soggybomb Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 The antithesis to All-time worst lyricist (wanted to be positive ) My vote is for John Lennon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danzilla Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Too many great ones out there to say just one is the all-time best. Jon Anderson (when he's not singing about South American bird-gods), Pete Townsend, Neal Morse, Todd Agnew, Aaron Tate, Rich Mullins, Dan Haseltine, Randall Goodgame, Andrew Peterson... just a start. Jeff Beck is so lyrical, he doesn't even need to use words! "Am I enough of a freak to be worth paying to see?"- Separated Out (Marillion) NEW band Old band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A String Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Bob Dylan. Craig Stringnetwork on Facebook String Network Forum My Music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rampdog Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 This guy ain't too shabby...well...maybe he's shabby but he has a way with words...http://www.tomwaitslibrary.com/ If it ain't fun...why do it...? http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=778394&content=music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big G Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 yes a way with words is what Dylan has, he aint got much ability for harmonica playing and his guitar work is poor to say the least (still was ok live when i last saw him, his band were so tight, they had to be !!!), but so many good ones, my personal favs are Kevin Mcdermott & Paul Weller but cant disregard Lennon and McCartney they have written some special lyrics in their time.G G Love life, some twists and turns are more painful than others, but love life..... http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=592101 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Yeti Bigfoot, Esq. Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Ray Stevens. "And so I definitely, when I have a daughter, I have a lot of good advice for her." ~Paris Hilton BWAAAHAAAHAAHAAA!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goalie Blues Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Robert Plant is a definite candidate. What about Barry Manilow?.........................Just Kidding Ask not what your guitar can do for you, rather ask you can do for your guitar without provoking a divorce or a visit from the police. - with profound apologies to JFK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Ellwood Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Ray Stevens. http://www.thestringnetwork.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroslav Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Maybe not the "all-time best"...but Bernie Taupin comes to mind...Neil Young...Jim Croce...Gordon Lightfoot...Jimmy Webb...Neil Diamond...Harry Chapin....Don McLean....oh my...this could be a loooooooong list! :grin: miroslav - miroslavmusic.com "Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueross Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 What about Barry Manilow? Well he does write the songs that the whole world sings... I'm rather partial to Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows. But I totally agree with miroslav's list. Ross www.deeppocketband.com www.epitunes.com/Artists/Deep-Pocket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbote Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Ray Davies, Difford & Tilbrook, Elvis Costello, Roger Miller...the list goes on and on! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg B. Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 I would agree about Lennon & McCartney. Chris Cornell has had some really good moments also-especially on the "Temple Of The Dog" record. Avoid playing the amplifier at a volume setting high enough to produce a distorted sound through the speaker-Fender Guitar Course-1966 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayViddler Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Bob Dylan. http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=780010&content=music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revolead Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Bob Dylan. While I agree his lyrics are generally very poetic (we actually studied them in creative writing class in college), I am not so sure I ever liked his songs. I always liked everyone's covers of his stuff better. One of my all-time favorite songs, even musically, is the Metallica cover of "Turn the Page" by Bob Seger. I always thought the lyrics were very good: On a long and lonesome highway, east of Omaha You can listen to the engines moanin' Out its one note song You can think about the woman or the girl You knew the night before But your thoughts will soon be wandering The way they always do When you're ridin' sixteen hours And there's nothin' much to do And you don't feel much like riding You just wish the trip was through Chorus: Here I am, On the road again There I am, Up on the stage There I go, Playin' star again There I go, Turn the page So you walk into this restaurant Strung out from the road And you feel the eyes upon you As you're shaking off the cold You pretend it doesn't bother you But you just want to explode Yeah, most times you can't hear 'em talk But other times you can All the same old clichés: "Is it woman? Is it man?" And you always seem outnumbered You don't dare make a stand Make your stand Chorus: Here I am, On the road again There I am, Up on the stage Here I go, Playn' star again There I go, Turn the page Whoa-oh Out there in the spotlight, you're a million miles away Every ounce of energy, you try and give away As the sweat pours out your body, like the music that you play Later in the evenin' as you lie awake in bed With the echoes of the amplifiers ringin' in your head You smoke the day's last cigarette Rememberin' what she said What she said (Yeah, what she said.) Yeah Here I am, on the road again There I am, up on the stage Here I go, playn' star again There I go, turn the page And there I go, turn that page There I go, yeah Here I go, yeah(3x) There I go, there I go (And I'm gone) Shut up and play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Ellwood Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Michigan is proud to claim him! what a great writer! and performer he is!! Thanks for a excellent example!! http://www.thestringnetwork.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg B. Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Neil Young Avoid playing the amplifier at a volume setting high enough to produce a distorted sound through the speaker-Fender Guitar Course-1966 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revolead Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Coheed and Cambria is a very cool modern prog rock band that I believe has single-handedly saved my generation from complete rock deafness. Anyway, sometimes their lyrics are nonsensical or overboard, but this song "Mother Superior" is a beautiful description and story of a young man convinced suicide is the way out. It is an inner dialogue of what he feels and captures the reality of what a man could be feeling in such circumstances. Here, sleep, at the bottom of hell Your time has come to pick the road You'll walk in this tale Turned, as a coward you've learned Through sickness, in health, is only one Now go and bite your tounge You'll just say the worst to me With a hope they'll understand No, they know you're just a boy So grow up and be a man Little baby, kicking, you scream, whine Victims pay the price eventually The cost, let's see your life You've got nothing to prove, stay afraid Young brother, you've got nothing to prove Your answer is in there, just stare down the barrel Your sincerest apologies, wont write you out of this one Tonight, you'll find the right in the pull of the trigger, now bite Oh young fools, don't cry...anymore A fear sleeps, inside your stomach, it swells A torn boy, alone, in need of fix And the pinch that kills the itch For too long, this little baby's cried on For tomorrow, we'll sing the words and song Of a time we're glad is long gone You'll just say the worst to me With a hope they'll understand No, they know you're just a boy So grow up and be a man Little baby, kicking, you scream, whine Victims pay the price eventually The cost, let's see your life You've got nothing to prove, stay afraid Young brother, you've got nothing to prove Your answer is in there, just stare down the barrel Your sincerest apologies, wont write you out of this one Tonight, you'll find the right in the pull of the trigger, now bite Oh young fools, don't cry Mother superior, come catch the rabbit he runs, my how've you been? You frightened of leaving this truly gone fishing amalgam Go fetch your gun Your answer is in there, just stare down the barrel Your sincerest apologies, wont write you out of this one Tonight, you'll find the right in the pull of the trigger, now bite Oh young fools, don't cry Not anymore... Don't cry, boy, not anymore Don't cry, boy, not anymore Don't cry, boy. When your sick to the stomach, just pull out the knife. Don't cry boy, not anymore Don't cry boy, not anymore Don't cry,boy. When your sick to the stomach, just pull out the knife. Anyway, I encourage all of you to check out this band. They remind me of a cross between Led Zeppelin and Dream Theater, and if you share my concern for the lack of musical talent in this decade, these guys will give you hope. Shut up and play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otherstar Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 I second Tom Waits, add John Prine, Kris Kristofferson (Me and Bobby McGee), Robert Hunter, Robert Earl Keen, Steve Earle, John Fogarty, etc. Turn me over, I'm done on this side... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big G Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Ray Davies, Difford & Tilbrook, Elvis Costello, Roger Miller...the list goes on and on! Ray Davies great shout..... G Love life, some twists and turns are more painful than others, but love life..... http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=592101 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg B. Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Bruce Springsteen Avoid playing the amplifier at a volume setting high enough to produce a distorted sound through the speaker-Fender Guitar Course-1966 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kramer Ferrington III. Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Yeah, I'd definitely agree about Ray Davies. Not too sure about Dylan though. I mean, his most famous songs tend to be flow of consciousness stuff, which sounds great but it doesn't LEAVE you with much, does it? Something like "The man in the coon-skin cap In the big pen Wants eleven dollar bills You only got ten" is clever, and memorable... but that sort of situation doesn't really come up very much in my daily life. On the other hand, his "story" songs such as "Tangled Up In Blue" or "Isis" (weak story finish and all) *do* keep you hanging on to hear what happened next. Dylan's great, but if you take away all the lyrically obscure 60s stuff, a big chunk of his catalogue goes out the window. I'm going to be different and nominate Mark Knopfler, just for the hell of it. His songs are full of observations of real life people doing real life things. I think Billy Joel's done some pretty good stuff too. Oh, and I definitely think good old Woody Guthrie deserves a mention too. Band MySpace My snazzy t-shirt empire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Yeti Bigfoot, Esq. Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Alfred M. Yankovic. "And so I definitely, when I have a daughter, I have a lot of good advice for her." ~Paris Hilton BWAAAHAAAHAAHAAA!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A String Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Roger Waters "Pink Floyd" stuff is some of my favourite lyrics. Craig Stringnetwork on Facebook String Network Forum My Music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyr Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Roger Waters "Pink Floyd" stuff is some of my favourite lyrics. Agreed, some of Pink Floyd's songs have deep lyrics, especially "Wish You Were Here." Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience. http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=810593 http://www.myspace.com/dandelavega Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kramer Ferrington III. Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Alfred M. Yankovic. I thought you liked the guy that wrote The Monster Mash? Band MySpace My snazzy t-shirt empire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MILLO Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Alfred M. Yankovic. +1 Genius! "Without music, life would be a mistake." --from 'Beyond Good and Evil', by Friedrich Nietzsche My MySpace Space Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Yeti Bigfoot, Esq. Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Alfred M. Yankovic. I thought you liked the guy that wrote The Monster Mash? Oh, yeah...I forgot about him! Bobby Pickett. "And so I definitely, when I have a daughter, I have a lot of good advice for her." ~Paris Hilton BWAAAHAAAHAAHAAA!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otherstar Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 For humor, how about Tom Lehrer? BE PREPARED Be prepared! That's the Boy Scouts' marching song,Be prepared! As through life you march along.Be prepared to hold your liquor pretty well.Don't write naughty words on walls if you can't spell. Be prepared! To hide that pack of cigarettes.Don't make book if you cannot cover bets.Keep those reefers hidden where you're sure that they will not be found,And be careful not to smoke them when the scoutmaster's around,**For he only will insist that they be shared, be prepared! Be prepared! That's the Boy Scouts' solemn creed,Be prepared! And be clean in word and deed.Don't solicit for your sister, that's not nice,Unless you get a good percentage of her price. Be prepared! And be careful not to doYour good deeds when there's no one watching you.If you're looking for adventure of a new and different kind,And you come across a Girl Scout who is similarly inclined,Don't be nervous, don't be flustered, don't be scared. Be prepared! or THE MASOCHISM TANGOI ache for the touch of your lips, dear,But much more for the touch of your whips, dear.You can raise weltsLike nobody else,As we dance to the Masochism Tango. Let our love be a flame, not an ember,Say it's me that you want to dismember.Blacken my eye,Set fire to my tie,As we dance to the Masochism Tango. At your commandBefore you here I stand,My heart is in my hand...Yeech!It's here that I must be. My heart entreats,Just hear those savage beats,And go put on your cleatsAnd come and trample me. Your heart is hard as stone or mahogany,That's why I'm in such exquisite agony.My soul is on fire,It's aflame with desire,Which is why I perspire when we tango. You caught my noseIn your left castanet, love,I can feel the pain yet, love,Ev'ry time I hear drums. And I envy the roseThat you held in your teeth, love,With the thorns underneath, love,Sticking into your gums. Your eyes cast a spell that bewitches.The last time I needed twenty stitchesTo sew up the gashThat you made with your lash,As we danced to the Masochism Tango. Bash in my brain,And make me scream with pain,Then kick me once again,And say we'll never part. I know too wellI'm underneath your spell,So, darling, if you smellSomething burning, it's my heart... [hiccup]'Scuse me! Take your cigarette from its holder,And burn your initials in my shoulder.Fracture my spine,And swear that you're mine,As we dance to the Masochism Tango. Turn me over, I'm done on this side... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smirk Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 He tends to get more attention just for being a freak but Maynard from Tool comes up with some good stuff like this one from the last album, one of the best Tool songs ever to me. Angels on the sideline,Puzzled and amused.Why did Father give these humans free will?Now they're all confused. Don't these talking monkeys know thatEden has enough to go around?Plenty in this holy garden, silly monkeys,where there's one you're bound to divide it Right in two Angels on the sideline,Baffled and confused.Father blessed them all with reason.And this is what they choose.Monkey killing monkey killing monkeyOver pieces of the ground. Silly monkeys give them thumbs,They forge a blade,And where there's one they'rebound to divide it, Right in two.Right in two. Monkey killing monkey killing monkeyOver pieces of the ground.Silly monkeys give them thumbs, they make a clubAnd beat their brother down. How they survive so misguided is a mystery.Repugnant is a creature who would squander the abilityto lift an eye to heaven conscious of his fleeting time here. cut it, divide it all right in two (x4) They fight, till they dieOver earth, over skyThey fightOver lies, over blood, over airAnd light, over love, over sonOver bloodThey fight, till they die, over what? for our lies! Angels on the sideline againBenched along with patience and reasonAngels on the sideline againWondering when this tug of war will end cut it, divide it all right in two (x3)Right in two Wonder what the new Linkin Park album would sound like if they didn't have Perfect Circle to steal from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smirk Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 Sorry to double post but I have to also mention Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcias long time song writing partner. This tune was written with Bob Weir but it's one of my favorite Dead tunes. Jack StrawWe can share the womenWe can share the wineWe can share what we got of yours'Cause we done shared all of mine Keep a rollingJust a mile to goKeep on rolling, my old buddyYou're moving much too slow I just jumped the watchmanRight outside the fenceTook his ring, four bucks in changeNow ain't that heaven sent? Hurts my ears to listen, ShannonBurns my eyes to seeCut down a man in cold blood, ShannonMight as well be me We used to play for silverNow we play for lifeOne's for sport and one's for bloodAt the point of a knifeNow the die is shakenNow the die must fallThere ain't a winner in this gameWho don't go home with allNot with all... Leaving TexasFourth day of JulySun so hot, clouds so lowThe eagles filled the sky Catch the Detroit LightningOut of Santa FeGreat Northern out of CheyenneFrom sea to shining sea Gotta get to TulsaFirst train we can rideGot to settle one old scoreAnd one small point of pride... Ain't no place a man can hide, ShannonKeep him from the sunAin't no bed will give us rest, man,You keep us on the run Jack Straw from WichitaCut his buddy downDug for him a shallow graveAnd layed his body down Half a mile from TucsonBy the morning lightOne man gone and another to goMy old buddy you're moving much too slow We can share the womenwe can share the wine... So the story goes on and the song ends on the IV so it doesn't feel over, always thought that was a cool touch. Also, here is the link to the annotated Dead lyrics, very interesting site that covers all the bases, lots of cool info here and lots more of Robert Hunters poetry. http://arts.ucsc.edu/Gdead/AGDL/ Wonder what the new Linkin Park album would sound like if they didn't have Perfect Circle to steal from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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