Best Lyricists?

[Peestie]

Originally Posted by CreepingDeath

Butler/Iommi

Just to be picky, Iommi never actually wrote any of the lyrics. Geezer wrote almost all of them in the 70's until Dio took over and after that it was (largely) the lead singer at the time who wrote them, even when Geezer was back. However, I do agree that his lyrics are great.

A few of my favourites would be (in no order):

Avey Tare. Often surreal nonsense but it's pleasing to the ears (Animal Collective)
Elliott Smith
Sam Beam (Iron & Wine)
Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)
Later day Neal Peart after he dropped the sci-fi stuff, especially their last album (Rush)
Jim Steinman because he's just so over the top (worked with Meat Loaf and others)
Jeff Mangum (Neutral Milk Hotel)
Paul Simon


Regina Spektor is pretty good but I only know one album so far.

Sometimes I think Ben Gibbard is great and sometimes I think he can do some absolute dross, depending on my mood.