Best Lyricists?

[Dodfather]

Originally Posted by Cornflake Girl

I'm really interested in your opinions on who are the best lyricists are (not exclusively in classic rock, or english).

I'm not going to order my list, I don't really think you can do that when it comes to deciding greats..

My choices are; Tori Amos (shocking I'm sure), Lou Reed, Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Ani DiFranco, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Paul Westerberg, Conor Oberst, Paul Simon. Oh, and Jewel (sometimes).

I guess this is also a little self-serving, I tend to be more interested in the lyrics than the melody of a song, so I'm hoping to get some recommendations.

I found this thread a bit late and most of mine have been said (Jackson Browne especially) but I have to add Adam Duritz to this list. You knew I would, sorry! A fantastic lyricist, really does it for me.

Jewel...sometimes. Haha! I totally agree. I love lots of the tracks on Pieces of You but Spirit is a bit of a let down (save for FANTASTIC Down So Long). I think my favourite album of hers is This Way though, the one that nobody else seems to like! Do we dare speak of 0304?! Hmmmm.... As of yet I haven't got Goodbye Alice in Wonderland or Perfectly Clear. Would you recommend them? My God, her poetry is dreadful as well...