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PrintableBladerunner said: lovemachine said: Bladerunner said: lovemachine said: Bladerunner said: lovemachine said: BTW for the people who are choosing Prince have you not listened to his music? Just listen to the NPS album or the Rave album and try tell me he is the best lyricist of all time  Very often Prince's lyrics either don't make sense or are just stupid. Don't get me wrong he has written some GREAT songs such as NC2U, IIWYG, but he also tends to write lyrics like:
"I know you got a young man You don't care about Me darker than quicksand and taller than a tree" What?... Darker than quicksand 
. [This message was edited Sat Nov 30 12:54:16 PST 2002 by lovemachine] That same thing could be said of any number of artists who have recorded a boatload of songs over a 25 year period. I think some of Dylan's lyrics don't make sense either but he's supposed to be the world's greatest lyricist. But out of the thousands of songs that Prince has written how many could be considered truly great from a lyrical standpoint? I would say the answer is maybe 15-20 (if he is lucky). This is why Prince would never be mentioned in a question like this anywhere else but on Prince.org That's my point. With as many songs as he has written you're going to find some not so great ones and that's the case with anyone who writes as many. As far as the number of 'truly great' songs, it's not something I've sat down and thought about or looked into to come up with a number. And apparently he's thought of as good enough for many other artists to cover his songs over the years. But this thread isn't about great songs, it's about great lyrics and lyrics are probably/typically the weakest park of Prince's music. Well now you're nitpicking. If a song doesn't have great lyrics its not considered a great song. I don't agree with that. Purple Rain's lyrics don't really make sense, but I consider it a great song. It just has a cool vibe, cool guitar work, and a lot of emotion in it. But if you think about it the lyrics aren't that great. | |
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lovemachine said: Bladerunner said: lovemachine said: Bladerunner said: lovemachine said: Bladerunner said: lovemachine said: BTW for the people who are choosing Prince have you not listened to his music? Just listen to the NPS album or the Rave album and try tell me he is the best lyricist of all time Very often Prince's lyrics either don't make sense or are just stupid. Don't get me wrong he has written some GREAT songs such as NC2U, IIWYG, but he also tends to write lyrics like:
"I know you got a young man You don't care about Me darker than quicksand and taller than a tree" What?... Darker than quicksand
. [This message was edited Sat Nov 30 12:54:16 PST 2002 by lovemachine] That same thing could be said of any number of artists who have recorded a boatload of songs over a 25 year period. I think some of Dylan's lyrics don't make sense either but he's supposed to be the world's greatest lyricist. But out of the thousands of songs that Prince has written how many could be considered truly great from a lyrical standpoint? I would say the answer is maybe 15-20 (if he is lucky). This is why Prince would never be mentioned in a question like this anywhere else but on Prince.org That's my point. With as many songs as he has written you're going to find some not so great ones and that's the case with anyone who writes as many. As far as the number of 'truly great' songs, it's not something I've sat down and thought about or looked into to come up with a number. And apparently he's thought of as good enough for many other artists to cover his songs over the years. But this thread isn't about great songs, it's about great lyrics and lyrics are probably/typically the weakest park of Prince's music. Well now you're nitpicking. If a song doesn't have great lyrics its not considered a great song. I don't agree with that. Purple Rain's lyrics don't really make sense, but I consider it a great song. It just has a cool vibe, cool guitar work, and a lot of emotion in it. But if you think about it the lyrics aren't that great. You don't agree because everything you're describing is the arrangement of the song. People seem to love the song "Kiss" too, but when they talk about why it's always the arrangement they bring up, just like what you're saying now. Nobody is going to say that song has great lyrics. So I guess I'll correct myself and say that great songs usually have good lyrics. But an arrangement isn't a song all by itself. | |
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Paul McCartney
Bono Melissa Etheridge Eminem | |
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Bladerunner said: But an arrangement isn't a song all by itself.
