something or others) pete townshend (the what, i think) brian wilson (the beach dudes, wasnt it?) hank williams johnny cash lucinda williams bruce springsteen ben gibbard (death cab for cutie, postal service) neko case patty griffin chilton, bell (big star) love, blake (teenage fanclub) elliott smith neil young kurt cobain (nirvana) berry, buck, mills, stipe (rem) what a great topic! thanks, s.

August 24th, 2006, 09:34 AM	#22 (permalink)
Eric Karonen Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Age: 56 Posts: 1,359	I'll add some names that I admire: Holland Dozier Holland John Sebastian Leonard Cohen Gordon Lightfoot Willie Dixon David Olney Stan Rogers and the list could go on forever... __________________ Sounds the tough horn, and twangs the quivering string. --Pope (1688-1744)

August 24th, 2006, 09:48 AM	#23 (permalink)
endzone Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Louisiana Age: 52 Posts: 1,643 40 Photos	I'll add these two heavy weights Jimmy Webb Dan Fogelberg __________________ *I'm Makin Progress*

August 24th, 2006, 10:37 AM	#24 (permalink)
resotele TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bern Switzerland Posts: 59 5 Photos	Graham Parker and John Hiatt must complete every list of great sonwriters. Resotele __________________ I miss Timbo

August 24th, 2006, 10:50 AM	#25 (permalink)
Reno Sepulveda Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Nowhere man Posts: 1,357	All the usual suspects Chuck Prophet Tom Petty on mescaline Fred Eaglesmith __________________ "I'm just kidding about that really."

August 24th, 2006, 10:51 AM	#26 (permalink)
Heather Anne Peel Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Nowhere Age: 45 Posts: 3,000 3 Photos	I have to mention Lou Reed. Heather