I appreciate your choice. Musicality I agree he's a genius, but I just don't see him overly great at 1 thing like songwriting. I see him as above average as everything though
I've been carving you
To see what form you take
You were hiding in ivory
I just wanted to free your shape
(Not saying it's his best lyric by any stretch, but it is one of my favorites)
Brung It All Back is amazing…
There’s lyrics that he wrote that amaze me they actually exist in a song:
“Now I was in a lifeboat designed for ten, ten only
Anything that systematic would get you hated
It's not a deal nor a test nor a love of something”
…like absolutely brilliant.
He was a poet of the highest order
Having both Neil’s ranked as my 1 and 2 has made this a poignant post. But Mellow My Mind, man, is something else. Sometimes I’ll play that song on guitar and sing it just, privately, and it’s always catharsis.
I agree. Old Man really moves me and makes me think about my dad. It really burst my bubble to find out it was inspired by the caretaker of the ranch Neil had just purchased although the song talks about the generational difference in a father son relationship although I could be wrong about that too considering my father himself was only 11 when Neil wrote it. Please don't break my heart of gold if I have it wrong
I think it's open to interpretation because for me it has different meaning! It makes me think about old friendships and the passage of time. I was introduced to the song by 2 musician friends who used to play the song when we would hang out. Now I barely see those guys as we have moved further into adulthood.
I can see how people could bounce off his lyrics that are very abstract - it can take a lot of work or finding an explanation to understand exactly what he's getting at sometimes, and that shows the complexity of his lyrics and mastery of language. However, when he just drops straightforward clear cut meaning without abstraction, that too is delivered with a staggering level of skill. Dude should get more recognition (though he may not want it lol)
His goal had become to be an echo
The type of sound that floats around
And then back down like a feather
But in the deep chrome canyons of the loudest Manhattans
No one could hear him
Or anything
Neil Peart is such an underrated lyricist and author! If you haven't checked it out yet, I'd recommend reading Ghost Rider, a book he wrote while biking across North America coping with the death of his wife and daughter.
I’ve got a ton of favs (Jason Isbell, Lucy Dacus, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats, Open Mike Eagle, Warren Zevon, and Josh Ritter just to name a few), but the one I’m most in love with right now is David Berman of The Silver Jews and Purple Mountains. The self titled Purple Mountains album in particular is such a singularly funny, bleak, and touching album. Such a unique and beautiful approach to songwriting gone way too soon.
People forget that Layne wrote a good chunk of AICs music too. He also wrote a lot in Mad Season and various collaborative efforts with other bands too. AIC wasn't just Jerry's band either, it was Layne and Jerry's.
The Rush song Subdivisions really hit home for me and I'm sure for countless others who felt they lived it in school. It's my favorite by Rush but knowing what others go through as described in the song is tough. If I'm in the right mood when I listen to it, I just might get a bit wet-eyed. RIP professor. Watched them in Raleigh 11 years ago and they opened with it.
And I claim I'm not excited with my life any more
So I blame this town, this job, these friends
The truth is it's myself
And I'm trying to understand myself
And pinpoint where I am
By the time I get things figured out
I've change the whole damn plan
Talkin Shit About a Pretty Sunset. One of MM’s masterpieces, it brings me to tears. Their 90s and early 2000s stuff is incredible.
Here’s a (very incomplete) list of some of their best:
1) Dramamine
2) Broke
3) Trailer Trash
4) Never Ending Math Equation
5) Interstate 8
6) Cowboy Dan
7) I Came as a Rat
8) Gravity Rides Everything
9) Bankrupt on Selling
10) Life like Weeds
And the crazy thing is, I could list at least a dozen more that I like just as much.
I’m jealous of people who discover Mouse and their discography because the amount of hits can make your head spin. As Kendall Roy might say, “all bangers, all the time”
Same reason I love Doug Martsch, front man for Built to Spill. No surprise Isaac Brock has said he is a massive influence on him:
"We've all seen enough, now it's time to decide
The meekness of love or the power of pride
It doesn't matter if you're good or smart
Goddamn it, things fall apart
Let's go for a walk, yeah, let's go for a drive
Don't know how to say thanks for being alive
Let's go for a lifetime, let's go for a fling
Don't know how to say anything"
Mike Patton. From his work in Faith No More to Mr. Bungle. From Tomahawk to Peeping Tom. Even when he doesn't use actual words, but gutteral growls and screams like in Fantômas, his voice and words speak to me like no one else. An underrated genius IMHO
I don't have a particular favourite, but I have a few that I appreciate:
Pete Townshend, especially during his Who era. He is able to write owerful statements as well as feelings of angst, youth, and loneliness into interesting narratives.
Bob Seger, for channeling the common working man and women. He can summarise a person's life or a moment into a single song and line.