True, it's just part of it. You can change an arrangement, and as long as the basic chord structure, lyrics, and melody remain the same, it's the same song arranged differently. But if you change the basic chord structure, lyrics and melody while keeping the same arrangement, it's a different song. I may as well throw in some names for the thread: Chuck Berry Ani Difranco Meshell Ndegéocello Stevie Wonder Carole King & Gerry Goffin This post not for the wimp contingent. All whiny wusses avert your eyes. | |
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Many of my favorites have already been mentioned, but here goes:
Elvis Costello Ani DiFranco Bjork David Lowery Robert Smith Bjork's gotta be my favorite lyricist right now. Some favorite lines: "I don't know my future after this weekend and I don't want to." "as much as I definitely enjoy solitude I wouldn't mind perhaps spending a little time with you sometimes" "since we broke up I'm using lipstick again I'll suck my tongue as a remembrance of you..." And my new favorite Bjork song: Cocoon Who would have known that a boy like him Would enter me lightly restoring my blisses Who would have known that a boy like him after sharing my core would stay going nowhere Who would have known a beauty this immense Who would have known a saintly trance Who would have known: miraculous breath inhales a beard loaded with courage Who would have known that a boy like him possessed of a magical sensitivity Would approach a girl like me who caresses, cradles his head in her bosom He slides inside Half awake half asleep We faint back into sleephood When I wake up the second time in his arms gorgeousness: he's still inside me!!! Who would have known? A train of pearls, cabin by cabin is shot precisely across an ocean From a mouth... from a... from a mouth of a girl like me to a boy... to a boy... |
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Brandon Boyd | |
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u guyz cant forget John Lennon! And George Harrison wrote some great lyrics too.
I still think Prince is one of the greatest song writers..some of yall are trippin...lmao...yeah some of his stuff dont make sense but just cuz u cant comprehend dont me his lyrics arent the shit!...not all poetry is understood...only the writer understands fully what he is writing. anyways, i think michael jackson is an underrated song writer...he writes some killer lyrics...i especially love the lyrics to Stranger in Moscow & They Don't Care About Us "Stranger In Moscow" I was wandering in the rain Mask of life, feelin' insane Swift and sudden fall from grace Sunny days seem far away Kremlin's shadow belittlin' me Stalin's tomb won't let me be On and on and on it came Wish the rain would just let me How does it feel (How does it feel) How does it feel How does it feel When you're alone And you're cold inside Here abandoned in my fame Armageddon of the brain KGB was doggin' me Take my name and just let me be Then a begger boy called my name Happy days will drown the pain On and on and on it came And again, and again, and again... Take my name and just let me be How does it feel (How does it feel) How does it feel How does it feel How does it feel How does it feel (How does it feel now) How does it feel How does it feel When you're alone And you're cold inside How does it feel (How does it feel) How does it feel How does it feel How does it feel How does it feel (How does it feel now) How does it feel How does it feel When you're alone And you're cold inside Like stranger in Moscow Like stranger in Moscow We're talkin' danger We're talkin' danger, baby Like stranger in Moscow We're talkin' danger We're talkin' danger, baby Like stranger in Moscow I'm live in lonely I'm live in lonely, baby Stranger in Moscow | |
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? [This message was edited Tue Jun 10 9:04:33 PDT 2003 by IstenSzek] and true love lives on lollipops and crisps | |
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Metalbabe699 said: u guyz cant forget John Lennon! And George Harrison wrote some great lyrics too.
