[mturro: in plain sight] - Latest Comments in The Best Songwriters Of All Time

Re: The Best Songwriters Of All Time

jake — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 19:25:32 -0000

I don't like the way the list is confined to living songwriters. Some of the greatest names in music - John Lennon, Elliott Smith, and Kurt Cobain for instance - are not given their due because of such a silly technicality. The fact that they have passed on does not devalue their music. Also i think the inclusion of sufjan stevens is bullshit - the man has been making records for a very short time and has in no way proved himself to be an amazing songwriter. There are standout songs on his new album - John Wayne Gacy, Jr. and Casimir Pulaski Day - but a remarkable degree of it is filler.

Re: The Best Songwriters Of All Time

U2 should like Moz — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 05:40:48 -0000

Possibly the best ever songwriter is Steven Patrick Morrissey. Check his opinion on lyricism in the words of the Smiths song 'Cemetry Gates' ;-)

Still Bono of U2 has done some amazing modern poetry comparable to Keats and Yeats ...and even comparable to (weird lover) Wilde.

"I remember when we could sleep on stones.
And now we lie together in whispers and in moans.

When I was all messed up and I heard opera in my head.
Your love was a light bulb hanging over my bed."

Re: The Best Songwriters Of All Time

etesq — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 16:25:01 -0000

I get your point about the inherent problems with compiling a listing of such artists - objectifying the subjective is oh so tricky. But I don't get why in making the point you include a link to the damned list? I mean you are inviting people to peruse and comment on the list that you decry as "foolish."

Anywho - I did peruse the list, and have 2 comments to make...

1. Flaming Lips made the list - I bet they are the only ones on the list that have played at Sun Tan Lake (where I saw them circa 95?)

2. Stephen Malkmus is 79, while Kris Kristofferson is 38? Come ON PEOPLE...