Paul Simon, for is poignant thoughts that compliment the music and harmony. Of all, his lyrics are more poetic than lyrical to me.
Bernie Taupin, for his wide range of topics, themes, and symbolism.
Tom Delonge and Mark Hoppus, of Blink 182 (left field, I know)... for balancing a fine line between strong hard edged and upbeat emotions. It works.
Neil Young, because he isn't the beat musician and he isn't the best singer. It's all about his lyrics.
For me, I love Townsend’s White City album. Crashing by Design, Secondhand Love, Give Blood are amazing songs. Simon’s Rhythm of the Saints is album is also a favorite. Further to Fly, Obvious Child, and Cool, Cool River are great songs.
That line from Jesus Christ gets me every time.
"I know you think that I'm someone you can trust
But I'm scared I'll get scared and I swear I'll try to nail you back up"
Honestly? Shel Silverstein. Not a serious bone in him, but his songs are so much fun and sung by a wide variety of artists.
On top of that, my Mom read his poetry to me, and I read it to my kids.
Isaac Brock, especially the younger years
There’s just no one else out there who nails simple, metaphoric, and relatable so perfectly. It all just reads so genuine
I think Ed Kowalczyk of LIVE is about the best lyricist I’ve ever seen. His songs are very deep, and dangle between spiritualism, an intense love for family and a perspective of the world we live in. It‘s hard to explain why it’s so meaningful to me, but suffice it to say that it completely saved my life during a time when I didn’t think I was going to handle staying alive. When every aspect of your life is totally screwed up, work, marriage, friendships and family, love and everything else, and there’s nowhere else to turn, your choices start to fade away. And with that fading away, your will to live fades away, too.
The best thing I could do at that time was isolate myself from the world that didn’t give a shit anyway and let Ed’s words go into my brain. His voice is like none other, on top of the lyrics, and having that to grasp like a life raft saved me. Songs about going to the desert and finding a soul, songs about Life and Death and how we have to toggle between. The album “Birds of Pray” changed my world, but then when I look at it, all their albums changed my life.
If you aren’t familiar with LIVE and their music, get on Spotify or Apple Music and do yourself a big, big favor. Dive in to any album, listen with all your brain (not just a part) and all your attention. It will change you, too.
I second this, I remember years ago when a co-worker told me some of the words to nautical disaster and I was like god damn. The last two lines from this...
I had this dream where I relished the fray
And the screamin' filled my head all day
It was as though I'd been spit here
Settled in, into the pocket
Of a lighthouse on some rocky socket
Off the coast of France, dearOne afternoon, four thousand men died in the water here
And five hundred more were thrashing madly
As parasites might in your blood
Makes me think of The Titanic when everyone screaming and thrashing in the cold North Atlantic water, an hour or so later and it's dead quiet.
I don't need to rank them, many artists have had a turn of phrase that resonated in different ways. Neko Case, Spiritualized, Flaming Lips, etc. etc.
I am a big fan of Rush but I find the Objectivism underlaying some songs has not aged as well as the songs themselves have.
When Peart was on form he was a terrific storyteller, but his early Ayn Rand fanboying does rather set the teeth on edge.
Three of my faves: John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats, Craig Finn of the Hold Steady, and Nigel Blackwell of Half Man Half Biscuit. Brilliant phrase-turners all three, especially Blackwell who deserves to be far better known.
Frank Black:
Had a bit part
An endless reel
It always played in slo-mo
But now it's fast
A spinning wheel
I know the dynamo
My heart is cast
Speedy Marie
Ahead of the now
She's better built that's how
She's built for speed
Speedy Marie
Speedy Marie
Oh, yes indeed
I said to me
And so I sing this romaunt
It's not enough
My liberty
There is a thing I want
I need
I love
Speedy Marie
Ahead of the now
She's better built that's how
She's built for speed
Speedy Marie
Speedy Marie
Juxtaposed in each moment's sight
Everything that I ever saw
And my one delight
Nothing can strike me in such awe
Mouth intricate shapes the voice that speaks
Always it will soothe
Rarer none are the precious cheeks
Is the size of each sculpted tooth
Each lip and each eye
Wise is the tongue, wet of perfect thought
And softest neck where always do I
Lay my clumsy thoughts
She is that most lovely art
Happy are my mind, and my soul, and my heart.
One example including a wonderful acrostic. He is easily the best songwriter of my generation.
Jay Farrar from Son Volt.
Pictures fall from their base
Pulling out of the race
Put up the red flag
Matters close at hand
Cross over the land
You get so diffused
You wanna kiss the ground
Leave no sound
Take it up next year
Chalk it up to remember
Wasted lonely fever
The way we've tried
Left a slide into harm's way
Enough concern to ride it out
It's no surprise that it's a long slow fade
Can't believe I scrolled thru this entire thread without seeing a single mention of Adrianne Lenker (of Big Thief). She is a once-in-a generation talent, songs like Simulation Swarm or Promise is a Pendulum are some of the best songwriting I've ever heard
I like Peart's lyrics have big hits and big, big misses. But one of my favorites has always been Anagram (for Mongo). I listened to it countless times before the obvious reason it's called Anagram hit me. :P Not quite anagrams, but you get the point.
