100 Greatest Lyricists Of Rock 'n' Roll

Bruce · **Posted:** Tue Jan 29, 2019 4:29 pm

Tim wrote:

Bruce wrote:

How the fuck are Lennon and McCartney above Chuck Berry, Chuck should be top 10 at least.

Old list haven't been updated since 2005 and frankly, is rather arbitrary. I agree with you on Berry in top 10. Not sure if he should end up ahead of Lennon but ahead of McCartney, yeah.

Chuck was the first rock artist who made lyrics significant. Lennon stole his lyric and lost that lawsuit.

Tim · **Joined:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:47 pm **Posts:** 11198

The first group goes like this. Criteria are lyrical influence & acclaim, plus greatness (popularity, influence, acclaim) of songs written by lyricist.

2Pac
Al Stewart
Alex Turner
André 3000
Beck
Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie)
Ben Harper
Bernie Taupin
Big Daddy Kane
Billy Bragg
Billy Joel
Bob Dylan
Bob Marley
Bono
Brian Wilson

jfauser · **Posted:** Fri Feb 08, 2019 8:53 am

At work so can't do a thorough list but first thoughts are Bob Dylan obviously first, with 2pac possibly as high as second. Kane and Marley probably not that far behind. I haven't thought much about Wilson, Joel or Taupin from a lyrical standpoint but the popularity of their lyrical work certainly puts them up there. Will return after work with an actual list.

Tim · **Joined:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:47 pm **Posts:** 11198

That's my initial impression as well, except I considered Marley and Kane over 2Pac. Glad to see you on board, J!

Brian · **Joined:** Wed Oct 06, 2010 2:52 pm **Posts:** 4300

jfauser wrote:

At work so can't do a thorough list but first thoughts are Bob Dylan obviously first, with 2pac possibly as high as second. Kane and Marley probably not that far behind. I haven't thought much about Wilson, Joel or Taupin from a lyrical standpoint but the popularity of their lyrical work certainly puts them up there. Will return after work with an actual list.

Bono also does quite well in popularity.

jfauser · **Posted:** Fri Feb 08, 2019 11:08 pm

1. Bob Dylan
2. Bob Marley
3. 2Pac
4. Big Daddy Kane
5. Bernie Taupin
6. Bono
7. Brian Wilson
8. Andre 3000
9. Billy Joel
10. Al Stewart
11. Billy Bragg
12. Beck
13. Ben Gibbard
14. Alex Turner
15. Ben Harper

Tim · **Joined:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:47 pm **Posts:** 11198

This post is now dedicated to potential listmakers currently not on the list:

Ani DiFranco
Barrett Strong
Big L
Big Pun
Billy Corgan
Chrissie Hynde
Common
Cynthia Weil
Dan Fogelberg
Dave Mustaine
Del Shannon
Don McLean
Fish
George Clinton
Ghostface Killah
Gord Downie
Grandmaster Caz
Hank Ballard
Harry Chapin
James Brown
James Murphy
John Flansburgh & John Linnell (They Might Be Giants)
Ice-T
Isaac Brock
Kanye West
Kool Moe Dee
Kurtis Blow
Laurie Anderson
Lauryn Hill
MC Lyte
MF DOOM
M.I.A
Mark Knopfler
Martin Gore
Matt Berninger
Michelle Shocked
Mike D
Neil Peart
PJ Harvey
Pete Shelley
Peter Tosh
Posdnuos
Q-Tip
Rev Run
Robert Smith
Roland Orzabal
Roy Orbison
Sam Cooke
Scarface
Talib Kweli

jfauser · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2019 10:47 am

By the way I think MF DOOM should make the list

Tim · **Joined:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:47 pm **Posts:** 11198

jfauser wrote:

By the way I think MF DOOM should make the list

The starting list may as well be incomplete. Would you be ok with us completing the ranking process first and than taking a look on notable omissions which might make the list, including but not limited to MF Doom.

jfauser · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2019 12:57 pm

Sounds good to me

jfauser · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2019 5:02 pm

I'm working on the next couple but I'll wait because I'd like to hear from anyone else who might be interested

Tim · **Joined:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:47 pm **Posts:** 11198

1. Chuck Berry
2. Bruce Springsteen
3. Chuck D
4. Eddie Vedder
5. Curtis Mayfield
6. Donald Fagan
7. Cat Stevens
8. David Bowie
9. Eddie Holland
10. Doc Pomus
11. Conor Oberst
12. Don Henley
13. Chris Cornell
14. Chris Difford (Squeeze)
15. Chris Collingwood & Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne)

J, what do you think of this ranking?

jfauser · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2019 5:37 pm

This was my initial list

1. Chuck Berry
2. Eddie Holland
3. Curtis Mayfield
4. Bruce Springsteen
5. Doc Pomus
6. Cat Stevens
7. Chuck D
8. David Bowie
9. Conor Oberst
10. Don Henley
11. Eddie Vedder
12. Chris Cornell
13. Donald Fagan
14. Chris Difford
15. Chris Collingwood & Adam Schlesinger

But this is a strong group so I'm very open to compromising. I think our biggest differences are Vedder and Fagan (I admit not having a great knowledge of Fagan's work.) I'm pretty confident in keeping Holland and Mayfield high on the list but could see Springsteen and Chuck D right by them.

Tim · **Joined:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:47 pm **Posts:** 11198

So:

1. Chuck Berry
2. Eddie Holland
3. Curtis Mayfield
4. Bruce Springsteen
5. Chuck D
6. Doc Pomus
7. Cat Stevens
8. David Bowie
9. Conor Oberst
10. Eddie Vedder
11. Donald Fagan
12. Don Henley
13. Chris Cornell
14. Chris Difford
15. Chris Collingwood & Adam Schlesinger

jfauser · **Posted:** Sat Feb 09, 2019 5:46 pm

That's almost the same as the one I remade so looks great

100 Greatest Lyricists Of Rock 'n' Roll

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