I still think Prince is one of the greatest song writers..some of yall are trippin...lmao...yeah some of his stuff dont make sense but just cuz u cant comprehend dont me his lyrics arent the shit!...not all poetry is understood...only the writer understands fully what he is writing. anyways, i think michael jackson is an underrated song writer...he writes some killer lyrics...i especially love the lyrics to Stranger in Moscow & They Don't Care About Us "Stranger In Moscow" I was wandering in the rain Mask of life, feelin' insane Swift and sudden fall from grace Sunny days seem far away Kremlin's shadow belittlin' me Stalin's tomb won't let me be On and on and on it came Wish the rain would just let me How does it feel (How does it feel) How does it feel How does it feel When you're alone And you're cold inside Here abandoned in my fame Armageddon of the brain KGB was doggin' me Take my name and just let me be Then a begger boy called my name Happy days will drown the pain On and on and on it came And again, and again, and again... Take my name and just let me be How does it feel (How does it feel) How does it feel How does it feel How does it feel How does it feel (How does it feel now) How does it feel How does it feel When you're alone And you're cold inside How does it feel (How does it feel) How does it feel How does it feel How does it feel How does it feel (How does it feel now) How does it feel How does it feel When you're alone And you're cold inside Like stranger in Moscow Like stranger in Moscow We're talkin' danger We're talkin' danger, baby Like stranger in Moscow We're talkin' danger We're talkin' danger, baby Like stranger in Moscow I'm live in lonely I'm live in lonely, baby Stranger in Moscow WOW!!! Just reading those lyrics without the music was potent and powerful!!! MJ is a great writer!!! Very underrated in this regard. | |
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Some people I haven't seen mentioned yet (apologies if I've missed anyone's mentions):
Morrissey Jarvis Cocker Ian Curtis Richey Edwards/Nicky Wire (e.g. first 3-4 MSP albums) Ray Davies Elvis Costello Kirsty McColl Thom Yorke Brett Anderson (e.g. first two Suede albums) Roxy-era Bryan Ferry (overlooked as a lyricist, IMHO) Pete Townshend (ditto) Billy MacKenzie (of The Associates - ditto) Cathal Coughlan Edwyn Collins Roddy Frame Nick Cave Robert Foster / Grant McLennan (Go-Betweens) Lloyd Cole Billy Bragg Badly Drawn Boy (Damon Gough) | |
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I'm definitely with Almodis on this. Right at the top of my list are Morrissey and Ian Curtis. I also think that Bowie, Bjork, and Liz Phair are first rate. Even Missy Elliott with her silly raps is a lyrical genius. I could go on and on about this but I think that Bowie is probably the most literate, captivating and profound writer that I listen to. Don't know much by Costello so I can't yay or nay him yet.  | |
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omg like Gwen stefani and stuff...ommggg | |
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Ha, ha...I thought you were talking RAP...
Prince is my favorite song writer. I also like Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley Erykah Badu Jill Scott Sade L.L Cool J Biggie Smalls... [This message was edited Tue Dec 3 20:10:50 PST 2002 by Starmist7] | |
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sade
jimi hendrix jim morrison and...well...me... | |
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Prince, Mick and Keith, Plant and Page, Pete Townsend, Dylan, Carol King, Trent Reznor, Marilyn Manson, Morrison, Clapton, Waters and Gilmour, ELP, Jon Anderson, Bowie, David Byrne, Marianne Faithful, Clash, Chrissie Hynde, Bjork, Tracy Chapman, Desree, Lenny,George, Larry and Sly, Bob Marley and Peter Tosh,Bono and the Edge,Don Henley and Glen Frey,Seal, Billy Corgin and Perry Ferell and Keidas and Flea,Bryan Ferry,Tori Amos,Fiona Apple,Mary J.Blige,Madonna,Missy,Lil Kim,Michael Jackson. [This message was edited Fri Dec 6 23:12:15 PST 2002 by Natasha] | |
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. [This message was edited Fri Dec 6 23:38:59 PST 2002 by Starmist7] | |
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Ani Difranco is definitely one of my favourite lyricists. --»You're my favourite moment, you're my Saturday... | |
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Annie Lennox- she has the ability to be captivating, cunning, cutting, vulnerable and anguished in the same song. | |
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Moonbeam said: Annie Lennox- she has the ability to be captivating, cunning, cutting, vulnerable and anguished in the same song.
Do you really think she's the best ever or are you just representing? | |
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TRON said: Moonbeam said: Annie Lennox- she has the ability to be captivating, cunning, cutting, vulnerable and anguished in the same song.
Do you really think she's the best ever or are you just representing? I'd say so, yes. Robert Smith, Prince and Bjork are up there too. | |
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Moonbeam said: TRON said: Moonbeam said: Annie Lennox- she has the ability to be captivating, cunning, cutting, vulnerable and anguished in the same song.