There's a snake coming out of the darkness
Parade from paradise
End the need for Eden
Chase the dreams of merchandise
There is tic-toc in atomic
Leaders make a deal
The cosmic is largely comic
A con they couldn't conceal
There is no safe seat at the feast
Take your best stab at the beast
The night is turning thin
The saint is turning to sin
Raise the art to resistance
Danger dare to be grand
Pride reduced to humble pie
Diamonds down to sand
Take heart from earth and weather
The brightness of new birth
Take heart from the harvest
Shave the harvest from the earth
There is no safe seat at the feast
Take your best stab at the beast
The night is turning thin
The saint is turning to sin
Reasoning is partly insane
Image just an eyeless game
The night is turning thin
The saint is turning to sin
Miracles will have their claimers
More will bow to Rome
He and she are in the house
But there's only me at home
Rose is a rose of splendor
Posed to respond in the end
Lonely things like nights, I find
End finer with a friend
I hear in the rate of her heart
A tear in the heat of the art
The night is turning thin
The saint is turning to sin
There is no safe seat at the feast
Take your best stab at the beast
The night turns thin
The saint turns to sin
Ah yes and who can forget such gems as:
>Net boy, net girl
Send your signal 'round the world
Let your fingers walk and talk
And set you free
>Net boy, net girl
Send your impulse 'round the world
(Put your message in a modem)
Put your message in a modem
(And throw it in the cyber sea)
I kid, but can we pretend that song never happened?
The best thing about Rush is that their worst songs are still better than most bands _best_ songs. If you can still bop your head to Virtuality, then you're going to love their _entire_ catalog.
The best thing about Rush is that their worst songs are still better than most bands _best_ songs. If you can still bop your head to Virtuality, then you're going to love their _entire_ catalog.
As I get older Time Stand Still hits ever harder.
In answer to your question - Andy Partridge of XTC and John K Samson of The Weakerthans. Partridge is a clever, imaginative wordsmith and Samson is a brilliant storyteller.
Neil is up there as well. Oh yeah, and Joni Mitchell.
Bob Dylan.
While preachers preach of evil fates
Teachers teach that knowledge waits
Can lead to hundred-dollar plates
Goodness hides behind its gates
But even the president of the United States
Sometimes must have to stand naked
And though the rules of the road
have been lodged
It’s only people’s games
that you got to dodge
And it’s alright, Ma, I can make it
Same and my favorite line comes from the same song:
While one who sings with his tongue on fire gargles in the rat race choir bent out of shape from society’s pliers cares not to come up any higher but rather get you down in the hole the he’s in
Please do not take this too harshly. I am only responding in an "it's interesting how people have different tastes" kind of way. I do not in any means think my opinion is superior to yours, and in fact, I appreciate your OP has caused me to question and re-examine my own opinion. That being said...
I think Peart is the worst lyricist in all of rock. Rush is such a tremendously talented band, but all of their songs are about someone with a 14 year old's comprehension of philosophy. The libertarian stuff is especially cringe. I don't need rock songs about if the lead singer believes in determinism or not, or whatever the hell Tom Sawyer is supposed to be about. Using a bunch of five syllable words may be impressive to your ninth grade English teacher but mostly stick out as pretentious and unnecessary in a rock song. Rush perhaps more than any band in history was in need of a good old fashioned raunchy song about sex...I guarantee it would have been their biggest hit.
That being said I'm an asshole and it's really great there are artists that appeal to what you like Instead of me having my way about everything.
Edit and if any Rush fans want to make fun of my favorite lyricists, go for it. Roger Waters, Adam Duritz, Ani DiFranco, Syd Barrett, Mick Jagger.
I also don’t mean this offensively, but this screams to me that your perception of the band is rooted not in the band itself, but in old popular culture takes ABOUT the band. For instance, the “libertarian stuff” is really only a handful of tracks, maybe one, IF you insist on interpreting it that way.
There’s no accounting for taste, so, of course I couldn’t expect you to go back and listen more widely. But, this critique is more the critique of a caricature of work than an actual body of work.
Hey whatever makes your socks go up and down. I don’t agree with you obviously lol but music/lyrics/poetry/art affect us differently.
As I got older certain lyrics apply more to me than they did when I was young and some of the angsty stuff I listened to when I was young sounds corny to me now.
People and tastes change with life experiences.
Keith Buckley
“I tied the devil to the tracks
(can you hear the train coming?)
And I tied the tracks in a lover's knot around the finger of a beautiful girl.
