Who's the better love & romance lyricist?

musicjunky318 said:

Who's the better love & romance lyricist?

Prince, but it's VERY close.

[Edited 3/8/11 11:24am]

Dylan was right when he declared Smokey America's greatest living poet. For Prince it's an endless struggle to convey romantic love without getting bogged down in the mechanics of sex. Smokey's romantic songcraft is peerless.

They are so different it is hard 4 me 2 compare.

"Who's the better love & romance lyricist?"

Smokey.

Smokey.

I'd probably say Smokey is "better" but I dig Prince more.

I will say this:
The way each generation communicates changes. Overall, Smokey is the better "romantic poet" but Prince was in time with the generation he was writing for. Of course, each generation communicates slightly (and in some instances greatly) from the last. What worked for Smokey in his day, works differently now and has less of a mass appeal and caters more to a crowd that responds to that type of communication nowadays. Same goes for Prince. Prince used to use a lot of double-entenders. That is very "out" these days because the younger generation is used to very straightforward communication (partially thanks to rap becoming so popular) and respond differently to that type of writing. Its still considered "clever" and "classic" but the bluntness of communication has surpassed his way of writing. Smokey was considered "tame" in the 80s when Prince was edgy. Prince is considered "tame" now. I think Smokey's writing style is much more universal than Prince's when it comes to romance, also. As was said, Prince still tends to allude to sex, even when he is speaking on love. Smokey is a master at being able to conjure up emotional love without deferring to sexual undertones, which in my opinion, makes him better at writing songs of romance than Prince. That said, they are both better at it than R. Kelly or Trey Songz.

BlaqueKnight said:

I will say this:
The way each generation communicates changes. Overall, Smokey is the better "romantic poet" but Prince was in time with the generation he was writing for. Of course, each generation communicates slightly (and in some instances greatly) from the last. What worked for Smokey in his day, works differently now and has less of a mass appeal and caters more to a crowd that responds to that type of communication nowadays. Same goes for Prince. Prince used to use a lot of double-entenders. That is very "out" these days because the younger generation is used to very straightforward communication (partially thanks to rap becoming so popular) and respond differently to that type of writing. Its still considered "clever" and "classic" but the bluntness of communication has surpassed his way of writing. Smokey was considered "tame" in the 80s when Prince was edgy. Prince is considered "tame" now. I think Smokey's writing style is much more universal than Prince's when it comes to romance, also. As was said, Prince still tends to allude to sex, even when he is speaking on love. Smokey is a master at being able to conjure up emotional love without deferring to sexual undertones, which in my opinion, makes him better at writing songs of romance than Prince. That said, they are both better at it than R. Kelly or Trey Songz.

Well said BK! Well said....

Identity said:

Dylan was right when he declared Smokey America's greatest living poet. For Prince it's an endless struggle to convey romantic love without getting bogged down in the mechanics of sex. Smokey's romantic songcraft is peerless.

BlaqueKnight said:

I will say this:
The way each generation communicates changes. Overall, Smokey is the better "romantic poet" but Prince was in time with the generation he was writing for. Of course, each generation communicates slightly (and in some instances greatly) from the last. What worked for Smokey in his day, works differently now and has less of a mass appeal and caters more to a crowd that responds to that type of communication nowadays. Same goes for Prince. Prince used to use a lot of double-entenders. That is very "out" these days because the younger generation is used to very straightforward communication (partially thanks to rap becoming so popular) and respond differently to that type of writing. Its still considered "clever" and "classic" but the bluntness of communication has surpassed his way of writing. Smokey was considered "tame" in the 80s when Prince was edgy. Prince is considered "tame" now. I think Smokey's writing style is much more universal than Prince's when it comes to romance, also. As was said, Prince still tends to allude to sex, even when he is speaking on love. Smokey is a master at being able to conjure up emotional love without deferring to sexual undertones, which in my opinion, makes him better at writing songs of romance than Prince. That said, they are both better at it than R. Kelly or Trey Songz.

That was on point. (When you do the math you are talking about, I think the winner is still Smokey.)

I remember thinking on one of Smoke's songs way back - "Wait, is he singing about titilation/masturbation?" And hell if he wasn't - "I've made love to you a thousand times, if only in my mind." Smokey could sing about taking Courtney Love on as his girl so smooth you might sit back and think "shit, I ought to marry this chick before he gets to her, she sounds fine as hell." Karen Carpenter did the same thing at times. Talk about some funky shit in sweet croon and you can get away with stuff.

