Who do you think the best song writer in the last 20 years?
 

Im wondering what everyone's opinion is on this.
Who is your favorite song writer...or you would you classify as the best?
Keep in mind, that doesnt have to mean this person is the best musician in the world...just a good all around song writer.

My first pick might have to go to Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters.

Coner Oberst of Bright Eyes fame

Mind if I shit all over your theory because "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" does not constitute lyrics, and the whole fact that he denies AIDS?

My vote: Steve Perry. Not for the asinine 80s lyrics, but the voice that melted a million panties - in the first week.

prince
..

Morrissey or Noel gallagher.

Steve Perry was an awesome singer, but definitely not the greatest song writer.
I also dont mind if you shit all over my theory, lol!

Yeah. I can't think of any good writers other than Jeff Buckley, but if I say him, I'll look like a pussy.

Grohl is a good singer, but his personal politics shit me. :(

True dat :thumbsup

Glenn Danzig, though his original line-up (post Misfits and Samhain) (with Him, Chuck, Eerie, and John) had the best songs because everyone contributed.

Woah, just looked this up... Did not know this about him. I'm all for questioning, but that's a little on the wacko side for me.

I can't really narrow down to "the best" song writer... Music is way too varied for that. But Beth Gibbons/Geoff Barrow would definitely be on my top 10 list.

Agreed!!

Umm James Taylor comes to mind.
Im on the country side of things, so I could list probably a dozen most people on the board have never heard of, and frankly you should have it as "singer song writer" because most people never know the actual writer of it.

not sure i like alot of stuff that new ozzy song is good

the greatest songwriters write no lyrics
michael kamen

If anyone can think of a better songwriter than Bernie Taupin let me know :thumbsup

http://images.starpulse.com/AMGPhoto...08659xny9p.jpg

Not only was he Elton John's writer but he also wrote for Heart and Alice Cooper :)
_

If we are talking about just the last 20 years I would say Kurt Cobain, Eddie Vedder, Grant Lee Phillips and Bono (and I'm sure I am missing plenty of greats.) If we are talking all time then you have to add in McCartney and Lennon. Jagger and Richards, Tom Waits (although he has done some flat out brilliant work in recent years) Niel Young, Dylan, Peter Gabrial, Roger Waters and Springsteen.

There are so many great songs out there that it is hard to say who is best so my list is just my personal faves and people I think really influenced other people.

Although he died in 1981 - Harry Chapin was among the greatest songwriters IMO.

These days, I like Neil Peart as a lyricist (he writes almost all the lyrics to the Rush songs). Aside from that, he's also the greatest drummer in the world.

Good point dude...I just figured a lot of the major music fans might know.
The list is pretty good anyways though, lol!

last 20 years? wow... that's quite a list. I don't know, quick out of my head (and knowing I'm forgetting a lot):

Josh Homme (QOTSA)
Frank Black (Pixies)
Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth)
Nick Cave
Kevin Shields
Kurt Ralske
Jeff Buckley
Robert Del Naja aka 3D (Massive Attack)
Tricky
Stephen Malkmus (Pavement)
Gene and Dean Ween
Perry Farrell
Martin Gore/Dave Gahan
Dave Grohl
Kurt Cobain
Scott Weiland / Den DeLeo (only on STP)
Maynard Keenan (Tool)
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Richard Patrick (Filter)

and of course Bowie who continues making great music :thumbsup

20 yrs that would start at 1988. Those who started at that time forward I would say Pearl Jam,Art Alexakis ,Dave Grohl and Trent Reznor.

Dave Grohl :1orglaugh:1orglaugh:1orglaugh.

Just no.

that's the thing eh. now if it was in the last 28 years, i'd include elvis costello.

tom petty and bruce springsteen are pretty great song writers too.

willie nelson comes to mind.

Kurt Cobain, Trent Reznor, Bono, Marilyn Manson, Beth Gibbons and Serj Tankian all come to mind...at least in my mind.

Max Martin

James Hetfield, Metallica.

Morrissey ...

Blake Schwarzenbach, Elliott Smith

Geddy Lee

Bob Dylan is still writing

Jim Steinman

Billy Corrigan

Check out the songs credited to Desmond Child. Absolutely incredible no matter how shitty some of the songs are. As far as essence, I go with Steve Harris from Maiden.

Even if you aren't an Elton John fan it is hard to argue too much with Bernie Taupin. I guess the question is about the past 20 years.

20 years..that takes us from between 1988 and now and it is hard to name too many song writers with a vast known body of work where people think of them as songwriters apart from any music they also play (ie Lennon and McCartney)

Then you have the question of what you mean by writing a song..the lyrics or the tune or both?

I have always thought Daryl Hall is one heck of a lyricist ..even if Hall and Oates may not be somebody's bag. However, that doesn't fit in 20 years much either.