Who do you think is the greatest singer/songwriter of all time, any genre (it has to be both.....people like Beethoven don't count. His wife didn't even let him sing in their tub)?
I vote John Lennon. Of course, I vote John Lennon for most everything. I know, get a life Gordon.
Posted: Sep 5, 07 7:11am
John Lennon of course. Imagine would be my vote for song, but Lennon was the words and music of an era.
Posted: Sep 16, 07 3:00pm
Of course you're right about Lennon, but I think the Beatles were greater than the sum of their parts, and nothing Lennon did subsequently was anywhere near as good.
Posted: Nov 7, 07 11:21am
We didn't forget U-2 right? Or Billy Joel and although I'm not a country fan per se, I think Loretta Lynn's lyrics are hysterical "you ain't woman enough to take my man?" CLASSIC!
Posted: Sep 5, 07 7:34am
Yeah, this is kind of a loaded question because the way you're phrasing it assumes that you cannot include any Lennon-McCartney works, only Lennon solo works, and quite frankly, I think his stuff, sans Paul was quite weak.
But I'm also biased because I was a George fan :)
Having said that, I think that the following people, who sing their own songs, absolutely rock:
Leonard Cohen
David Gray
Bob Dylan
Tom Waits
Bruce Springsteen
John Denver
Jackson Browne
Posted: Sep 5, 07 9:30am
You make a great point, willmize. When I think of great songs like In My Life and Nowhere Man, I see those as Lennon songs.
My second choice---Joni Mitchell
Posted: Sep 14, 07 9:29am
this is a great list, will. i would add kurt cobain.
Posted: Dec 16, 07 4:21pm
I agree with most of your picks (John Denver is the main exception), but remind who David Gray was? And how about some women, like Joan Baez etc.?
Posted: Sep 5, 07 10:25am
I am going to have to vote for Prince. His "Purple Rain" album was an absolute tour-de-force, musically and lyrically. Whenever any of those songs come on the radio I just have to crank it up and start singing along.
And even though his personal life is a mess, I would also have to throw in Michael Jackson. He had two great albums, "Off the Wall" and "Thriller". I mean come on, even my Dad bought a copy of Thriller.
Posted: Sep 6, 07 2:33am
Prince! How could I forget him! I'm collecting his CD's now and getting back in touch with my purple self. Good call!
Posted: Sep 5, 07 11:16am
Randy Newman. Tom Petty and Neil Young are tops as well
John Prine is also one of my favorites. His singing is less than stellar but that works for me because I can sing along. Also Greg Brown.
Bruce Springsteen and Chuck Berry are amazing at taking any written thing, even prose, and making a decent song out of it.
Posted: Sep 5, 07 11:35am
I second Randy Newman, and love a lot of John Lennon's songs but without Lennon/McCartney, he doesn't quite make the list.
I would add Paul Simon and Jesse Winchester. I'm not a big country fan, but Willie Nelson and Hank Williams are both pretty damn good.
Posted: Sep 25, 07 1:14pm
* includes a playlist
Jesse,
I tried, but I don't know what's WITH these people. No one else has mentioned you! Oh well, they don't know what they are missing. At least your first two albums - which are still my favorites (although Gentleman of Leisure has some wonderful songs, too) - are back in print, so there is hope yet.
Your loyal fan,
Brian
Album: The Best of Jesse Winchester
Genre: ROCK
Release Date: 1989-01
Sounds like: Neil Young, The Amazing Rhythm Aces, The Band, John Prine
Influenced by: Bob Dylan
Album: Jesse Winchester
Genre: ROCK
Release Date: 1970-01
Sounds like: Neil Young, The Amazing Rhythm Aces, The Band, John Prine
Influenced by: Bob Dylan
Posted: Sep 5, 07 2:56pm
I'm going to put in a vote for Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, who has also gone on to a long solo career.
I second the votes for Paul Simon and Randy Newman.
Posted: Sep 7, 07 6:28pm
Mark Knopfler, absolutely! He is one of the best!
Posted: Sep 16, 07 4:42pm
Mark Knopfler!...one of my heroes. I think that his early lyrics were spectacular (Romeo and Juliet), but as he began to mature, his musicianship went far beyond his lyrical ability.
I think you're right about the Beatles...but when I look back at some of their music, well....for example, "I'd rather see you dead little girl, than to see you with another man....you'd better run for your life if you can, little girl...catch you with another man, that's the end, little girl. Don't know why I didn't catch that when it came out.
Posted: Sep 5, 07 5:28pm
Don't forget one of the top songwriters of yesteryear. His name was David. Nowadays, they call his songs Psalms. Speaking of nowadays, the Phillies could use a pitcher with his accurate arm.
Posted: Mar 26, 08 12:02pm
The ability for an artist to explore such a range of topics, emotions and thoughts hasn't been met since then.