Do you really think she's the best ever or are you just representing? I'd say so, yes. Robert Smith, Prince and Bjork are up there too. hmmm. I didn't know that. I think all of those artists you mentioned are great but I don't feel that any of them other than Bjork are among the best lyricists. To each his own I guess. [This message was edited Sat Dec 7 2:23:52 PST 2002 by TRON] | |
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I'd have to say Morrissey, Sinead O'Connor, Thom Yorke and Bjork are some of my favorite lyricists
I definately would NOT put P in that list...(of course) I love the man to death, but his lyrics don't stand well without the music... | |
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Here's the best:
Andy Partridge, of the band, XTC: '''Apples and cherries Are varnished in water Despite, striped awnings bright dismay I push my paintbrush To conjure a new world While this one is slowly washed away Ballet for a rainy day Silent film of melting miracle play Dancing out there through my window To the backdrop of a slow descending grey When it rains it rains All the colors in my paintbox When it rains it rains Tickets for the front row seats Up on the rooftops Orange and lemon Raincoats roll and tumble apples and cherries Together, dropped in diamond disarray''' '''The man who sailed around his soul From East to West, from pole to pole With ego as his drunken captain Greed, the mutineer, had trapped all reason in the hold The man who walked across his heart Who took no compass, guide or chart To rope and tar his blood congealed When he found his self revealed ugly and cold''' Bernie Taupin, of Elton John fame: '''So goodbye yellow brick road Where the dogs of society howl You can't plant me in your penthouse I'm going back to my plough Back to the howling old owl in the woods Hunting the horny back toad Oh I've finally decided my future lies Beyond the yellow brick road What do you think you'll do then I bet that'll shoot down your plane It'll take you a couple of vodka and tonics To set you on your feet again Maybe you'll get a replacement There's plenty like me to be found Mongrels who ain't got a penny Sniffing for tidbits like you on the ground ''' Bob Dylan: ''' All you others say Hell Yea!!  | |
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Simon Lebon
TTD/Sananda Sting Alanis Morissette Tori Amos Jim Morrison | |
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Starmist7 said: Biggie Smalls...
If for nothing else, he deserves to be on the list for writing the classic lines: "Similar to the thrilla in Manilla. Ladies call me Biggie, the condom filla." "I got the leanest, meanest, penis, you never seen this, stroke of genius." No Candy 4 Me | |
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Joni Mitchell rules with an iron fist here!!
As for honorable mentions, the list is endless: Sting; Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young; Simon and Garfunkel; Annie Lennox (I totally agree); Ani DiFranco; Morrissey; Stevie Wonder; India.Arie (a future legend); MeShell Ndegeocello; Cole Porter; the Lennon/McCartney machine; Roger Waters; Andy Partidge from XTC; D'Arby (I'm not a huge fan, but he's WAY underrated as a lyricist); James Taylor; Carol King; Judy Collins; Elvis Costello;Lauryn Hill; Bjork; Bob Dylan; Vanessa Daou (check her out if you don't know her!!); Stevie Wonder; Bobby Womack; Sly Stone; Jim Morrisson; KRS1; Mos Def; Talib Kweli, Gil Scott Heron; the Last Poets; rappers Wise Intelligent and Grand Puba; Missy Elliot(this girl says the most incredible things!); Eminem (I despise him, but the man has talent)... ...There are tons of great poets!!! Oh, and as for out litle purple wonder, I'm not quite sure what to make of him. There's such inconsistency between poetry like "Joy in Repetition," "Moonbeam Levels" or "The Ballad of Dorothy Parker," corn like "Diamonds & Pearls" and pure bullshit like "Jughead." I could respect Prince more as a great all-time lyricist if his extremely witty stuff wasn't compromised by his lyrical garbage. [This message was edited Thu Dec 12 19:15:16 PST 2002 by Lammastide] [This message was edited Thu Dec 12 19:18:14 PST 2002 by Lammastide] Ὅσον ζῇς φαίνου
μηδὲν ὅλως σὺ λυποῦ πρὸς ὀλίγον ἐστὶ τὸ ζῆν τὸ τέλος ὁ χρόνος ἀπαιτεῖ.” | |
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Let's not forget Suzanne Vega and Donald Fagen Ὅσον ζῇς φαίνου
μηδὲν ὅλως σὺ λυποῦ πρὸς ὀλίγον ἐστὶ τὸ ζῆν τὸ τέλος ὁ χρόνος ἀπαιτεῖ.” | |
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