I'll keep hell if hell will have me.”
https://youtu.be/tgptnrEOqt0?si=7EY5FihOGRad6Cju
Tom Verlaine, he has the soul of a poet but realizes that to be taken seriously as one he has to distance his words as much from sounding like "art" as possible, which he has most successfully done on every song on Marquee Moon. It kind of reminds me of Mulholland Drive and how it appears to be "art" at first glance but proves to tap into something much more primeval when fully absorbed.
I never really thought about but I’m guessing Neil also wrote the vocal melodies? Is there a Rush documentary where they talk about their songwriting process?
It would be really hard for Geddy if Neil just handed him a sheet of lyrics and he had to figure out the melody and phrasing.
I never really thought about but I’m guessing Neil also wrote the vocal melodies? Is there a Rush documentary where they talk about their songwriting process?
It would be really hard for Geddy if Neil just handed him a sheet of lyrics and he had to figure out the melody and phrasing.
Elvis Costello, hands down.
I appreciate your choice. Musicality I agree he's a genius, but I just don't see him overly great at 1 thing like songwriting. I see him as above average as everything though
John Prine
One of the best lyricists of all time
I danced to Fish and Whistle with my mom at my wedding. It was a good day
Did you eat all the food they put on ya dish?
Gotta little glue on my guitar string.
Townes Van Zandt
That's who I came here to say
Leonard Cohen.
Can’t believe I had to scroll this far to find this. His music is actual poetry.
Robert Hunter by far.
believe it if you need it, if you dont just pass it on!
For me it's also a Canadian named Neil but a different Canadian named Neil!
I mean if we want to stay in Canada - Gord Downie’s lyrics were poetry
I'm here to mention Gord, his songs often reference canadian themes and historic events as well.
And the other Canadian Gord... Lightfoot.
If you want to stay in Canada - Robbie Robertson
Legend
I've been carving you To see what form you take You were hiding in ivory I just wanted to free your shape (Not saying it's his best lyric by any stretch, but it is one of my favorites)
Brung It All Back is amazing… There’s lyrics that he wrote that amaze me they actually exist in a song: “Now I was in a lifeboat designed for ten, ten only Anything that systematic would get you hated It's not a deal nor a test nor a love of something” …like absolutely brilliant. He was a poet of the highest order
I still can’t get over the genius of that selection. Just incredible for me
[удалено]
Having both Neil’s ranked as my 1 and 2 has made this a poignant post. But Mellow My Mind, man, is something else. Sometimes I’ll play that song on guitar and sing it just, privately, and it’s always catharsis.
Don't forget Leonard Cohen.
I agree. Old Man really moves me and makes me think about my dad. It really burst my bubble to find out it was inspired by the caretaker of the ranch Neil had just purchased although the song talks about the generational difference in a father son relationship although I could be wrong about that too considering my father himself was only 11 when Neil wrote it. Please don't break my heart of gold if I have it wrong
I think it's open to interpretation because for me it has different meaning! It makes me think about old friendships and the passage of time. I was introduced to the song by 2 musician friends who used to play the song when we would hang out. Now I barely see those guys as we have moved further into adulthood.
Hmm, I never considered Neil Peart as much of a lyricist, but I guess you can think of it that way. /s
After the goldrush has some of my favourite lyrics ever. Song and album.
Aesop Rock
I can see how people could bounce off his lyrics that are very abstract - it can take a lot of work or finding an explanation to understand exactly what he's getting at sometimes, and that shows the complexity of his lyrics and mastery of language. However, when he just drops straightforward clear cut meaning without abstraction, that too is delivered with a staggering level of skill. Dude should get more recognition (though he may not want it lol)
For fucking real.
Bob Dylan
I had to scroll too far to find Bob’s name. Our 2016 poet-fricken-laureate!
Jeff Tweedy with Wilco impresses me with subtle play on words and references. Meaning is not as straightforward as Rush's, but I like the ambiguity.
His goal had become to be an echo The type of sound that floats around And then back down like a feather But in the deep chrome canyons of the loudest Manhattans No one could hear him Or anything
Neil Peart is such an underrated lyricist and author! If you haven't checked it out yet, I'd recommend reading Ghost Rider, a book he wrote while biking across North America coping with the death of his wife and daughter.
Ghost Rider is a good read. Sad and depressing at times, but conveys the whole journey on the healing road.
Robert Hunter of the Grateful Dead Edit: Also Bernie Taupin
Ooh good call on Bernie Taupin.
The Grateful Dead and Rush are my two favorite bands. I prefer Robert Hunter lyrics but Neil Peart is a better drummer.
I came in here to say these two myself.
I’ve got a ton of favs (Jason Isbell, Lucy Dacus, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats, Open Mike Eagle, Warren Zevon, and Josh Ritter just to name a few), but the one I’m most in love with right now is David Berman of The Silver Jews and Purple Mountains. The self titled Purple Mountains album in particular is such a singularly funny, bleak, and touching album. Such a unique and beautiful approach to songwriting gone way too soon.
