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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
linkster
431 posts
 
Clive Gregson! Check out the 1995 release People and Places on Compass Records.
dogeatpuppy
96 posts
 
Britney Spears is very inSIGHTful : )
goinbroke
105 posts
 
Nrchy, taking into account the artists you mention, you may want to check out Joshua Kadison. While my musical tastes tend to usually lean in a much harder direction, it's the lyrics from this singer/songwriter that keep me coming back. Unless sugary sweet is your thing, I would suggest to stay away from "Painted Desert Serenade" even though this album is viewed by many as his best and has gotten the most acclaim. "Delilah Blue" is, however, a much better album, in my opinion. Darker lyrics with the same sincerity and a little gravel thrown in the ol' voicebox to make it all the more real. His best album, however, is the one that the fewest people have heard..."Vanishing America". It's a blend of the character of the first two albums with a loose theme of things that are fondly remembered, may be uniquely American and are or soon will be completely gone.
mmrog
101 posts
 
Seems that folk music is where many of the
best (and worst) poets are these days.
Some of the best IMHO are

Iris DeMent
Guy Clark
Darrel Scott
Tom Russell
Greg Brown
Rodney Crowell
Loudon Wainwright III
Susan Werner

If you're more into rock or pop

Dave Alvin
Steve Earle
Richard Thompson
John Hiatt
Fountain of Waynes
ben_campbell
1,169 posts
 
Nrchy-I think the quality of lyrics today are still very good amongst the best artists.
Here's a few that spring to mind that haven't been mentioned above.

Nick Cave-a true master craftsman when it comes to lyrics.

Thom Yorke-Radiohead-post modern at times but relates his world view in a fragmented fashion that fits the times.

Ryan Adams-admits he spends a long time over his lyrics,again an excellent craftsman-check out the Love Is Hell eps.

Steven Merrit/Magnetic Fields-extremely funny,insighful and playful-check out some of 69 Love Songs-a triple CD set with believe it or not 69 love songs.

Of course there is the more intelligent side of rap which I don't specialise but Michael Franti of Spearhead is a superb lyricist.

There's hardly been a generation of popular music that hasn't thrown a classic lyricist.
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