If I have to be honest? Smokey. But Prince is right up there.

BlaqueKnight said:

I will say this:
The way each generation communicates changes. Overall, Smokey is the better "romantic poet" but Prince was in time with the generation he was writing for. Of course, each generation communicates slightly (and in some instances greatly) from the last. What worked for Smokey in his day, works differently now and has less of a mass appeal and caters more to a crowd that responds to that type of communication nowadays. Same goes for Prince. Prince used to use a lot of double-entenders. That is very "out" these days because the younger generation is used to very straightforward communication (partially thanks to rap becoming so popular) and respond differently to that type of writing. Its still considered "clever" and "classic" but the bluntness of communication has surpassed his way of writing. Smokey was considered "tame" in the 80s when Prince was edgy. Prince is considered "tame" now. I think Smokey's writing style is much more universal than Prince's when it comes to romance, also. As was said, Prince still tends to allude to sex, even when he is speaking on love. Smokey is a master at being able to conjure up emotional love without deferring to sexual undertones, which in my opinion, makes him better at writing songs of romance than Prince. That said, they are both better at it than R. Kelly or Trey Songz.

You're crazy -- NOBODY can encapsulate 50 years of black music in one paragraph.

But you DID manage to do it!

namepeace said:

BlaqueKnight said:

I will say this:
The way each generation communicates changes. Overall, Smokey is the better "romantic poet" but Prince was in time with the generation he was writing for. Of course, each generation communicates slightly (and in some instances greatly) from the last. What worked for Smokey in his day, works differently now and has less of a mass appeal and caters more to a crowd that responds to that type of communication nowadays. Same goes for Prince. Prince used to use a lot of double-entenders. That is very "out" these days because the younger generation is used to very straightforward communication (partially thanks to rap becoming so popular) and respond differently to that type of writing. Its still considered "clever" and "classic" but the bluntness of communication has surpassed his way of writing. Smokey was considered "tame" in the 80s when Prince was edgy. Prince is considered "tame" now. I think Smokey's writing style is much more universal than Prince's when it comes to romance, also. As was said, Prince still tends to allude to sex, even when he is speaking on love. Smokey is a master at being able to conjure up emotional love without deferring to sexual undertones, which in my opinion, makes him better at writing songs of romance than Prince. That said, they are both better at it than R. Kelly or Trey Songz.

You're crazy -- NOBODY can encapsulate 50 years of black music in one paragraph.

But you DID manage to do it!

Identity said:

Dylan was right when he declared Smokey America's greatest living poet. For Prince it's an endless struggle to convey romantic love without getting bogged down in the mechanics of sex. Smokey's romantic songcraft is peerless.

You know as much as I love Prince...I have to agree with that sentiment.

lavender1983 said:

Identity said:

Dylan was right when he declared Smokey America's greatest living poet. For Prince it's an endless struggle to convey romantic love without getting bogged down in the mechanics of sex. Smokey's romantic songcraft is peerless.

You know as much as I love Prince...I have to agree with that sentiment.

U guys say that.......as if it is a bad thing.

Graycap23 said:

lavender1983 said:

You know as much as I love Prince...I have to agree with that sentiment.

U guys say that.......as if it is a bad thing.

No...I personally didn't mean it like that. It's just that when I think of his best ballads in my personal opinion they always have a sexual connotation to them...I love his little nasty self dont get me wrong but I still appreciate just pure romantic songs that leave something to the imagination. Like Blaqueknight said they were from completely different eras and Prince is just sexual by nature so it comes out in his lyrics. I dont think he could help himself.

Smokey's peers may actually be Cole Porter, the Gershwins and other all-time great American songwriters.

I'd take Prince over anyone anyday because he's my favorite artist and he's as versatile as they come, either very good or great at almost everything.

But I can't say he's on Smokey's level as a lyricist. I can only think of a few artists since who are in Smokey's neighborhood.

Smokey....

Prince have his moments....

Smokey is better with the romantic lyrics

Prince is better with the sexual lyrics.

Let's face it...Smokey tryna get at ur heart. Prince just tryna get at ur panties.

Prince because he tells the truth in his love songs. Smokey's love songs was very nice. But they were to fairytale. Love isn't a fairytale or soapopera its real & U can feel Prince's pain in some of love songs 2 the point of crying....."The Beautiful Ones" was more heartfelt then any Smokey song.

