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Post by talulad on Jun 14, 2005 10:59:22 GMT -5
I thought we could all vote here for who we think is the best lyricist of our generation (or any generation, really). Obviously Tori is in the running, but I'll tell you right now that my pick will be Fiona Apple. Her way with words is unique and the perfect mix of playful, insightful, and just plain good. But that's not even it, what really gets me about her is the way she just seems to make every single lyric meaningful and yet she almost never goes into the trite. Lyrics like "What would an angel say, the devil wants to know" and "When I think of it, my fingers turn to fists," just amaze me with how perfectly she sums up something conceptually complex and emotionally powerful. And then lines like "I got a lot to lose and I'm bettin hard so I'm beggin you" just flow so well, they're good both poetically and sonically. And she almost never goes into ridiculous obscurity, either (I love you Tori, but "Cracker jacks in the tidal wave"? Come on. I know you can do better) Anyone else agree? Anyone else have a different pick? I know you all have opinions on this.  |
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Post by Chels on Jun 14, 2005 12:34:16 GMT -5
Other then Tori... who IS best to me...
Alanis... (she's not much for imagery but her anger is great)
Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional...
Kurt Kobain...
and Vanessa Carlton
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Post by Mary on Jun 14, 2005 13:09:15 GMT -5
I would probably have a huge list with Tori on it, of course.
Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Neil Finn, Leonard Cohen... tons more. Fiona, too. It would be hard to pick just one.
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Post by ♪Carly♪ on Jun 14, 2005 14:33:34 GMT -5
I'm going to limit myself to the first 5 who pop into my head:
Tori
Fiona Apple
Jeff Buckley
Sam Beam (Iron & Wine)
Chan Marshall (Cat Power)
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Post by Aims on Jun 14, 2005 20:58:55 GMT -5
I like Carly's method with this, so ......
Maynard James Keenan, Chris Cornell, Neil Finn, Eddie Vedder, PJ Harvey..
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Post by redcloud on Jun 15, 2005 7:25:13 GMT -5
LOL Aims!
In my eyes, Kurt Cobain and Pulp's Jarvis Cocker are ahead of the rest.
But then again, lyrics come to us through music and if we're not really attracted by the music, then, we won't get into the lyrics and won't know them well.
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Post by Lemon Pie on Jun 15, 2005 10:21:33 GMT -5
you guessed it... Nick Cave...
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Post by redcloud on Jun 15, 2005 14:13:31 GMT -5
I alreadt told you, Tanja, but I love your avatar/sig combo!
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Post by Aims on Jun 15, 2005 20:16:01 GMT -5
What are you LOL'ing at me for? |
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Post by redcloud on Jun 16, 2005 4:53:42 GMT -5
I like Carly's method with this, so ...... because you use Carly's method!  |
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Post by Hellfire on Jun 16, 2005 13:26:46 GMT -5
Tori? Hmmm.... Her lyrics are great but way too cryptic. IMO what makes a good lyricist is someone who can express difficult emotions in an easy way, especially when surrounded by sarchasm (sp?) and emotional violence. That's why I'm gonna go with Aimee Mann and Fiona Apple as the best lyricists I know.
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Post by Julie on Jun 25, 2005 20:41:42 GMT -5
I think the best lyricists are Tori Amos, Alanis Morissette, Bonnie McKee, Fiona Apple, Vanessa Carlton, Maria Mena, and Jewel.
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Post by Koalapupu on Jun 30, 2005 21:38:19 GMT -5
I think my favorite lyricist is Stuart Murdoch from Belle and Sebastian. Most of his lyrics are these tiny stories about people, stories which offer me often consolation. As much as I like the obscurity of Tori, I also enjoy the straight-forwardness and beauty in simple observations written by Stuart.
"If I could do just one near perfect thing I'd be happy
They'd write it on my grave, or when they scattered my ashes.
On second thoughts I'd rather hang about and
be there with my best friend
If she wants me"
I'm also slowly starting to realize why Leonard Cohen is loved by so many. Although melodically he sounds like a drone to me often enough, his lyrics just disarm me.
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Post by ♪Carly♪ on Jul 12, 2005 13:25:31 GMT -5
I have to add Conor Oberst to my list.  |
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Post by Mary on Jul 12, 2005 19:00:40 GMT -5
I'm also slowly starting to realize why Leonard Cohen is loved by so many. Although melodically he sounds like a drone to me often enough, his lyrics just disarm me. Disarming is a great word to describe the effect of his lyrics. Yes, yes, I agree.  |
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Post by orfeo on Jul 12, 2005 21:51:29 GMT -5
Fiona Apple is definitely up there. Ben Folds. Joni Mitchell. Joe Jackson. Elvis Costello.
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Post by P a t r i c k on Jul 18, 2005 2:33:24 GMT -5
Bob Dylan, hands down!
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Post by talulad on Jul 18, 2005 9:13:56 GMT -5
Ohhhh how could I forget Bob Dylan. He's amazing. Even if he sounds like he swallowed a bunch of razorblades while smoking a pack of cigarettes and a joint simultaneously. His musical and lyrical talent far outweighs his vocal shortcomings ;D
Joni Mitchell is great too.
And if I could stop staring at Conor's beautiful eyes long enough (had to restrain myself from a Bright Eyes joke there) I'd say he's an excellent lyricist too. When he's not going overboard that is...
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Post by P a t r i c k on Aug 5, 2005 3:47:43 GMT -5
Add Thom Yorke to my list, too.
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Post by Natasha~ on Aug 12, 2005 1:42:16 GMT -5
Tori Amos Nick Drake John Lennon Ben Folds Elliott Smith Thom Yorke Bowie (60s-70s) Marc Bolan (of T. Rex) The Guess Who / Burton Cummings  Pink Floyd David Usher Sarah Slean Bernie Taupin (wrote Elton John's lyrics when he was still kick ass-see the lyrics to any song from Captain Fantastic...) Jonathan Richman Gosh, long list! N~ xo |
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