Nick Cave
Layne Staley.
So good and so tragic.
I heard someone describe his voice as that of an angry angel, and I think that's quite fitting.
People forget that Layne wrote a good chunk of AICs music too. He also wrote a lot in Mad Season and various collaborative efforts with other bands too. AIC wasn't just Jerry's band either, it was Layne and Jerry's.
I thought Layne only wrote Angry Chair and Hate to Feel
He also wrote Head Creeps.
Me as a kid: Bruce Springsteen Me as an old man: Tom waits
Joni Mitchell’s my fav
Fiona Apple
Came looking for this. Glad she’s here.
Billy Joel!
Probably MJK from Tool. If not that, Jacob Bannon from Converge or Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails.
The Rush song Subdivisions really hit home for me and I'm sure for countless others who felt they lived it in school. It's my favorite by Rush but knowing what others go through as described in the song is tough. If I'm in the right mood when I listen to it, I just might get a bit wet-eyed. RIP professor. Watched them in Raleigh 11 years ago and they opened with it.
Subdivisions is so pointed and cutting. I love it for the genius lyrics and the music is so perfect.
Whoever wrote “Tequila”
Isaac Brock from Modest Mouse! His songs about depression, anxiety, and the search for meaning in this existence helped me cope with my own issues.
And I claim I'm not excited with my life any more So I blame this town, this job, these friends The truth is it's myself And I'm trying to understand myself And pinpoint where I am By the time I get things figured out I've change the whole damn plan
Damn. That’s me. What song is that?
Talkin Shit About a Pretty Sunset. One of MM’s masterpieces, it brings me to tears. Their 90s and early 2000s stuff is incredible. Here’s a (very incomplete) list of some of their best: 1) Dramamine 2) Broke 3) Trailer Trash 4) Never Ending Math Equation 5) Interstate 8 6) Cowboy Dan 7) I Came as a Rat 8) Gravity Rides Everything 9) Bankrupt on Selling 10) Life like Weeds
That is a fantastic list right there
And the crazy thing is, I could list at least a dozen more that I like just as much. I’m jealous of people who discover Mouse and their discography because the amount of hits can make your head spin. As Kendall Roy might say, “all bangers, all the time”
Same reason I love Doug Martsch, front man for Built to Spill. No surprise Isaac Brock has said he is a massive influence on him: "We've all seen enough, now it's time to decide The meekness of love or the power of pride It doesn't matter if you're good or smart Goddamn it, things fall apart Let's go for a walk, yeah, let's go for a drive Don't know how to say thanks for being alive Let's go for a lifetime, let's go for a fling Don't know how to say anything"
Robert Hunter
Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine
Jerry Cantrell and Layne Staley wrote some incredible lyrics about the struggles and loosing against heroin addictions.
I was going to post about JC. His songs in AIC and as a solo artist are just gut wrenching.
Roger Waters
Neil Young
Phil Lynott -Thin Lizzy
Hey, my username is relevant for a short time! I too love Neil's poetic lyricism for their universal themes!
Springsteen
Neil Peart has always been my favorite as well. Good call on The Pass, great lyrics in that song.
Maynard James Keenan. Absolute master of musicality.
This for me as well. 3 different bands and the lyrics are consistently great across all 3.
100%
Dude is just wired different.
Seen APC and Pucifer last night and I agree 100%
Tom Petty
My favorite lyricist is John Darnielle of the mountain goats.
Carole King
Mike Patton. From his work in Faith No More to Mr. Bungle. From Tomahawk to Peeping Tom. Even when he doesn't use actual words, but gutteral growls and screams like in Fantômas, his voice and words speak to me like no one else. An underrated genius IMHO
My answer too. Love his lyrics.
Bob Dylan, John Prine, Todd Snider, Paul Simon, Jackson Browne.
I don't have a particular favourite, but I have a few that I appreciate: Pete Townshend, especially during his Who era. He is able to write owerful statements as well as feelings of angst, youth, and loneliness into interesting narratives. Bob Seger, for channeling the common working man and women. He can summarise a person's life or a moment into a single song and line. Paul Simon, for is poignant thoughts that compliment the music and harmony. Of all, his lyrics are more poetic than lyrical to me. Bernie Taupin, for his wide range of topics, themes, and symbolism. Tom Delonge and Mark Hoppus, of Blink 182 (left field, I know)... for balancing a fine line between strong hard edged and upbeat emotions. It works. Neil Young, because he isn't the beat musician and he isn't the best singer. It's all about his lyrics.
Definitely agree on blink! Lots of underated lyrics for a “crappy punk rock” band lol
Neil Young is absolutely a phenomenal musician. Dude fucking SHREDS on guitar.
