It had to be done.
Who writes the catchiest melodies, and sets them to the most memorable lyrics?
I'll start with my personal fave:
1. Tom Waits
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/Tom_Waits_3.jpg)
COMPLETE LIST
1. Tom Waits
2. David Bowie
3. Bob Marley
4. Frank Zappa
5. Chuck Schuldiner
6. Joe Strummer
7. Michael Jackson
8. Johnny Cash
9. Billy Joel
10. Stevie Nicks
11. Carole King
12. Phil Collins
13. John Lennon
14. Morrissey
15. Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash
16. Burt Bacharach and Hal David
17. Desmond Child
18. Paul McCartney
19. Bob Halligan Jr.
20. Cole Porter
21. Paul Stanley & Gene Simmons
22. Irving Berlin
23. Kevin Cronin
24. Shane McGowan
25. Lamont Dozier
26. Pete Townshend
27. Andy McCoy
28. Bob Dylan
29. Huey Lewis
30. Neil Diamond
31. Don Dokken
32. Harold Arlen
33. Bill Monroe
34. Ashford & Simpson
35. David Wilcox
36. Bryan Ferry
37. Paul Simon
38. Eddie & Brian Holland
39. Andrew Bird
40. Brian Wilson
41. King Diamond
42. Blackie Lawless
43. Martin Gore
44. Hank Williams Sr.
45. Barry Manilow
46. Eminem
47. Lionel Richie
48. Prince
49. Robert Johnson
50. Andy McCoy
51. Stevie Wonder
52. Bernie Taupin & Elton John
53. Hoagy Carmichael
54. Michael Gira
55. Van Morrison
56. George and Ira Gershwin
57. Leadbelly
58. Duke Ellington
59. Willie Nelson
60. Steve Harris
61. John Lee Hooker
62. Shel Silverstein
63. Randy Newman
64. Jerome Kern
65. Paul Williams
66. David Coverdale
67. Nicky Wire
68. Willie Dixon
69. Ray Davies
70. Alex Chilton
71. Curtis Mayfield
72. Lou Reed
73. Neil Young
74. Gordon Lightfoot
75. Sly Stone
76. Antonio Carlos Jobim
77. Joe Strummer
78. Ray Stevens
79. Chris DeGarmo & Geoff Tate
80. Bruce Springsteen
81. Alex Turner
82. Burton Cummings
83. Elvis Costello
84. Rick Nielsen
85. Leonard Cohen
86. Midge Ure
87. Patti Smith
88. Stiv Bators
89. Richard Thompson
90. Jonathan Cain
91. Paul Weller
92. Dan Auerbach
93. Alex Capranos
94. David Byrne
95. Jack White
96. Jerry Only
97. Mark Heard
98. Tonio K.
99. Leon Russell
100. Kris Kristofferson
2) David Bowie
(http://991.com/newgallery/David-Bowie-Aladdin-Sane-2123.jpg)
3) Bob Marley
(http://poponthepop.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/bob_marley.jpg)
4) Frank Zappa
(http://purgatorio1.com/wp-content/pics/FrankZappa.jpg)
5) Chuck Schuldiner
(http://images.google.com/url?q=http://www.music-store.cz/photo/02_11_schuldiner1.jpg&usg=AFQjCNGgoWC2ndS6xKUk3QD5F6F0f8ptFA)
6) Joe Strummer
(http://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/media/image/h/n/Meeting_Joe_Strummer_(o)_large.jpg)
7.) Michael Jackson
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/32/DontStopTilYouGetEnoughMichaelJackson.jpg)
Hey, he did give us some of the best pop anthems ever.
8). Johnny Cash
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/JohnnyCash1969.jpg)
9) Billy Joel
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/82/Billyjoelgreatesthits.jpg)
10. Stevie Nicks
(http://dailyblabber.ivillage.com/entertainment/archives/Stevie-nicks-0200.jpg)
11) Carole King
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e2/Carole_King_2.jpg)
12) Phil Collins
(http://www.threadbombing.com/data/media/22/phil_collins_approves.jpg)
13). John Lennon
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/Lie_In_15_--_John_rehearses_Give_Peace_A_Chance.jpg)
14) Morrissey
(http://blog.ugo.com/images/uploads/MorrisseyOnGrass.jpg)
Quote from: Rev. Powell on October 11, 2008, 06:38:31 PM
13). John Lennon
Citing
JOHN LENNON without
PAUL McCARTNEY may be missing the point (we're probably all aware that they did not write together, so it's fair enough to assert) but it's
THE BEATLES' output
LENNON will be most remembered for, and he and
McCARTNEY are always credited together, per their agreement.