Enuff said

WILLIAM "SMOKEY" ROBINSON......no doubt.

Although I'm a bigger fan of Prince's music........

THREAD SUBTITLES:

Ohh, Baby Baby VS. Do Me, Baby

Mickey's Monkey VS. Let's Go Crazy

Quiet Storm VS. Adore

Who's Loving You VS. How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?

The Tracks Of My Tears VS. The Beautiful Ones

In the best 3 out of 5 series, it's a close call. But my vote would go to Smokey.

Smokey.

BlaqueKnight said:

I will say this:
The way each generation communicates changes. Overall, Smokey is the better "romantic poet" but Prince was in time with the generation he was writing for. Of course, each generation communicates slightly (and in some instances greatly) from the last. What worked for Smokey in his day, works differently now and has less of a mass appeal and caters more to a crowd that responds to that type of communication nowadays. Same goes for Prince. Prince used to use a lot of double-entenders. That is very "out" these days because the younger generation is used to very straightforward communication (partially thanks to rap becoming so popular) and respond differently to that type of writing. Its still considered "clever" and "classic" but the bluntness of communication has surpassed his way of writing. Smokey was considered "tame" in the 80s when Prince was edgy. Prince is considered "tame" now. I think Smokey's writing style is much more universal than Prince's when it comes to romance, also. As was said, Prince still tends to allude to sex, even when he is speaking on love. Smokey is a master at being able to conjure up emotional love without deferring to sexual undertones, which in my opinion, makes him better at writing songs of romance than Prince. That said, they are both better at it than R. Kelly or Trey Songz.

BAM! and there it is

Even though Smokey automatically wins the battle, I think Smoke himself had some heavy competitors, I think Ernie Isley could be considered a great lyricist when it came to the Isleys' romantic ballads (yeah he not only did the music but lyrics too) but because most of the Isleys' 1970s and early 1980s (into 1984) material shared compositions by all six active members, it's very hard to pinpoint.

Also to be frank, Smokey usually had others writing with him - mainly his Miracles band mates (Pete Moore, Bobby Rogers, Ronnie White, Marv Tarplin) but on his own he wrote so many great love ballads on his own. Besides his Miracles work, Smokey's best work was with others who interpreted his words (Mary Wells and the Temptations being prime examples of it).

Timmy84 said:

Even though Smokey automatically wins the battle, I think Smoke himself had some heavy competitors, I think Ernie Isley could be considered a great lyricist when it came to the Isleys' romantic ballads (yeah he not only did the music but lyrics too) but because most of the Isleys' 1970s and early 1980s (into 1984) material shared compositions by all six active members, it's very hard to pinpoint.

Also to be frank, Smokey usually had others writing with him - mainly his Miracles band mates (Pete Moore, Bobby Rogers, Ronnie White, Marv Tarplin) but on his own he wrote so many great love ballads on his own. Besides his Miracles work, Smokey's best work was with others who interpreted his words (Mary Wells and the Temptations being prime examples of it).

I think in a interview once, he stated that he allowed his fellow Miracles to write with him, because they were his brothers and he wanted them to have royalties as well, so they wouldn't have to depend on performing all of their lives....

Can't quite remember tho'

Could've been on some documentary

funkpill said:

Timmy84 said:

Even though Smokey automatically wins the battle, I think Smoke himself had some heavy competitors, I think Ernie Isley could be considered a great lyricist when it came to the Isleys' romantic ballads (yeah he not only did the music but lyrics too) but because most of the Isleys' 1970s and early 1980s (into 1984) material shared compositions by all six active members, it's very hard to pinpoint.

Also to be frank, Smokey usually had others writing with him - mainly his Miracles band mates (Pete Moore, Bobby Rogers, Ronnie White, Marv Tarplin) but on his own he wrote so many great love ballads on his own. Besides his Miracles work, Smokey's best work was with others who interpreted his words (Mary Wells and the Temptations being prime examples of it).

I think in a interview once, he stated that he allowed his fellow Miracles to write with him, because they were his brothers and he wanted them to have royalties as well, so they wouldn't have to depend on performing all of their lives....

Can't quite remember tho'

Could've been on some documentary

I can see that being the case, since the Miracles actually disbanded initially in 1983 and they didn't seem in a state where they needed money anyway. Billy Griffin probably still gets a good paycheck from "Love Machine" for example.