Which one is the best lyricist ?

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by face of glass

No intention of knocking anyone here Johnny, it's just my perception I'm bringing out again

You still probably remember when I stated that laughing can be as deep as crying and that's why I don't buy into the "Stevie is deeper than the others" mentality that I know some people have around here.

I connect with "Family Man" as much as I connect with "Gypsy" (although I wouldn't like to list the various reasons again ) and that is because the former makes me laugh and makes me completely giddy while the latter makes me cry, even in front of people. It's totally different things that Stevie and Lindsey can do; the Lindsey tracks that make me cry like Stevie songs do I can count with the fingers of one hand and the Stevie songs that give me some sense of the same fun I get with Lindsey are of the same number. These rare occasions that I'm talking about are "Stand Back", "Jimmy Come On Back" and "Say You Will"; "You And I Part One", "Street Of Dreams" and "Down On Rodeo". I know they're not related to each other and don't sound alike but they just hit this weird nerve in me.

My problem with Stevie's solo work has been that she very often seems to be about the artistic depth and seriousness only; she very rarely lets her hair down or explores the other sides of her psyche. That's why she moves me somewhat less than Lindsey does; in my own twisted idea of what a human being should be I think Lindsey appears more humane than Stevie.

But it's just my opinion and we should also note that it's Lindsey who's overtly serious in interviews while Stevie is always spontaneous and humorous. Which is great, as far as I'm concerned.

Hi Gaius!

Trust me, I'd be the last one to discount the importance of humour.

A lot of Lindsey's song do make me smile, and are a whole lot of fun (though I can't recall ever finding myself laughing outright. Not even "Family Man"!).

I think that there are a lot of "fun" songs out there (Harry Nillson's "Coconut," Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville," any number of Weird Al Yankovic songs, heck, even the "Macarena"), and those songs, as well as songs like "Bwana" and "Johnny Stew," are important, because life needs levity... but for a song to truly affect me in a deep-down way, I have to feel like the lyrics are offering me a glimpse into the songwriter's psyche.

Not just the "fun guy at parties" part, but the parts that we don't tend to let other people see.

I think that's why I love "When I See You Again" so much (sorry to come back to that song once again)... Stevie is baring her soul on that one. She's despondent, alone and traumatized by a broken love-affair, and there's nothing left to do but walk the hallways, and stare at the stairs, and obsess over what her lover might say to her, if he could see her now.

Some people hate that song, and feel it could be better written (or better sung), and that's fine... but I'm left feeling as if Stevie just shared her deepest, darkest secrets. So it moves me to no end.

I'm not saying that makes her "better" than Lindsey (I hate the word "better," by the way), I'm just saying it's what gives her the edge... in my lone opinion... in these matters.

So while "Empire State" and "Dancing Across The USA" are terrific songs, and a whole helluva lot of fun, I'm never going to "connect" with them, the way I connect with Stevie's songs. Or the way I connect to songs like "I'm So Afraid" or "Say Goodbye" (Lindsey's best lyrics ever, but, admittedly, not my favorite production-wise).

But again, this is why I always stress that Fleetwood Mac has something for everyone.
Whether it's Christine, Lindsey or Stevie, there's someone in this version of the band whose viewpoint and personality, just about anyone can find to be relatable.