McCARTNEY probably wrote many more of the better known and beloved tunes, and did display a broad range.
14)
KURT WEILL and
OGDEN NASH. They wrote
"Speak Low," for one thing, one of the greatest songs in the English language.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Kurt_Weill_01.jpg)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0a/2002_USPS_ogden_nash.jpg)
15) Burt Bacharach and Hal David
(http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/fc/spring03/images/bacharach1.jpg)
16) Desmond Child
(http://www.artistdirect.com/Images/Sources/AMGPORTRAITS/music/portrait200/drp100/p114/p11498o32s1.jpg)
Quote from: Allhallowsday on October 11, 2008, 08:52:24 PM
Quote from: Rev. Powell on October 11, 2008, 06:38:31 PM
13). John Lennon
Citing JOHN LENNON without PAUL McCARTNEY may be missing the point (we're probably all aware that they did not write together, so it's fair enough to assert) but it's THE BEATLES' output LENNON will be most remembered for, and he and McCARTNEY are always credited together, per their agreement. McCARTNEY probably wrote many more of the better known and beloved tunes, and did display a broad range.
14) KURT WEILL and OGDEN NASH. They wrote "Speak Low," for one thing, one of the greatest songs in the English language.
I was wondering if someone would call me on Lennon/McCartney--however, I thought it would go something like this:
"How can you mention John Lennon without adding
18). PaulMcCartney
(http://www.poster.net/mccartney-paul/mccartney-paul-photo-paul-mccartney-6206379.jpg)?"
I think they both deserve their own place on this list, but I chose Lennon because his solo work was more interesting to me than McCartney's.
Great call on Kurt Weill!
19) Bob Halligan Jr
(http://www.apiaudio.com/wfts_tn_0707.jpg)
COLE PORTER
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Coleporter.jpg)
21) Paul Stanley & Gene Simmons
(http://mos.musicradar.com/images/Artist%20News/Gene%20and%20Paul-200-80.jpg)
The Lennon & McCartney of glam rock if you will. :teddyr:
IRVING BERLIN
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff259/allhallowsday/Irving_Berlin_NYWTS.jpg)
23) Kevin Cronin
(http://blogs.tampabay.com/80s/images/2007/08/02/kevincronin.jpg)
24. Shane McGowan
(http://corriecanuck.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/042104_shane.jpg)
Had to look around a bit to find a pic of him that wasn't too scary... :drink:
25) Lamont Dozier
(http://www.lamontdozier.com/images/biography/biomainpic2.jpg)
26.) Pete Townshend
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Petetownshend.jpg)
27) Andy McCoy
(http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/830/andygf6.jpg)
28. Bob Dylan
(http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/bob-dylan-5366.jpg)
(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q146/bloozboi/huey.jpg)
Huey Lewis- Sure, the songs may not 'mean' anything, but they're good little pop songs.
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee99/poolagirl/NeilDiamond.jpg)
Neil Diamond- Yes Neil, I too am a believer. :smile:
31? Don Dokken
(http://img12.nnm.ru/imagez/gallery/2/9/4/8/6/2948626e515e70b1656c9b11333ddb8b_full.jpg)
Quote from: HappyGilmore on October 13, 2008, 10:07:51 PM
Huey Lewis- Sure, the songs may not 'mean' anything, but they're good little pop songs.
Neil Diamond- Yes Neil, I too am a believer. :smile:
One at a time,
Happy, one at a time. You should get rid of
HUEY.
HAROLD ARLEN (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/HaroldArlen1960.jpg)
Quote from: Allhallowsday on October 14, 2008, 08:01:46 AM
Quote from: HappyGilmore on October 13, 2008, 10:07:51 PM
Huey Lewis- Sure, the songs may not 'mean' anything, but they're good little pop songs.
