Your favorite songwriter ever?

[Nico]

Does anyone have a definite all-time favorite songwriter? Or maybe a top 5? I'm always curious to read about others' musical inclinations and who they are most touched by. Or is it too difficult a feat to even go there?

[mezzoforte]

1. Van Morrison
2. Brian Wilson
3. Stevie Nicks
4. Paul Simon
5. Laura Nyro


Also:

Kate Bush, Carole King/Gerry Goffin, Billy Joel, Cat Stevens

[Fiver]

Yes, tough question... I quite like the guy in your avatar though.



Some others:

Townes Van Zandt
Neil Young
Kate Bush
Brian Wilson with Van Dyke Parks (does a collaboration count?)
Joni Mitchell

Some members of FM are in my top 5, but we talk about them enough, huh?

Actually, I can't decide who my favorite songwriter of the band is, so I chickened out and skipped 'em.

[louielouie2000]

Of all the artists I love, I think Joseph Arthur is probably the best songwriter. But Stevie Nicks is easily my favorite.

[Pyewacket]

My favorite songwriters are all women. Don't know why. Don't care.

I'd say Stevie Nicks was in my top five...she knows how to write a melody and her lyrics are very poetic and deep and....speak the truth, really. I won't include a video for her since...well, she's pretty well-known around these parts. But a favorite would be "Garbo" -- all versions.

Kate Bush is my favorite songwriter of all time. She seems to be, in some ways, the opposite of Stevie -- more cerebral and inventive than emotional and reactive, but she has that side of her as well. The recommended song for Stevie fans: Under The Ivy


I also love Carly Simon. She's more of a sensible songwriter -- very adept at a melody and very canny with a wry comment or a devastatingly wistful reflection. She doesn't get enough credit for her abilities. She's among the best!


Also among my favorites is Tori Amos, though sometimes I fault her for trying too hard and pushing the crazy to the point where it seems...actually...crazy. But her melodies are infallible. She does a cover of that Carly Simon song (above), but for now, I'll go with this song, which I recorded of her live at the Greek:


Finally a relatively new singer/songwriter, who often shares songwriting duties with her husband Keir Nuttall. Her name is Kate Miller-Heidke and she's as good as anyone at delivering a chillingly deep, heartbreaking song. But one thing she does better than anyone is...the song that speaks so well to situations we all face, that you can't help but laugh your ass off. This one I filmed at The Hotel Cafe and is NSFW:

[Nico]

These selections are all so fantastic. I don't know much about Joseph Arthur, Louie, but I'm intrigued to say the least. I checked out his albums on Amazon and they all seem so highly rated. Is there one you could recommend?

LOVE that someone picked Kate Bush as their favorite songwriter. My dad would approve.

And Townes Van Zandt, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell...

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by Nico

I don't know much about Joseph Arthur, Louie, but I'm intrigued to say the least. I checked out his albums on Amazon and they all seem so highly rated. Is there one you could recommend?

His albums are all so varied in style and content. His newer ones tend to be much more progressive and experimental, and probably not as easily accessible. The best diving off point in my opinion is either Redemption's Son or Nuclear Daydream. I think Redemption's Son is his consummate work, his Tusk, if you will. Here are a couple of Joseph's more accessible songs:







And yes, he definitely has more hard rock songs. I chose these because they're easily accessible to most listeners. He also has dabbled a bit into country and electronica. He' all about experimenting and mixing it up. He reminds me a lot of Lindsey Buckingham in his kinda manic approach to sonic experimentation. Except Joseph's a THOUSAND times more prolific .

[CreepingDeath]

This will probably change by tomorrow. I'm not thinking too clearly right now.

Stevie Nicks
Lucinda Williams
Carole King
Carly Simon
Joni Mitchell
Roseanne Cash
Dolly Parton
Bruce Springsteen
Nick Cave
Roger Waters/David Gilmour
Lennon/McCartney
Neil Young

[Dodfather]

Originally Posted by CreepingDeath

This Lucinda Williams
Dolly Parton

Seems we have very similar music taste! I love that you've included Dolly here. So often all the image that goes with her means that her talent as a connsumate songwriter is overlooked.

Here's a list of my favourites, no real order (other than probably the first few on the list):

Jackson Browne
Adam Duritz
Jani Mitchell
Stevie Nicks
Suzanne Vega
Neil Young
Carole King
James Taylor
Dolly Parton
Alison Moyet
John Hiatt

So many more....

[McTrouble]

Lindsey Buckingham - no-one else comes close, or ever will

[Dodfather]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

Like so many people I guess, I only knew this song for ages because of The O.C. Sorry if that hurts your everything Louie but I loved the first 2 seasons of that show! Always loved that track and so did investigate the album a while ago. I like it and have been meaning to pick it up. I also need to get Come To Where I'm From - In The Sun was in The O.C. too!

[Pyewacket]

You snared me, louielouie2K...I've never heard of Joseph Arthur (I've never once watched the OC, either) and just nabbed two of his albums on ebay. I don't know why I'm not a big follower of many male performers. Sufjan Stevens has come the closest, but I find that while I appreciate his stuff, I don't listen to it often enough to make me a "fan." Thanks for posting the JA videos...can't wait to have the CDs in my hands...

[RickRobert]

I love Marc Bolan, Jack Johnson, Fish, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Paul McCartney, and the Hanson guys.

[ruffian]

Ms. Nicks, Leonard Cohen, Lou Reed, Felice & Boudleaux Bryant, Chrissie Hynde, Ray Davies, Dolly Parton, Cole Porter, Harlan Howard, Johnny Mercer, Holland/Dozier/Holland, Lee Hazelwood.

[Jondalar]

Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Lucinda Willams, Leanard Cohen, Johnette Napolatin, Joni Mitchell, Tom Petty, dolly parton, fiona apple...