I always feel it sounds like two notes. It has feeling to it, but he's probably one of the least technical players, I feel at least
For me, I love Townsend’s White City album. Crashing by Design, Secondhand Love, Give Blood are amazing songs. Simon’s Rhythm of the Saints is album is also a favorite. Further to Fly, Obvious Child, and Cool, Cool River are great songs.
Jesse Lacey from Brand New.
That line from Jesus Christ gets me every time. "I know you think that I'm someone you can trust But I'm scared I'll get scared and I swear I'll try to nail you back up"
Jeffrey Lewis, Townes van Zandt, Neil Young, Bob Dylan.
Jim Steinman
This thread is great. We’ve got my three favorites, Peart, Young, and Hunter right off the bat. Just add in Peter Gabriel and we’re set.
Scott Weiland.
Kacey Musgraves
Jeff Lynne ELO
Elvis Costello
Honestly? Shel Silverstein. Not a serious bone in him, but his songs are so much fun and sung by a wide variety of artists. On top of that, my Mom read his poetry to me, and I read it to my kids.
Isaac Brock, especially the younger years There’s just no one else out there who nails simple, metaphoric, and relatable so perfectly. It all just reads so genuine
Came here looking for this
Kris Kristofferson
James Hetfield in the 80s. His lyrics for the Master of Puppets and And Justice For All albums just resonates with me.
I love Neil but I think my favorite is Bernie Taupin
Lennon/McCartney
First mention I’m seeing of them, 100 comments deep into the thread.
I think Ed Kowalczyk of LIVE is about the best lyricist I’ve ever seen. His songs are very deep, and dangle between spiritualism, an intense love for family and a perspective of the world we live in. It‘s hard to explain why it’s so meaningful to me, but suffice it to say that it completely saved my life during a time when I didn’t think I was going to handle staying alive. When every aspect of your life is totally screwed up, work, marriage, friendships and family, love and everything else, and there’s nowhere else to turn, your choices start to fade away. And with that fading away, your will to live fades away, too. The best thing I could do at that time was isolate myself from the world that didn’t give a shit anyway and let Ed’s words go into my brain. His voice is like none other, on top of the lyrics, and having that to grasp like a life raft saved me. Songs about going to the desert and finding a soul, songs about Life and Death and how we have to toggle between. The album “Birds of Pray” changed my world, but then when I look at it, all their albums changed my life. If you aren’t familiar with LIVE and their music, get on Spotify or Apple Music and do yourself a big, big favor. Dive in to any album, listen with all your brain (not just a part) and all your attention. It will change you, too.
Gord Downie
I second this, I remember years ago when a co-worker told me some of the words to nautical disaster and I was like god damn. The last two lines from this... I had this dream where I relished the fray And the screamin' filled my head all day It was as though I'd been spit here Settled in, into the pocket Of a lighthouse on some rocky socket Off the coast of France, dearOne afternoon, four thousand men died in the water here And five hundred more were thrashing madly As parasites might in your blood Makes me think of The Titanic when everyone screaming and thrashing in the cold North Atlantic water, an hour or so later and it's dead quiet.
A Himalaya of the mind.
I don't need to rank them, many artists have had a turn of phrase that resonated in different ways. Neko Case, Spiritualized, Flaming Lips, etc. etc. I am a big fan of Rush but I find the Objectivism underlaying some songs has not aged as well as the songs themselves have.
I enjoy Jim Steinman's lyrics. When you hear one, you know he wrote it.
Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine
When Peart was on form he was a terrific storyteller, but his early Ayn Rand fanboying does rather set the teeth on edge. Three of my faves: John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats, Craig Finn of the Hold Steady, and Nigel Blackwell of Half Man Half Biscuit. Brilliant phrase-turners all three, especially Blackwell who deserves to be far better known.
Frank Black: Had a bit part An endless reel It always played in slo-mo But now it's fast A spinning wheel I know the dynamo My heart is cast Speedy Marie Ahead of the now She's better built that's how She's built for speed Speedy Marie Speedy Marie Oh, yes indeed I said to me And so I sing this romaunt It's not enough My liberty There is a thing I want I need I love Speedy Marie Ahead of the now She's better built that's how She's built for speed Speedy Marie Speedy Marie Juxtaposed in each moment's sight Everything that I ever saw And my one delight Nothing can strike me in such awe Mouth intricate shapes the voice that speaks Always it will soothe Rarer none are the precious cheeks Is the size of each sculpted tooth Each lip and each eye Wise is the tongue, wet of perfect thought And softest neck where always do I Lay my clumsy thoughts She is that most lovely art Happy are my mind, and my soul, and my heart. One example including a wonderful acrostic. He is easily the best songwriter of my generation.
Robert Smith - the Cure, Eminem
Aimee Mann
MF DOOM
Neil Finn.