Neil Diamond- Yes Neil, I too am a believer. :smile:
One at a time, Happy, one at a time. You should get rid of HUEY.
1 at a time? Sorry. :bluesad:
Quote from: HappyGilmore on October 14, 2008, 11:31:03 AM
Quote from: Allhallowsday on October 14, 2008, 08:01:46 AM
Quote from: HappyGilmore on October 13, 2008, 10:07:51 PM
Huey Lewis- Sure, the songs may not 'mean' anything, but they're good little pop songs.
Neil Diamond- Yes Neil, I too am a believer. :smile:
One at a time, Happy, one at a time. You should get rid of HUEY.
1 at a time? Sorry. :bluesad:
Naw, AHD's just trying to trick you into giving up Huey Lewis. :wink: I already let Nukie2 post 5 at a time, so I have to let your 2 in.
I nominate:
33. Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass
(http://www.casualarts.net/Artscast/Shows/Music%20pictures/Bill_Monroe.gif)
I'm surprised to see so many unfamiliar names here... guys like Harold Arlen and Lamont Dozier. When I look them up, I realize I know the songs, just not the name of the writer. It's a shame the performer usually gets all the credit and the writer is forgotten.
34. Ashford & Simpson
(http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/partypictures/2003/12.11.03/images/asprey/AshfordSimpson_120803.jpg)
35) David Wilcox
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/9/23612024_71ed5428c6.jpg?v=0)
36. Bryan Ferry
(http://harpmagazine.com/img/news/20070302_Bryan_Ferry.jpg)
37. Paul Simon (the early years)
38. Eddie & Brian Holland
(http://www.michronicleonline.com/articlelive/content_images/10-31-2007-Motown-9-Eddie%20and%20Brian%20Holland.jpg)
39. Andrew Bird
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/Andrew_Bird_at_2007_Coachella_Valley_Music_and_Arts_Festival.jpg)
40. Brian Wilson
(http://www.wcfr1480.com/content-images/wimh/BrianWilson608.jpg)
Quote from: AndyC on October 14, 2008, 10:49:54 PM
35) David Wilcox
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/9/23612024_71ed5428c6.jpg?v=0)
Is that David Wilcox the folk singer? This is the last picture on his myspace page:
(http://b9.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/00316/92/34/316154329_m.gif)
Is that really the same guy, or is this a different David Wilcox??
Quote from: HappyGilmore on October 13, 2008, 10:07:51 PM
Neil Diamond- Yes Neil, I too am a believer. :smile:
Neil Diamond's good, but he's not the
King!
And no, I'm not talking about Elvis!
(http://images.musicclub.it/foto/ki/big/KING_DIAMOND.tif.big.jpg)
41. KING DIAMOND!
42. Blackie Lawless
(http://www.freewebs.com/kepparitalli-monocerus/Mailman%20ihanin%20blackie%20lawless.jpg)
Some may think King Diamond is a controversial choice, but for his genre and style he has crafted some excellent metal music and some amazing lyrics. That said, Blackie Lawless may be one some may scoff at more, but the man has written some beautiful music. Forget "f**k Like A Beast" - here is proof to back my statement up. :thumbup:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ifRjyISMxZM
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=P25hBk8LmUM&feature=related
Quote from: Rev. Powell on October 15, 2008, 02:29:19 PM
Is that really the same guy, or is this a different David Wilcox??
No, certainly not the folksinger, who I actually hadn't heard of until I went looking for a picture. This is David Wilcox the blues/rock legend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbTS7jS4UHw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw8S_Kv89IU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHo9y2-cqEE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsQRNbNCQdw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQvwvSOUViM
43, 44? Martin Gore - Depeche Mode
(http://www.releasemagazine.net/Pictures/gorerailscorbijn.jpg)
44(?) 45(?)
Hank Williams, Sr.
And just to anger some:
45(?) / 46(?)
Barry Manilow (mostly 1970s)
Too lazy to post pics, and neither are all that pretty anyway...
(http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll353/walkitout420_13/eminem.jpg)
Eminem- Don't know if people would agree, but he's written some decent songs.
Quote from: Derf on October 15, 2008, 08:40:43 PM
Barry Manilow (mostly 1970s)
No objection here. I've been thinking Manilow belongs on the list, although I wasn't going to be the one who nominated him. :teddyr:
47.) Lionel Richie
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/46/Richieslow.jpg)
I don't think he could miss during the 70s/80s.
