100 Greatest Lyricists Of Rock 'n' Roll

Deany · **Posted:** Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:59 am

The thing is: Simon is almost universally acclaimed, while Morrison is much more polarizing. Oh, and I'm going to say Simon is more influential than Morrison for being one of the early influences of the singer-songwriter style.

Negative Creep · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 5:21 pm **Posts:** 11709

Well it's a shame you took out originality. That would be where Morrison would demolish him.

But by your own breakdown, they tie. So wouldn't Morrison's edge in influence put him ahead?

I'm also not quite concrete on 'linguistic ability' - could you explain what that means a little more?

Deany · **Posted:** Wed Feb 29, 2012 10:02 am

Um, Simon is more influential, I think. I mentioned that. Also, Linguistic Ability = Skillz, basically.

Negative Creep · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 5:21 pm **Posts:** 11709

Deany wrote:

Um, Simon is more influential, I think. I mentioned that.

Deany wrote:

Influence: Morrison

Brian · **Joined:** Wed Oct 06, 2010 1:52 pm **Posts:** 2341

Negative Creep wrote:

Well it's a shame you took out originality.

I think it would be a mistake to have both uniqueness and originality as criteria. They're not exactly the same thing, but they're close enough that there would be a lot of overlap between the two.

Negative Creep · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 5:21 pm **Posts:** 11709

Well yeah they go hand in hand. I would've thought originality would be a little easier to determine though.

pauldrach · **Posted:** Mon Mar 19, 2012 4:40 pm

Hi. So, where were we?

Brian · **Joined:** Wed Oct 06, 2010 1:52 pm **Posts:** 2341

Hi Paul. Deany's post from p.47 is probably the best answer to your question:

Deany wrote:

Here's how the list stands now:

1. Bob Dylan
2. Neil Young
3. John Lennon
4. Leonard Cohen
5. Bruce Springsteen
6. Jackson Browne
7. Roger Waters
8. Paul Simon
9. Pete Townshend
10. Elvis Costello

11. Joni Mitchell
12. Jim Morrison
13. Ray Davies
14. Chuck Berry
15. Tom Waits
16. Van Morrison
17. Smokey Robinson
18. Lou Reed
19. Bob Marley
20. Morrissey

21. Randy Newman
22. Warren Zevon
23. Rakim
24. Joe Strummer
25. Nick Cave
26. Eminem
27. Eddie Vedder
28. Maynard James Keenan
29. John Fogerty
30. Paul McCartney

31. Peter Gabriel
32. Gordon Lightfoot
33. Kurt Cobain
34. David Bowie
35. Chuck D
36. Cat Stevens
37. Donald Fagen
38. Tom Petty
39. James Taylor
40. George Harrison

41. Michael Stipe
42. The Notorious B.I.G.
43. Curtis Mayfield
44. Patti Smith
45. Jerry Leiber
46. Thom Yorke
47. Bernie Taupin
48. Brian Wilson
49. Nas
50. Gil Scott-Heron

51. Bono
52. Mark E. Smith
53. Tracy Chapman
54. Beck
55. 2Pac
56. Stevie Wonder
57. Suzanne Vega
58. Ian Anderson
59. Chris Cornell
60. Kate Bush

My next few suggestions would be:

Liz Phair
Tori Amos
Sly Stone
Paul Weller
Billy Joel
Jay-Z
Laura Nyro
Mick Jagger
Frank Zappa
Nick Drake

There's already a huge waiting list of candidates, and I can't see how Brown has any lyrical influence. Please elaborate.

Classic Rock Junkie · **Joined:** Wed Oct 13, 2010 2:05 am **Posts:** 1893

Yorke should move below Taupin and Wilson IMO, yes I listen to tons of radiohead before you say I'm just not familiar with him, I'm quite and I don't see how he beats either with our criteria, especially Taupin

pauldrach · **Posted:** Wed Mar 21, 2012 9:23 am

I could even see him moving below Nas, but not much further.

pauldrach · **Posted:** Wed Mar 21, 2012 9:33 am

As for Deany's suggestions: Looks pretty good. I could see Ice Cube and Robbie Robertson enter that group at the expense of maybe Joel and Weller, but all in all I'm cool with it.

ClashWho · **Joined:** Mon Oct 11, 2010 5:45 pm **Posts:** 19171

Eminem

#2

Negative Creep · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 5:21 pm **Posts:** 11709

Based on what?

ClashWho · **Joined:** Mon Oct 11, 2010 5:45 pm **Posts:** 19171

The criteria.

Negative Creep · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 5:21 pm **Posts:** 11709

So we're supposed to believe that he's a greater lyricist than Dylan and Young?

I fucking LOVE Eminem, and he should be really high on this list, but Rakim is the greatest rap lyricist.

100 Greatest Lyricists Of Rock 'n' Roll

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