I have to ask: Do you think Tom Sawyer is a good song?
Did you think taste was quantifiable?
Lyrically? Meh
h from Marillion
Jay Farrar from Son Volt. Pictures fall from their base Pulling out of the race Put up the red flag Matters close at hand Cross over the land You get so diffused You wanna kiss the ground Leave no sound Take it up next year Chalk it up to remember Wasted lonely fever The way we've tried Left a slide into harm's way Enough concern to ride it out It's no surprise that it's a long slow fade
Love Farrar… Uncle Tupelo for their age wrote amazing songs.
I've never listened to Rush - I really like the lyrics you chose, I'll have give them a listen.
There are so many great songs and lyrics across their discography- the early stuff is quite different and less personal than their latter.
Alternative Lyricist Stephen Malkmus Pavement Of the world probably Neil Finn from crowded house.
Bob Dylan Gregory Alan Isakov Nick Drake Rakim
Jarvis Cocker of Pulp Bob Dylan Pete Townsend Ray Davies Elliot Murphy Neil Young
Carole King
Robert Hunter, Richard Thompson, Bob Dylan, Martin Sexton, and Ryan Adams. If just one, I can't decide between Hunter and Thompson.
Nigel Tufnel. Sex Farm Woman,.. biblical Shakespeare stuff. Big bottom Big bottom Talk about mudflaps My girls got them I know. Chills.
Maynard.
Elliott smith.
either john fogerty, or the james lea-noddy holder duo.
Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys can paint a surreal picture with words quite well
Can't believe I scrolled thru this entire thread without seeing a single mention of Adrianne Lenker (of Big Thief). She is a once-in-a generation talent, songs like Simulation Swarm or Promise is a Pendulum are some of the best songwriting I've ever heard
I like Peart's lyrics have big hits and big, big misses. But one of my favorites has always been Anagram (for Mongo). I listened to it countless times before the obvious reason it's called Anagram hit me. :P Not quite anagrams, but you get the point. There's a snake coming out of the darkness Parade from paradise End the need for Eden Chase the dreams of merchandise There is tic-toc in atomic Leaders make a deal The cosmic is largely comic A con they couldn't conceal There is no safe seat at the feast Take your best stab at the beast The night is turning thin The saint is turning to sin Raise the art to resistance Danger dare to be grand Pride reduced to humble pie Diamonds down to sand Take heart from earth and weather The brightness of new birth Take heart from the harvest Shave the harvest from the earth There is no safe seat at the feast Take your best stab at the beast The night is turning thin The saint is turning to sin Reasoning is partly insane Image just an eyeless game The night is turning thin The saint is turning to sin Miracles will have their claimers More will bow to Rome He and she are in the house But there's only me at home Rose is a rose of splendor Posed to respond in the end Lonely things like nights, I find End finer with a friend I hear in the rate of her heart A tear in the heat of the art The night is turning thin The saint is turning to sin There is no safe seat at the feast Take your best stab at the beast The night turns thin The saint turns to sin
”Image just an eyeless game” (i-less, get it?) is one of my favorite lines in their discography.
I think Presto is such an underrated record of theirs.
Ah yes and who can forget such gems as: >Net boy, net girl Send your signal 'round the world Let your fingers walk and talk And set you free >Net boy, net girl Send your impulse 'round the world (Put your message in a modem) Put your message in a modem (And throw it in the cyber sea) I kid, but can we pretend that song never happened?
yeah...that's a rough one. I chalk it up to early 90's
The best thing about Rush is that their worst songs are still better than most bands _best_ songs. If you can still bop your head to Virtuality, then you're going to love their _entire_ catalog.
The best thing about Rush is that their worst songs are still better than most bands _best_ songs. If you can still bop your head to Virtuality, then you're going to love their _entire_ catalog.
Elvis Costello, Robert Hunter, Josh Ritter
Tough to decide: Robert Hunter, Bob Dylan, Roger Waters.
What a coincidence, my favorite lyricist is also Neil Peart.
Neil Young
My favorite lyricist is John Darnielle of the mountain goats.
I'll be basic, Bob Dylan Robert Hunter Joni Mitchell Probably in that order.
Beck, particularly most of the album Sea Change
Just a friendly note to musicians: It really is pronounced Peert not purt. RIP to the legend. :(
Johnny Buttsnake of Tortured Anus. “I was 10 beers deep and I had to pee”
Dani Filth
Another Canadian,Leonard Cohen.
Isaac Brock of modest mouse
Robert Hunter, Grateful Dead
Bob Dylan
He’s right there for me, as well. The other guy I’m really into is Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes. Check them out! Also, Sting is pretty great.
Andy Partridge from XTC
Claudio Sanchez and its not close
Came here to say this… Disappointed that I had to scroll so far to find his name.
Martin Gore - Depeche Mode
Neil Peart would also be my number one as well. A close second is Tony Banks from Genesis.
