Who are your favorite songwriters, and why?
I saw my favorite songwriter in concert last night. Jackson Browne.
Here are some of the things I love about him.
1. He uses light and dark as metaphors.
He does it in almost every song. There’s almost always a reference to light, day, dawn, night, dark. One of my favorite verses, from “Late For The Sky:”
–
How long have I been sleeping?
How long have I been drifting alone through the night?
How long have I been running for that morning flight
Through the whispered promises and the changing light
Of the bed where we both lie
Late for the sky
–
2. He can be funny.
I’m a sucker for funny. Especially when it’s serious at the same time. In the 80s, when he came out with “Lawyers in Love,” he got a lot of flack for it. He writes about suicide and death and etc, how can he write something funny?
One of my favorite songs by him is a recent one called “The Naked Ride Home.”
–
Just take off your clothes and I’ll drive you home, I said
Knowing she never could pass on a dare
And knowing it sounded more desperate than reckless or bold
I just put it out there cold, too far gone to care
My eyes on the road, she slid herself down in the seat
And a vision of paradise swung into view
Across those five lanes not one driver glanced over to see
The beauty known only to me, and a big rig or two
–
When he played this song last night, he introduced it as the saddest song he knew. I’m assuming he was joking, but it is actually rather sad. The chorus:
–
On that freeway the light was receding
Her beauty, a sight so misleading
I failed to hear the heart that was beating alone
On the naked ride home
–
3. He sings about time.
Time, time, time. It’s all life is. Time. I’m sort of obsessed with time and how fleeting it is. He sings about a lot.
–
“Time the Conqueror”
Time may heal all wounds
But time will steal you blind
Time the wheel, time the conqueror
–
–
“Anything Can Happen”
Time will come when we know what happened here
Change will come in time and make it clear
We learn one thing if we learn at all
In the secret wars we call our lives
Anything can happen
–
4. He sings about hope.
On the way home from the show last night, I told my husband I almost started crying when Jackson did “For A Dancer.” I said it to make my husband laugh, which it did, but it was also true. I’ve seen him do that song before and it never hit me so hard. It’s about a friend of his who died. It amazes me that he can take a subject like death and make such a hopeful song out of it.
–
Keep a fire for the human race
Let your prayers go drifting into space
You never know what will be coming down
Perhaps a better world is drawing near
And just as easily it could all disappear
Along with whatever meaning you might have found
Don’t let the uncertainty turn you around
Go on and make a joyful sound
–
So who is your favorite songwriter?
[...] It was a great night. See here for a post I did on Kulturblog about JB’s [...]
Pingback by strangepulse.com » Blog Archive » An evening with Jackson Browne. — August 13, 2009 @ 10:21 am
Neil Finn. No question, not even close.
Comment by gabby — August 13, 2009 @ 11:32 am
Hard to beat Bob Dylan, I think.
Comment by Brian G — August 13, 2009 @ 12:06 pm
Dylan, Bono (I dig his obscurity so as to be open to lots of meanings), Pink Floyd, and I just dig the old classic blues. Some stuff never can be topped.
Comment by Clark — August 13, 2009 @ 12:13 pm
My picks: Dylan, Lennon, Cat Stevens, Woody Gutherie, Dee Dee Ramone, Leonard Cohen and Jack White. I like straight forward writers who aren’t afraid to speak the truth, speak their mind. They aren’t worried about writing a hit single. They aren’t looking to impress.
Comment by Rose Tyler — August 13, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
These are some great lyrics. I especially like “The Naked Ride Home.” I’ve always thought that JB is a poet as much as a songwriter. I also feel that way about Death Cab For Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard. I agree that Neil Finn is also up there in terms of great songwriters. I have always liked James Taylor and Bono for different reasons, but lately Dan Layus of Augustana, Kevin Griffin of Better than Ezra and Alex Dezen of The Damnwells have impressed me. They all seem to have very thoughtful and wonderful turns of phrase in their lyrics.
Comment by MCQ — August 13, 2009 @ 1:23 pm
I do really like poetic lyrics. Other good poetic songwriters are Gillian Welch and Patty Griffin.
And Bob Dylan is a given, guys.
Comment by Susan M — August 13, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
To me, Paul Simon will always be the world’s greatest and most accomplished songwriter.
I think Conor Oberst is starting to rise into these heights as well. More than anyone else, those two can put words together in a way that makes me stop and wish I’d figured out how to see a thing in that way long ago.
