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Anyone still do insightful or intelligent lyrics?

I have always loved lyrics as much as music and think that music I enjoy must be a combination of both good lyrics and good musicianship. I love some of Paul Simon's lyrics from as far back as the '60's. He was only 16 when he wrote "Sounds of Silence." There are dozens of other examples from Simon and Garfunkel.

Lyle Lovett has written some great lyrics i.e. "Simlpe Song."

Bob Seger, Jackson Browne, Hoyt Axton, John and Paul, Mick and Richard, Emmylou Harris, Gordon Lightfoot, and even Midge Ure have written things that impressed me, but I find very few people writing great lyrics anymore!

Is anyone writing intelligent, insightful lyrics anymore?
128x128nrchy
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regiolanthe
75 posts
 
Some of my nominations:

XTC continue to be some of the wittiest lyricists around (okay - so they've been around for close to 30 years, but they're still going)

Martin Newell (read poems on his website)

Roddy Frame (Aztec Camera)

Martin Phillips (The Chills - last release back in '96)
pmotz
412 posts
 
I've always found Richard Thompson's lyrics to be very insightful, though they tend to be a little caustic. I would also second Sarah McLachlan, more mainstream than Richard Thompson, but just as insightful.
hdm
1,062 posts
 
Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits
nicko
25 posts
 
This is in a little different direction, but I think Isaak Brock of Modest Mouse writes some really great stuff about space, god, and cockroaches. Not as linear as most, but crazily genius.
jimd
50 posts
 
Springsteen's early songs were relevant to his times and personal experiences growing up in a middle class NJ household. His lyrics on some songs rivaled great poetry. His latest albums are getting back to that personal experience style. I also like Heart's, Robert Cray's, Van Morrison, Lyle Lovett, and Melissa Ethridge's lyrics. I don't know if they compare to some of the best, but I enjoy them.
holzhauer
201 posts
 
I've always found the lyrics of Rushes Neil Peart to be extremely intelligent and thought provoking. He has published several literary works as well. A favorite of mine from Natural Science "When the ebbing tide retreats along the rocky shoreline it leaves a trail of tidal pools in a short lived galaxy. Each microcosmic planet a complete society. A simple kind of mirror to reflect upon our own- all the busy little creatures chasing out there destinies. Living in their pools they soon forget about the sea..."
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waltersalas
952 posts
 

Although I wasn't crazy about her most recent album, I think Lucinda Williams is one of the best contemporary songwriters. Among lesser knowns, I strongly believe that Freedy Johnston and Amy Rigby deserve more attention. For something very strange and wonderful--and also off the beaten path--try the Handsome Family, a sort of Flannery O'Connor meets Johnny Cash kind of deal. Eerie, but amazing.
lugnut
1,190 posts
 
Steely Dan's latest LP is full of lyrics that rival good poetry in that they can mean so many things to different people. I love the mental picture great lyrics provide.
tsouthworth
59 posts
 
I take an active dislike to groups who think that one line repeated 4 times is a chorus. Some popular, some critically acclaimed. To me, just lazy.

How about Sarah McLachlan, Joe Pernice (of the Pernice Bros.), Jane Siberry, Tom Russell, Loreena McKinnitt, Peter Case? You can see their catalogs at http://www.allmusic.com/.

Happy Hunting!
steelhead
318 posts
 
Almost anything by Greg Brown. A great singer songwriter. Go to Redhouse Records website (www.redhouserecords.com) and you can listen to some of his tunes. I recommend slant six mind and covenant but actually love anything he does.

I also like Tragically Hip lyrics for a more hard rocking sound.

Happy listening
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