20 Greatest Pop/Rock Songwriters
42 items ranked
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1.
John Lennon
Slightly less consistent than McCartney, but at turns more volatile and powerful. And he was just getting started. Under-Appreciated Gem: "In My Life"
406 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill -
2.
Paul McCartney
The Beatles most consistent member and cornerstone. McCartney's songs sometimes seemed less serious but his mastery of the craft of pop song writing is unmatched. Under-Appreciated Gem: All the best parts of Abby Road.
281 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill -
3.
Bob Dylan
Dylan has simply written more timeless songs than any other person in human history. He is an icon and one of the 20th century's most compelling figures. Under-Appreciated Gem: "With God on Our Side"
257 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill -
4.
George Harrison
Known as the 'Quite' Beatle. He is responsible for songs such as While My guitar Gently Weeps, Here Comes The Sun, Something, Taxman, Good Morning Good Morning and For You Blue.
Solo songs: My Sweet Lord, I've Got My Mind Set On You (Cover), All Things Must Pass...
172 points - added 14 years ago by guest - 3 comments
Comments:
The 5th song you mention was written by John Lennon.
Added 10 years ago by guest, 1 point
I agree. He should not be number 4, he should be higher.
Added 11 years ago by guest, 1 point
Number 4, are you kidding ?
Not even close.
Added 13 years ago by guest, -5 points
5.
Brian Wilson
124 points - added 15 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
Brian Wilson belongs at the top of the list, without a doubt. "Good Vibrations", "Pet Sounds" as a whole, and the majority of anything that he's written down are masterpieces.
Added 13 years ago by guest, -1 points
6.
Ray Davies
90 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill - 1 comment
Comments:
Probably the most underrated writer in Rock
Added 9 years ago by guest, 0 points
7.
jimmy page
88 points - added 15 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
His claim to originality has been damaged by plagiarism accusations.
Added 8 years ago by guest, -6 points
8.
Pete Townsend
It's almost wrong to have lyrics this good in rock songs that hard. Townsend in also probably the most underrated rock guitarist of his generation along with Robbie Robertson. Under-Appreciated Gem: "Naked Eye" and "A Quick One"
83 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill -
9.
Paul Simon
Sometimes to artsy and literary, but his catalog speaks for itself. An underrated singer as well. Under-Appreciated Gem: "American Tune"
73 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill -
10.
Jim Morrison
66 points - added 11 years ago by redbarron80 -
11.
John Fogerty
Creedence Clearwater Revival and solo
66 points - added 12 years ago by guest -
12.
Neil Young
40 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill -
13.
Freddie Mercury
You can't forget this magnificent songwriter. Freddie is responsible for some of the worlds greatest pieces of musical art. He was a sheer genius. Queen in general wrote some of the worlds greatest rock songs. Rock on!
39 points - added 14 years ago by guest -
14.
Van Morrison
39 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill -
15.
Elvis Costello
33 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill -
16.
Roger Waters
28 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill - 2 comments
Comments:
Ahead**
Added 12 years ago by guest, -3 points
#7? are you freaking kidding, this guy is at least a century of all the above, simply a genius of all geniuses
Added 12 years ago by guest, -11 points
17.
Al Stewart
Very underrated British writer. Forget 'Year of the Cat' etc. and listen to his earlier works. Has a Dylan / Lennon influence.
25 points - added 15 years ago by guest -
18.
Bruce Springsteen
22 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill - 1 comment
Comments:
The complete rock song writer: lyrics, music, arrangement, and production. The Boss is in charge of it all and does it all well. The Beatles had George Martin to get the sound they wanted. Dylan's lyrics are second to none but he rarely if ever moves you with music.
Added 13 years ago by guest, -1 points
19.
Eddie Vedder
21 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill - 2 comments
Comments:
Eddie's a lyrical genius. Ask a good poet.
Added 12 years ago by guest, 0 points
Eddie Vedder is not the sound behind the big hits. It's Stone Gossard and the band. Eddie has no range as a writer.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 0 points
20.
CAROLE KING
She wrote the song "NATURAL WOMAN". Sang by Queen of Soul. ARETHA FRANKLIN.
20 points - added 12 years ago by guest -
21.
Kurt Cobain
20 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill -
22.
Joni Mitchell
Perhaps the most influential female singer-songwriter in modern music, Joni Mitchell is the author of such classics songs as; I Had a King, Cactus Tree, Chelsea Morning, Both Sides Now, Big Yellow Taxi, The Circle Game, All I Want, Carey, Blue, River, A Case of You, Woman Of Heart and Mind, Night Ride Home Etc.
14 points - added 10 years ago by guest -
23.
Adam Duritz
Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows has been known for his deep and personal lyrics being described as "tortured" and "beautiful."
14 points - added 14 years ago by andrewmusic - 2 comments
Comments:
Adam Duritz wrote like one or two good songs on the first album now he's doing duets with vanessa carlton for shrek you kidding me.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 0 points
Stop crying Adam
Added 13 years ago by guest, 0 points
24.
Leonard Cohen
13 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill -
25.
Neil Tennant/ Chris Lowe
The Pet Shop Boys duo.
10 points - added 6 years ago by guest -
26.
ROD TEMPERTON
Thriller, Razzamatazz, Rock with you ...
10 points - added 12 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
Rod Temperton is Great!
Added 8 years ago by guest, -1 points
27.
Syd Barrett
10 points - added 13 years ago by guest -
28.
Chinn& Chapman
They write the greatest songs in the seventies like "Blockbuster" and many more
10 points - added 13 years ago by sweetts -
29.
Maynard
one of the absolute, most intellectual songwriters ever, creates beauty out of very dark, controversial subjects, no one can write a better song
10 points - added 14 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
Great lyricist though the man behind the riffs is the guitarist.
Added 13 years ago by guest, 0 points
30.
Tom Waits
10 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill -
31.
Chris Cornell
Best writer out of Seattle. Simple nothing like the music he makes with Soundgarden. Sophisticated and Unique.
9 points - added 13 years ago by guest -
32.
Conor Oberst
9 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill -
33.
John Hiatt
Huge volume of top-quality work, many top hits by wide variety of major artists. Songs range from country to pop to rock to alternative rock, ballads to rockers. Some are as good, but few if any are better song crafters than John Hiatt.
8 points - added 13 years ago by guest -
34.
Todd Snider
Came across Snider embarrassingly late in life. John Prine meets Randy Newman meets Steve Earle. A master. The greatest songwriter Gen X produced.
6 points - added 14 years ago by BradHemphill -
35.
Michael Jackson
5 points - added 14 years ago by guest - 1 comment
Comments:
Heal the world, beat it, billie jean, we are the world,....and many more. Truly a GENIUS! King of Music.
Added 11 years ago by Jason947258, -1 points
36.
Steve Earle
4 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill -
37.
Jackson Brown
3 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill -
38.
Robbie Robertson
3 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill -
39.
John Prine
2 points - added 15 years ago by BradHemphill -
40.
Ben Folds
Ben never really got the exposure he deserved. At least not on the west coast. He is truly a melodic jean-yus.
1 point - added 14 years ago by guest -
41.
james Bryce
0 points - added 12 years ago by guest -
42.
Sezen Aksu
The best songwriter of turkey...
-37 points - added 13 years ago by cutepoison -
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