Posted: Sep 5, 07 9:18pm
* includes photos
Stevie Wonder, come now folks!!
Musical Genius
Posted: Sep 6, 07 1:10pm
I thought of Stevie late last night. I agree
Posted: Sep 8, 07 1:30pm
Gee, I thought he was on my list. oops!
Posted: Sep 24, 07 12:20pm
Yeah, Little Steveland Wonder has got to be in the top 10.
John Mellencamp would have to make my list too.
Joni Mitchell.
The Boss- Springstein
Paul Simon
Bob Dylan
John Lennon for you,Gordon
George Harrison
Elvis Costello
How can you pick a BEST????
Posted: Nov 23, 07 3:44am
I vote for Roberta Flack and Marvin Gaye. The greatest writing team ever were Holland-Dozier-Holland who wrote all the Motown hits.
Posted: Sep 6, 07 3:52am
So many good choices here. I like cash's pick.
What about Paul Simon?
Posted: Sep 6, 07 7:58am
All of the above
Posted: Sep 6, 07 8:12am
That's cheating :-)
Posted: Sep 7, 07 5:12pm
" TaliaHoffman
Posted: Sep 6, 07 8:12am
That's cheating :-)
OK OK OH-My Boyhood favorite was Buddy Holly so he's my pick.Actually saw him preform once in 1958 as a teen.
Posted: Sep 6, 07 1:35pm
* includes a playlist * includes photos
How about Johnny Cash?
Album: Cash Sings Cash
Genre: COUNTRY
Release Date: 2004-02
Sounds like: Chris Isaak, Jerry Lee Lewis, Warren Smith, George Jones
Influenced by: Ernest Tubb, The Carter Family, Tex Ritter, Hank Williams
Posted: Sep 12, 07 7:16pm
Well, you have really hit on a great one here.
We would all be Men in Black with Johnnie if we could.
Above comments are also really good:
Knoffler, Paul Simon, Little Stevie Wonder
But hey
let's add women
Joni Mitchell
kd lang
jonatha brooke
let's add to the list of women, it's not just John and Paul and some guys
Posted: Dec 16, 07 4:29pm
Johnny Cash
John Hartford
Dolly Parton
EmmyLou Harris
Ricky Skaggs
Bill Monroe
and many of the others already mentioned
Posted: Sep 6, 07 1:41pm
john lennon, leonard cohen, bob dylan and bruce springsteen, absolutely.
also have to add:
richard thompson
lucinda williams
joe jackson
elvis costello
Posted: Sep 7, 07 11:09am
Costello -- totally. Dylan -- amazing catalogue. Carol King. Joni Mitchell. And I hate myself for saying this, given what he's become: Sting! I mean in the Police days, not in the Middle Aged Softie days. No really -- Roxanne, Message in a Bottle, Every Little Thing She Does...almost every song on that first Police album was a gem. Okay, now I feel I have to restore my credibility: love the quirkiness of Lucinda Williams and Richard Thompson (plus he's a monster guitar player).
Posted: Sep 8, 07 1:31pm
Oh yeah! Elvis Costello. I must have been in a hurry when I wrote my list... Well, come to think of it, how about Van Morrison?
Posted: Sep 6, 07 4:04pm
I would agree with Lennon and McCartney, no doubt. What about the oldies -- Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer, for example.
Posted: Sep 6, 07 4:16pm
We're really light on women, so I have to add Joni Mitchell, Judi Collins, and Carole King
All greats
Posted: Sep 8, 07 1:32pm
Hoagy Carmichael wrote about 3 of the best ever songs, granted - but after that? It falls off pretty quick.
Posted: Sep 6, 07 5:35pm
My two cents worth is:
Johnny Cash - just totally irreplaceable and MISSED!
James Taylor - timeless, just timeless
Eric Clapton - stirs my soul in so many ways
Lucinda Williams - down to earth and fabulous
Sheryl Crow - astonishing and an icon
Diane Warren - creates magic with words and notes
Posted: Sep 6, 07 5:38pm
oh...
did I mention the group Queen? They're all out of this world. Just loaded with talent!
Posted: Sep 7, 07 9:21am
Queen? Then what about The Village People?
Posted: Sep 7, 07 12:19pm
* includes photos
I've been lurking for days now and I can't believe no one has mentioned Sir Elton John! or Billy Joel!
Elton
Billy
Posted: Sep 10, 07 6:46pm
OMG! Does Elton have thunder thighs in that pic?
Posted: Sep 12, 07 5:29pm
Thunder thighs and a duck ass!
Posted: Sep 7, 07 6:37pm
Here are a few of my fav's........
Van Morrison
Dianna Krall
Keb 'Mo
Paul McCartney
Dave Matthews
John Mayer
Sarah McLachlan
Aimee Mann
Kurt Cobain
Don Henley
.........Just to name a few.