Comment by Ryan Bell — August 13, 2009 @ 3:10 pm
I don’t get in to lyrics too much so the people who I consider my favorite songwriters are the ones that craft music that has what I’m looking for. I hardly ever know what Radiohead is talking about, but I like the structure, dynamics, and sonic texture of their music. I wouldn’t say that Thom Yorke is my favorite songwriter, but Radiohead collectively makes some of my favorite songs. You could switch out the lyrics completely and I’d still love the songs. Likewise, Jeff Tweedy’s lyrics are a bit of a mixed bag for me, but Wilco in its various incarnations is a collaborative music making powerhouse that has made a lot of my favorite songs. I’m more attached to some Tweedy lyrics than I am to Yorke lyrics, but it’s the overall music that gets me more than the words.
As for individual lyrics writers, one that comes immediately to mind is Elliott Smith. When I think about it I don’t usually like what he’s saying all that much—he’s a bit maudlin and dark for me—but he’s really affecting nonetheless. Plus his phrasing is always perfect and he crafts amazingly beautiful pop music.
For poetic stuff that I don’t understand but sticks with me anyways, I like Joanna Newsom. She has these awesome turns of phrase that are just tons of fun to say and get stuck in your head. Her lyrics are kind of over-the-top baroque and wordy in a way that reminds me of some Dylan stuff.
I also like Colin Meloy’s (Decemberists) wordiness.
Sufjan Stevens is another fave.
Comment by Tom — August 13, 2009 @ 3:45 pm
I love Leonard Cohen, his imagery is fantastic.
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
John Prine is nearly unrivaled.
I am an old woman named after my mother
My old man is another child that’s grown old
If dreams were lightning thunder was desire
This old house would have burnt down a long time ago
Of course Bob Dylan goes without saying.
Far between sundown’s finish an’ midnight’s broken toll
We ducked inside the doorway, thunder crashing
As majestic bells of bolts struck shadows in the sounds
Seeming to be the chimes of freedom flashing
Flashing for the warriors whose strength is not to fight
Flashing for the refugees on the unarmed road of flight
An’ for each an’ ev’ry underdog soldier in the night
An’ we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing.
Townes Van Zandt is the other one that rivals Bob Dylan for the top spot.
Others include Woody Guthrie, Steve Earle and Justin Townes Earle.
Comment by Ian Cook — August 13, 2009 @ 4:01 pm
I liked Leonard Cohen even though a lot of friends didn’t. But I think Hallelujah used in the Watchmen scarred me for life.
BTW – I agree that being a song writer isn’t just about the words its how the words mesh with the music.
I should add in Thelonius Monk and Miles Davis. No words but fantastic arrangements.
Comment by Clark — August 13, 2009 @ 4:25 pm
Ooooh, completely off-topic, but MCQ we’re finally (FINALLY!) going to see BTE for the first time in October. Yay!
Comment by gabby — August 13, 2009 @ 4:46 pm
You have my envy. I hope you get to see them in New Orleans, but any show of theirs is well worth your time and money.
Kevin is the only guy I know who can write a love song with this lyric:
Well I wish I could kill you, savor the sight
Get into my car, drive into the night
Then lie as I scream to the heavens above
That I was the last one you ever loved
and still make it sound beautiful.
Comment by MCQ — August 13, 2009 @ 6:00 pm
Carole King
and Josh Ritter
Comment by C Jones — August 13, 2009 @ 6:13 pm
Not New Orleans, but since it’s my first with them, I’m happy none-the-less!
And Porcelain is one of the BEST songs.
Comment by gabby — August 13, 2009 @ 6:21 pm
Make sure they play it! It’s even better live.
Comment by MCQ — August 13, 2009 @ 6:42 pm
Peter Gabriel, Jack White and Paul Simon are my favorite songwriters.
Comment by jjohnsen — August 13, 2009 @ 7:40 pm
How about Isaac Brock from Modest Mouse. Now there are some funky lyrics.
Two one eyed dogs, they’re looking at stereos
Hi-fi Gods try so hard to make their cars low to the ground
These vibrations oil its teeth
Primer gray is the color when you’re done dying
I’m trying to drink away the part of the day
That I cannot sleep away
They have some language though. Personally I like Pickin’ on Modest Mouse, a blugrass tribute album.
Comment by Ian Cook — August 13, 2009 @ 8:01 pm
I really dig Paul Simon too. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Feet and Sound of Silence.
