Which of these is the best lyricist

[face of glass]

Dylan, of course. I don't usually like separating his lyrics from his singing but his stuff would easily survive the best on the pages of a book. Almost any album released by Bob in between 1963-1967 beats the best lyrics of Bowie or Buckingham.

Lindsey still needs his music for the lyrics if he wants them to have the maximum effect; he may have improved significantly but the game's been over for 40 years already.

[Ledgegirl]

Bob Dylan

[darklinensuit]

Originally Posted by misterbug

have you heard her album, Any Day Now, an album of dylan covers?

it's good for people who don't like dylan's craggy howl, but like/want to hear his lyrics. she sings them in a technically superb voice. 'love is just a four letter word' is a classic (also there are no known dylan recordings of this song). her 'sad-eyed lady of the lowlands' is very haunting, kind of a downer, but worth a listen if you have 11+ spare minutes.

I don't have any of her albums, but you just gave me a flashback to when Joan was on the Fame TV show about Sixties-style protests. BTW, I've always regretted arriving late to the Live Aid concert. If I remember, she was on early in the show so I missed her.

- Jake

[jadegypsy]

Dylan, didn't even have to think over that one. I do love both Lindsey and Bowie, but Dylans lyrics are just better. Now if it had read: Dylan, Jim Morrison, Lennon, Plant, Page, I would've been stumped.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by jadegypsy

Jim Morrison

Quite possibly one of the worst lyricists in history.

[CarneVaca]

Apples, oranges and mangoes. All different kinds of fruit, but fruit nonetheless.

Dylan by far. The only person who comes anywhere near him is Leonard Cohen.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Lux

Not one for Jim Morrison's lyrics either. American Poet? Perhaps, but of the lesser, simple rhyming kind. I don't like much of Page or Plant's either, but they're one up on Morrison.

From that lot, well there's no doubting that Lennon is easily my choice.

Morrison was ****ty. He couldn't write a decent song no matter how many underage girls he banged or how many acid trips he had per week; he was just bad.

And Lennon better than Dylan? Heck no!

[dissention]

Originally Posted by CarneVaca

Dylan by far. The only person who comes anywhere near him is Leonard Cohen.

Always the voice of reason, my man.

[cliffdweller]

I'm kind of disappointed that David is not getting the props he deserves as a lyricist. I know we're all Fleetwood Mac fanatics, but come on people, Bowie is a better lyricist than Lindsey! I mean, song for song, there's no comparison. Of course I listen to Lindsey's stuff more than David's but that's neither here nor there.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by cliffdweller

I'm kind of disappointed that David is not getting the props he deserves as a lyricist. I know we're all Fleetwood Mac fanatics, but come on people, Bowie is a better lyricist than Lindsey! I mean, song for song, there's no comparison. Of course I listen to Lindsey's stuff more than David's but that's neither here nor there.

Agreed.

And I think that the stuff on Heathen rivals what are considered his classics.

Sunday? Slip Away? Slow Burn? Those are some fantastic pieces of writing.

[jadegypsy]

"Quite possibly one of the worst lyricists in history."

"Morrison was ****ty. He couldn't write a decent song no matter how many underage girls he banged or how many acid trips he had per week; he was just bad."


Well as they say to each their own, I do like Jim Morrisons songs, and I like Dylans, it just depends on the mood that I'm in. As for his character or lack thereof if I listened to music based on that well, I would not be listening to much rock music now would I. Even Fleetowod Mac had their excesses, affairs, etc, not on the same level, but certainly not role-model status in their hey day.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by jadegypsy

"Quite possibly one of the worst lyricists in history."

"Morrison was ****ty. He couldn't write a decent song no matter how many underage girls he banged or how many acid trips he had per week; he was just bad."


Well as they say to each their own, I do like Jim Morrisons songs, and I like Dylans, it just depends on the mood that I'm in. As for his character or lack thereof if I listened to music based on that well, I would not be listening to much rock music now would I. Even Fleetowod Mac had their excesses, affairs, etc, not on the same level, but certainly not role-model status in their hey day.

It's all personal preference. More power to ya!

[Hawkeye]

Lindsey far from this list. I can't stand Bowie and Dylan's annoying. But the best male lyricist overall is Paul Simon

[CarneVaca]

Originally Posted by Lux

Heck yes! But there's no point in arguing (as we no doubt will anyway) because neither of us will convince the other.

Cohen is on par with Dylan, but still I prefer Lennon.

Heck, I prefer Lennon too. But Dylan's lyrical genius is undeniable. Compare "Imagine" to something like "Masters of War." Don't get me wrong, I love the Lennon song, naive daydreaming and all, but Dylan is by far a better lyricist.

Frankly, I shake my head that more people fail to see that. I think there's too much judgment being passed on his voice and persona, rather than just focusing on the lyrics, which is what the original question is about.

[CarneVaca]

To quote myself:

Frankly, I shake my head that more people fail to see that. I think there's too much judgment being passed on his voice and persona, rather than just focusing on the lyrics, which is what the original question is about.

See what I mean:

Dylan's annoying.