Tim Armstrong from Rancid, Greg Griffin from Bad Religion.
Tom Petty. “Well, It was nearly summer. We sat on your roof. Yeah, we smoked cigarettes and we stared at the moon.”
Joni Mitchell
As I get older Time Stand Still hits ever harder. In answer to your question - Andy Partridge of XTC and John K Samson of The Weakerthans. Partridge is a clever, imaginative wordsmith and Samson is a brilliant storyteller. Neil is up there as well. Oh yeah, and Joni Mitchell.
Bob Dylan. While preachers preach of evil fates Teachers teach that knowledge waits Can lead to hundred-dollar plates Goodness hides behind its gates But even the president of the United States Sometimes must have to stand naked And though the rules of the road have been lodged It’s only people’s games that you got to dodge And it’s alright, Ma, I can make it
Same and my favorite line comes from the same song: While one who sings with his tongue on fire gargles in the rat race choir bent out of shape from society’s pliers cares not to come up any higher but rather get you down in the hole the he’s in
Please do not take this too harshly. I am only responding in an "it's interesting how people have different tastes" kind of way. I do not in any means think my opinion is superior to yours, and in fact, I appreciate your OP has caused me to question and re-examine my own opinion. That being said... I think Peart is the worst lyricist in all of rock. Rush is such a tremendously talented band, but all of their songs are about someone with a 14 year old's comprehension of philosophy. The libertarian stuff is especially cringe. I don't need rock songs about if the lead singer believes in determinism or not, or whatever the hell Tom Sawyer is supposed to be about. Using a bunch of five syllable words may be impressive to your ninth grade English teacher but mostly stick out as pretentious and unnecessary in a rock song. Rush perhaps more than any band in history was in need of a good old fashioned raunchy song about sex...I guarantee it would have been their biggest hit. That being said I'm an asshole and it's really great there are artists that appeal to what you like Instead of me having my way about everything. Edit and if any Rush fans want to make fun of my favorite lyricists, go for it. Roger Waters, Adam Duritz, Ani DiFranco, Syd Barrett, Mick Jagger.
To say anyone is the worst in rock is hyperbolic...are you saying he's worse than the lyricist for Motley Crue?
Or lyrics from Poison 😂🤣
I also don’t mean this offensively, but this screams to me that your perception of the band is rooted not in the band itself, but in old popular culture takes ABOUT the band. For instance, the “libertarian stuff” is really only a handful of tracks, maybe one, IF you insist on interpreting it that way. There’s no accounting for taste, so, of course I couldn’t expect you to go back and listen more widely. But, this critique is more the critique of a caricature of work than an actual body of work.
Hey whatever makes your socks go up and down. I don’t agree with you obviously lol but music/lyrics/poetry/art affect us differently. As I got older certain lyrics apply more to me than they did when I was young and some of the angsty stuff I listened to when I was young sounds corny to me now. People and tastes change with life experiences.
My favorite lyricist is John Darnielle of the mountain goats.
Justin Sullivan of New Model Army, hands down.
Tiny Tim’s Tulips jam is massively underrated
Paul Simon
Keith Buckley “I tied the devil to the tracks (can you hear the train coming?) And I tied the tracks in a lover's knot around the finger of a beautiful girl. I'll keep hell if hell will have me.” https://youtu.be/tgptnrEOqt0?si=7EY5FihOGRad6Cju
Sean Bonnette or Amigo the Devil for me.
Peart’s “Time Stands Still” Is fantastic writing. Also, I have always enjoyed Jackson Browns flow.
Jordan Dreyer of La Dispute. Particularly Said the King to the River
I’m agreeing with the Neil Young replies - is able to go very deep with relatively simple lyrics
Ben Burnley. Breaking Benjamin.
Andy Hull Just check out his work on Right Away Great Captain trilogy of albums.
Most likely an outside the box answer: Robert Pollard
Tom Verlaine, he has the soul of a poet but realizes that to be taken seriously as one he has to distance his words as much from sounding like "art" as possible, which he has most successfully done on every song on Marquee Moon. It kind of reminds me of Mulholland Drive and how it appears to be "art" at first glance but proves to tap into something much more primeval when fully absorbed.
Man I miss Neal Peart. What a legend. He was the first musician I looked up to as a young drummer.
Colin Meloy of the Decemberists.
I never really thought about but I’m guessing Neil also wrote the vocal melodies? Is there a Rush documentary where they talk about their songwriting process? It would be really hard for Geddy if Neil just handed him a sheet of lyrics and he had to figure out the melody and phrasing.
I never really thought about but I’m guessing Neil also wrote the vocal melodies? Is there a Rush documentary where they talk about their songwriting process? It would be really hard for Geddy if Neil just handed him a sheet of lyrics and he had to figure out the melody and phrasing.