Comment by Clark — August 13, 2009 @ 8:31 pm
Call me old fashioned, but Jimmy Webb is still one of my favorites, both for the lyrics and the gorgeous melodies. He often gets maligned for the surreal line “someone left the cake out int he rain,” but as a lyricist, he really can be sublime. Who else could have penned the opening phrase “If they ever dropped The Bomb, you said, I’ll find you in the flames. But now we act like people who don’t know each other’s names.” Or consider his song “Shattered:”
Regarding Paul Simon. I still can’t get over the brilliance of his lyrics to “The Boy in the Bubble:”
Comment by Steven B — August 13, 2009 @ 9:19 pm
Clark I think you mean Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes.
Here’s my favorite part of that song:
She was physically forgotten
Then she slipped into my pocket
With my car keys
She said you’ve taken me for granted
Because I please you
Wearing these diamonds
And I could say Oo oo oo
As if everybody knows
What I’m talking about
As if everybody would know
Exactly what I was talking about
Talking about diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Steven, that’s my favorite Paul Simon song of all time and it’s freaking brilliant.
Another of my favorites recently is Paul Noonan of Bell X1:
He wondered how close he’d ever been to her in this ebb and flow of the distance between us
Maybe she got the same bus
He left a trail of string wherever he went, when he was sleeping he tied it to his toe
If she crossed it then he’d know
But he knew that all was unraveling
And he was bare, stripped of his skin
Like the ribs of a broken umbrella Sticking out of a bin
Comment by MCQ — August 14, 2009 @ 12:13 am
Paul Simon and John Lennon are my favorite songwriters.
I’m so glad that there are so many lovers of “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes.” That is one of my favorite songs ever from one of my favorite albums ever – I had no idea people here were that into Paul Simon.
There are so many amazing lyrics on that album. One of my favorites is on the song “Graceland”:
That lyric comes across to me as so true, so plaintive, so beautiful and so devastating – all at once.
[side note- I also think that Paul Simon's wife, Edie Brickell, is ridiculously talented. Some of her songs are just amazing, amazing songs.]
After reading the lyrics to “The Naked Ride Home” that Susan put up there – I have to take my hat off to Jackson Browne. I’m going to have to give him another look. I’ve always respected the “Running on Empty” album which is on my list of perfect albums – but I think I’m just going to have to re-look at his whole catalog.
There are so many wonderful songwriters out there. I hate not trying to mention a whole bunch of them. But I’ll just leave it at that.
Comment by danithew — August 14, 2009 @ 5:20 am
Paul Simon’s Graceland is perhaps one of my favorite albums of all time. It’s too bad that practically nothing else he has done comes close to it’s brilliance. Part of the reason the album is so good is because of the African influence on much of the album.
Another of my favorite artists is Louden Wainwright III, Dead Skunk is one of my favorite songs. Wainwright is good for humor and for deep insite into relationships and life.
Comment by Ian Cook — August 14, 2009 @ 6:54 am
In regards to Jackson Browne, my favorite songs would be a toss-up between “The Load Out/Stay” and “Love Needs A Heart.”
Comment by danithew — August 14, 2009 @ 7:36 am
I think Graceland is great, but Rhythm of the Saints is his greatest. The lyrics on that album are uniformly excellent, and once you let the music grow on you, I’ve never found any album that remains as re-listenable as that one.
Comment by Ryan Bell — August 14, 2009 @ 8:53 am
Some great lyrics posted here. Keep ‘em coming.
Glad to see someone mention Josh Ritter. First time I saw him live, he was opening for the Frames, and the radio DJ who introduced his set invoked Dylan. I shook my head, thinking, No, you just don’t do that. But since I’ve gotten to know Josh’s stuff I understand why she did.
Check out his song, “Thin Blue Flame.” The lyrics are really long but worth reading.
Listen to it here.
Comment by Susan M — August 14, 2009 @ 9:27 am
I agree with Ryan on Simon. Rhythm of the Saints was as good as Graceland, and there are other gems in his catalogue too.
Susan, I have to second your approval of Josh Ritter.
Comment by MCQ — August 14, 2009 @ 10:56 am
Two that haven’t been said: Tom Petty and Bob Marley.
Petty comes across as enjoying his songwriting in a way most artists don’t—he’s witty and pokes fun at his subject. For example, I love how the line from Free Fallin’ subtly disses the boyfriend:
“She’s a good girl,
Crazy bout Elvis,
Loves horses,
And her boyfriend too.”
Bob Marley had soul to spare. Consider Stir It Up, Redemption Song, No Woman No Cry, etc.
Comment by BrianJ — August 14, 2009 @ 1:21 pm
“Redemption Song” is one of the best songs ever written, IMO.
I always took that line from that Petty song as a dig at the girl, not the guy.
