Greatest Songwriter of all time


I was reading the Dylan post and it got me thinking. There are many great songwriters that come to mind, my expertise/knowledge is primarily with rock music. If you could only pick three, what would they be? My vote for best lyrics goes to:

Jim Morrison
Bruce Springsteen
Elvis Costello

Best music goes to:

Mark Knopfler
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Frank Zappa
jeffloistarca

There's many great ones, but ones that belong in the "best" conversation for songwriters (which implies popular music with lyrics)

Joni Mitchell (no one else in her league that can compete solo in musicianship, lyrics and music),  Bob Dylan (not one of my faves but belongs in the conversation), Lennon/McCartney, Neil Young (not the greatest, but tied for favorite) George Gershwin.

An excellent nomination @roxy54! Difford and Tillbrooks albums as members of Squeeze are mighty fine, amongst the best of the 2nd British Invasion (1977 and into the 80’s), as are their duo albums. In 1982 I saw Squeeze live in London, and they were also a good live band.

Another excellent UK Power Pop songwriter is the late John Wicks, of The Records. I had the pleasure of playing some live shows with John after he moved to L.A. in the 90’s. A very sweet (and funny!) guy.

I haven't kept up with this thread. Has Marshall Crenshaw's name been invoked?

The world is much more than your settlement ... Time - much longer than you live ...

Are you sure you know all the music in the world ???

Many people never went beyond their state at all and only know what the TV tells them ... But this does not prevent them from peremptorly compiling a list ))) 

I'd have to say Antônio Carlos Jobim, George Gershwin,and Lennon and McCartney are up there

Townes Van Zandt, Patty Griffith and Tom Waits sure are good

 

 

Lennon & McCartney

Fagan Becker

Paul Simon 

Bob Dylan

Neil Young

Jackson Browne

John Mellencamp

Carole King

 

Gorden Lightfoot who passed recently deserves a mention, even if he was just a Canadian.🏆