Best lyric writer TODAY

[epo]

So amongst today's artists who is the best lyric writer? Sure we could get into an argument about "best ever", but this is not the place for it. I want to here your opinion of those actively working and producing new music in the current time period.

Who are they, what have they done and give an example.....

[MacVittie]

Sleeves.

[Kublakhan61]

Are we counting Rappers? Because my vote would probably go to Nas. Otherwise, I'll need to think about it - John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats comes to mind straight away.

[Snoogans]

the Hungry Hustler, AFROMAN

[RhinoinMN]

You lost me at today. Is Kris Kristofferson still writing. He's gotta be.

[KnoxHarrington]

I gotta give it up to Sufjan Stevens. Here's the lyrics to his song "Casimir Pulaski Day", which spins a just heartbreaking tale of young love, loss, and religious faith and the loss thereof in about 5 minutes:

Golden rod and the 4-H stone
The things I brought you
When I found out you had cancer of the bone

Your father cried on the telephone
And he drove his car to the Navy yard
Just to prove that he was sorry

In the morning through the window shade
When the light pressed up against your shoulder blade
I could see what you were reading

Oh the glory that the lord has made
And the complications you could do without
When I kissed you on the mouth

Tuesday night at the bible study
We lift our hands and pray over your body
But nothing ever happens

I remember at Michael's house
In the living room when you kissed my neck
And I almost touched your blouse

In the morning at the top of the stairs
When your father found out what we did that night
And you told me you were scared

Oh the glory when you ran outside
With your shirt tucked in and your shoes untied
And you told me not to follow you

Sunday night when I cleaned the house
I find the card where you wrote it out
With the pictures of your mother

On the floor at the great divide
With my shirt tucked in and my shoes untied
I am crying in the bathroom

In the morning when you finally go
And the nurse runs in with her head hung low
And the cardinal hits the window

In the morning in the winter shade
On the first of March on the holiday
I thought I saw you breathing

Oh the glory that the lord has made
And the complications when I see his face
In the morning in the window

Oh the glory when he took our place
But he took my shoulders and he shook my face
And he takes and he takes and he takes

[JerseyRich]

Tweedy. The man's a poet.

Special award to Sufjan.

[Snoogans]

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[hammersavage]

Jeff Tweedy is a modern Bob Dylan. The man has a gift for songwriting like I've rarely ever seen.


I also like Colin Meloy, the Decemberists make epic storied songs and albums.


Honorable mention to Ted Leo. This is my favorite of his lyrically:

Me and Johnny sittin' in the green grass -
I don't remember too much from that far back in the past,
But man, oh man, was Johnathan a laugh
In those days.
Apparently he was my very best friend -
We spent warm summer days wishing they would never end -
But I only know from photographs I look at
Every now and again.

And J-J-Johnny -
Ooh, ooh, all he left us was an apple tree,
And ooh, where'd he go, and ooh, why'd he leave,
And ooh, why do I grieve?

Now I don't ever see Johnathan no more,
But my life rolls on just like it did before,
And I only wonder what it is
That I even miss him for.

Me and Timory holdin' hands -
I was shakin' hers, 'cause she said she was a fan,
There was an awkward pause, and something that should've began
Just passed us by.
But I watched her sing along with every word,
In the prettiest voice that I never heard,
And I still see her dancing, wearin' my shirt:
Right there.

And t-t-timorous me -
All Timory left me was a memory.
And ooh, I was blind, and ooh, now I find
That I can't see.

Now me and Jodi spend a lot of our time
Just sittin' in silence, driving late at night,
And maybe even wonderin' what's on each other's mind
This time.
But I know she's like me, so I let it ride -
She's dwelling in that quiet space left behind,
Where only peace can answer why,
And you abide
The birds must fly.

[Snoogans]

Ben Harper

[JerseyRich]

Ben Harper


Your Red Sox have layed a severe beating on my Yankees this weekend and you come in here with that shit?

Put your hat on.

[Snoogans]

Your Red Sox have layed a severe beating on my Yankees this weekend and you come in here with that shit?

Put your hat on.

I would just like to post a verse of a classic Ben Harper song to prove my point:

In 1918 the great bambino
Kicked a piano into willis pond
But johnny damon swung a bat
Grand slam that was that
An 86 year curse is gone

[JerseyRich]

I would just like to post a verse of a classic Ben Harper song to prove my point:

In 1918 the great bambino
Kicked a piano into willis pond
But johnny damon swung a bat
Grand slam that was that
An 86 year curse is gone


See? Terrible.

[beachbum]

Chris Cornell has got to be up there.He rarely gets the respect he deserves.Even when Ron and Dave were talking about Seattle bands a few weeks ago he didn't get brought up.All of the writing he did for Soundgarden,Audioslave,and his solo work adds up to a pretty impressive catalog.Soungarden is supposed to be recording a new album with a tour to follow.

[realmenhatelife]

I always give it to Mountain Goats over Sufjan Stevens.

Frank Black and Kim Deal are both still working but I like Kim Deal better even though Frank Black did the better work in the Pixies.

And I'd have to say Jenny Lewis or the Lewis/Sennett combo. I like impressionist lyrics and their ability to take some obtuse topics and link them together. Jenny Lewis is particularly good at writing about the desire for fame and upward mobility and the environment that creates, and what it does to you and your relationship with faith.

[Kublakhan61]

I always give it to Mountain Goats over Sufjan Stevens.

Frank Black and Kim Deal are both still working but I like Kim Deal better even though Frank Black did the better work in the Pixies.



I forgot about Kim Deal - the latest album is really strong, I'm looking forward to getting a copy of the new EP this week.

[jessicaduh]

i'm terrible at "bests" and "favorites." it's all relative and kind of meaningless to me...perhaps because my passions wax and wane with great rapidity.

[ADF]

Andrew Bird has some quality lyrics.

[drjoek]

Robert Hunter
still

[burrben]

i submit m. ward

[Puggle_kicker]

Robert Hunter
still

Amen, he just collaborated with Dylan on a new album.

N.P. -- The dead from MSG, China Cat Sunflower . . . Hunters first for the dead and one of his finest.

[realmenhatelife]

I forgot about Kim Deal - the latest album is really strong, I'm looking forward to getting a copy of the new EP this week.

I just listened to it and its pretty good. I'm not crazy about the Mark Lannegan song but the Bob Marley cover sounds like it could be on Title TK. The title track is pretty good and jangly and the other song has overmodulated vocals, which I like.

Now that I read about the art and stuff on the EP I'd kindof like to go buy it.

[Kublakhan61]

I just listened to it and its pretty good. I'm not crazy about the Mark Lannegan song but the Bob Marley cover sounds like it could be on Title TK. The title track is pretty good and jangly and the other song has overmodulated vocals, which I like.

Now that I read about the art and stuff on the EP I'd kindof like to go buy it.

So, you're saying its out there right not for anyone looking to 'hear before they buy" ... I'm all over that. The lead single didn't strike as anything too special but I never miss an opportunity to hear new Breeders music.

[realmenhatelife]

So, you're saying its out there right not for anyone looking to 'hear before they buy" ... I'm all over that. The lead single didn't strike as anything too special but I never miss an opportunity to hear new Breeders music.


I was able to preview it from the sordomusic database, I dont remember the exact URL but you can google it. You have to put in the password, which is 'quack'

The limited edition, hand printed record came out last week from what I'm reading, I dont know if there are plans to release it again.