Comment by Susan M — August 14, 2009 @ 1:35 pm
Lots of folks I like a lot, but Neil Young is my #1 favorite.
Comment by Brian V — August 14, 2009 @ 1:39 pm
Susan: I think the line shows the boyfriend’s placement. The girl “loves horses, and her boyfriend too.” The boyfriend comes as almost an afterthought: she will always love horses—it’s who she is—but her boyfriend…?
Comment by BrianJ — August 14, 2009 @ 1:46 pm
Has anyone mentioned Dave Mathews?
Satellite in my eyes
Like a diamond in the sky
How I wonder.
Satellite strung from the moon
And the world your balloon
Peeping tom for the mother station
Winters cold spring erases
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Everything good needs replacing
Look up, look down all around, hey satellite
Satellite, headlines read
Someones secrets youve seen
Eyes and ears have been
Satellite dish in my yard
Tell me more, tell me more
Who’s the king of your satellite castle?
Winter’s cold spring erases
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Everything good needs replacing
Look up, look down all around, hey satellite
Rest high above the clouds no resrictions
Television we bounce round the world
And while I spend these hours
Five senses reeling,
I laugh about the weatherman’s satellite eyes.
Satellite in my eyes
Like a diamond in the sky
How I wonder.
Comment by MCQ — August 14, 2009 @ 2:18 pm
I only like Simon if it comes with a Garfunkle. And speaking of Wainwrights, Rufus is very talented songwriter. Tom Petty is a favorite too. I think Last Dance with Mary Jane is my favorite Petty song.
Comment by Rose Tyler — August 14, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
MCQ: Dave Matthews Band, for me, is slightly less preferable—but very much like—being eaten alive by ants. I don’t know why, and I don’t begrudge anyone else of their fondness for the group, but there it is.
Rose: Last Dance with Mary Jane is great.
Comment by BrianJ — August 14, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
Speaking of Dave Matthews and ants, “Ants Marching” is probably my favorite lyric by him:
Actually, #41 is my favorite song of theirs and one of my all-time favorite songs, as well. BrianJ, I’m not too into Dave’s studio stuff, but live I think they’re phenomenal. Their live album, Listener Supported, is up there with my fave live albums of all time.
Comment by Susan M — August 14, 2009 @ 5:38 pm
Of course if you want the mecca of songwriting you need only turn to The Traveling Wilburys. Handle With Care, anyone? Oh and Jeff Lynn thank you for Mr. Blue Sky.
Comment by Rose Tyler — August 14, 2009 @ 6:53 pm
For old stuff, even though I’m a guy, Joni Mitchell gets a nod from me–Blue is another perfect album, just like Blood on the Tracks, the best Dylan. Also Laura Nyro–can you beat Stoned Soul Picnic? Does anybody listen to Harry Chapin anymore? So earnest…
The frequently mentioned Jackson Browne, Leonard Cohen, and Paul Simon (with Garfunkel and without) are mentioned frequently for a reason. Warren Zevon should probably get a nod in there too.
I’m about as country as sushi, but Kris Kristofferson, Lucinda Williams, and Willie Nelson have spots on my iPod.
For more modern things, Liz Phair (not to be played with your mom in the car), Sufjan Stephens, James Mercer (of the Shins), Mark Kozelek (of Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon), and Samuel Bean (of Iron and Wine). Lots of really good stuff.
Comment by JFD — August 14, 2009 @ 7:14 pm
Another vote for Neil Finn, a vote for Aimee Mann, and I am a fan of the clever, clever lyric so the folks at Barenaked Ladies and Fountains of Wayne get my appreciation.
Comment by John C. — August 14, 2009 @ 8:12 pm
also, Jonathan Coulton, for similar, clever reasons
Comment by John C. — August 14, 2009 @ 8:13 pm
Barenaked Ladies are masters of serious-but-funny at the same time lyrics. I think their song “When I Fall” is one of the best songs ever written, actually. It’s about a window washer who is afraid of heights.
Mark Kozelek blows me away sometimes. The song “Carry Me Ohio” can bring me close to tears.
Comment by Susan M — August 14, 2009 @ 8:20 pm
Yay! John! I was starting to feel a little lonely…
Comment by gabby — August 14, 2009 @ 8:47 pm
Susan, that’s one of the songs I had in mind (and that lyric in particular).
gabby,
Do I lie like a loungeroom lizard
Or do I sing like a bird released
Comment by John C. — August 14, 2009 @ 8:54 pm
Barenaked Ladies. Yes.
Comment by BrianJ — August 14, 2009 @ 9:16 pm
LOL. Speaking of Barenaked Ladies have you heard their children’s album they did? They have this version of the ABC song where every word they pick is “odd.” (Like “p is for pneumonia”) Great song. Then there’s this fantastic song about a boy who gets a handmedown coat from his older sister.
Even if you don’t have young kids it’s an album worth picking up.
Comment by Clark — August 14, 2009 @ 9:45 pm
Clark – that’s one of our favorite kid albums.
John – The whole of the Distant Sun lyrics are my favorite (but especially:
Still so young to travel so far
Old enough to know who you are
Wise enough to carry the scars
Without any blame, theres no one to blame.
and:
And Im lying on a table
Washed out in a flood
Like a christian fearing vengeance from above
I dont pretend to know what you want
But I offer love)
Or Into Temptation.
Or his Try Whistling This album nearly as a whole…
Comment by gabby — August 14, 2009 @ 10:00 pm
Though I enjoy The Barenaked Ladies, They Might be Giants conquered that genre long ago. Flood is brilliant album. Nevermind the fact that they’re just two guys named John.
Comment by Rose Tyler — August 14, 2009 @ 10:03 pm
“Triangle Man hates Person Man, they get in fight, Triangle wins” So profound.
Comment by Rose Tyler — August 14, 2009 @ 10:08 pm
A few of runners-up to Neil Young for me:
1. Carole King & Gerry Goffin
2. Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
3. Jerry Lieber & Mike Stoller
4. Jimmy Webb
5. Chuck Berry
6. Paul McCartney
7. Brian Wilson
Comment by Brian V — August 15, 2009 @ 5:21 am
Rose,
I love TMBG.
Now it’s over,
I’m dead and I haven’t done anything that I want
Or
I’m still alive and there’s nothing I want to do.
Comment by John C. — August 15, 2009 @ 5:58 am
TMBG is one of my favorites as well. They have a weird way of writing though. Usually, they have music and then put lyrics to them regardless of whether they make since or not. This is especially true with their earlier stuff.
I’m going down to Cowtown
The cow’s a friend to me
Lives beneath the ocean and that’s where I will be
Beneath the waves, the waves
And that’s where I will be
I’m gonna see the cow beneath the sea
The yellow Roosevelt Avenue leaf overturned
The ardor of arboreality is an adventure we have spurned, we’ve spurned
A new leaf overturned
It’s a new leaf overturned
And so I’m going down to Cowtown
The cow’s a friend to me
Lives beneath the ocean and that’s where I will be
Beneath the waves, the waves
And that’s where I will be
I’m gonna see the cow beneath the sea
Comment by Ian Cook — August 15, 2009 @ 6:29 am
Another vote for Kozelek. “Grace Cathedral Park” just puts me in a trance.
Also Joni Mitchell. I don’t enjoy her singing all that much—I think I prefer every cover version I’ve heard of her stuff over her original versions (Sarah McLachlan doing “Blue” and Tori Amos doing “A Case of You” are both awesome)—but her songs are great.
And I can’t believe I didn’t think of these classics: Roy Orbison and especially the King of Pop Songwriting Burt Bacharach. Such awesome tunes.
One that I think I would really like if I heard more of his stuff is Randy Newman.
Comment by Tom — August 15, 2009 @ 6:49 am
I still remember the first time and place I heard “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out.” I was thinking to myself that the arrangement of guitar and other sounds was beautiful and soothing – and then I started paying attention to the lyrics and thought it was one of the most unusual contrasts between music and lyrics that I had ever heard.
The whole “The Queen Is Dead” album is that way – as is the rest of the Smiths output.
I don’t go much for Morrissey’s solo work – but I think in regards to great songwriters, he should be mentioned.
One other deserving songwriter, who I don’t think has been mentioned, is Sting. Whether with the Police or on his own, he crafts great songs with some very interesting and original lyrics. I love songs like “Synchronicity II” and “Walking In Your Footsteps.”
It’s always helpful if you can get the sense that a songwriter has read a book in his life.
Comment by danithew — August 15, 2009 @ 7:34 am
Daniel Johnston.
Comment by C Jones — August 15, 2009 @ 8:52 am
Ooooh! Speaking of literate songwriters. Lloyd Cole. Absolutely brilliant.
Comment by gabby — August 15, 2009 @ 10:00 am
Another good one for funny lyrics is Lyle Lovett. I love that man.
Comment by Susan M — August 15, 2009 @ 10:07 am
Here’s my current favorite Jonathan Coulton song, which is clever and sad and universal and about a giant squid.
Comment by John C. — August 15, 2009 @ 3:16 pm