Quote from: AndyC on October 15, 2008, 09:59:39 PM
Quote from: Derf on October 15, 2008, 08:40:43 PM
Barry Manilow (mostly 1970s)
No objection here. I've been thinking Manilow belongs on the list, although I wasn't going to be the one who nominated him. :teddyr:
Yeah, he gets ridiculed a lot, but he's really done some outstanding work, and I'm man enough to admit I'm wimpy enough to enjoy his music :question: :teddyr:.
48) Prince
(http://groovyvic.mu.nu/archives/images/prince1_50.jpg)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=L2PmmEObVLU
49. Robert Johnson
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bb/RobertJohson.png)
for the line "A woman is like a dresser--some man always ramblin' through its drawers."
50. Andy McCoy
(http://www.metal-temple.com/_data/interviews/hanoi_rocks/band2.jpg)
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c144/sarrrruh_/stevie-wonder.jpg)
Stevie Wonder
52. Bernie Taupin & Elton John - each was horrible alone, but terrific together.
53. HOAGY CARMICHAEL
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e9/HoagyCarmichael.jpg)
My personal hero, Michael Gira (Swans, Angels Of Light)
(http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq64/voltron_014/MichaelGira_BrownSuit_marq.jpg)
55. Van Morrison
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f7/VanMorrisonAstralWeeks.jpg)
56. GEORGE and IRA GERSHWIN
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/George_Gershwin_1937.jpg)
I was going to put George & Ira in if no one else did...
57. Leadbelly
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Leadbelly_with_Accordeon.jpg)
Legend has it he wrote a song that convinced the governor of Louisiana to parole him... for murder!
DUKE ELLINGTON
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Richard_Nixon_and_Duke_Ellington_1969.jpg)
59. Willie Nelson
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/WillieNelson.jpg)
60) Steve Harris
(http://www.spirit-of-metal.com/membre_groupe/photo/Steve_Harris-4353.jpg)
61. John Lee Hooker
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/JohnLeeHooker1997.jpg)
62. Shel Silverstein
(http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/models/shelsilverstein/images/guitar.jpg)
63. Randy Newman
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/RandyNewman_nojhf_May12008.jpg)
JEROME KERN (Who wrote "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," "The Way You Look Tonight," and one of my favorites, "All The Things You Are...")
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff259/allhallowsday/JEROMEKERN.jpg)
65. Paul Williams
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kT7uQmtee4M/RnmRVh4r3FI/AAAAAAAAAk0/-uXkw8xPUfM/s1600/paulwilliams.jpg)
66. David Coverdale
(http://image.listen.com/img/356x237/2/1/9/1/831912_356x237.jpg)
No.67 - Nicky Wire from "Manic Street Preachers"
68.) Willie Dixon
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2a/Willie_Dixon.jpg)
Famous for the songs he wrote for Howlin Wolf & Muddy Waters, as well as those he recorded under his own name.
69. Ray Davies
(http://www.harpmagazine.com/img/news/20080117_Ray_Davies.jpg)
70. ALEX CHILTON
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff259/allhallowsday/ALEXCHILTON.jpg)
71. Curtis Mayfield
(http://www.kalamu.com/bol/wp-content/content/images/curtis%20mayfield%2005.jpg)
72. Lou Reed
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/Lou_reed.jpg)
73. NEIL YOUNG
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Neil_Young_2008_Firenze_02.jpg)
74. Gordon Lightfoot
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Gordon_Lightfoot.jpg)
75. CAROLE KING
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e2/Carole_King_2.jpg)
Already had Carole King way back near the beginning of the thread.
75. Sly Stone
(http://blogs.sfweekly.com/shookdown/slystone460.jpg)
76. Antonio Carlos Jobim
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b3/Tom_cigar.jpg)
77. Joe Strummer
(http://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/media/image/h/n/Meeting_Joe_Strummer_(o)_large.jpg)
78.) Ray Stevens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIPv9AtZ2zE
I would also nominate Weird Al, but since he rarely writes his own music, I'm not sure whether he qualifies.
79. Chris DeGarmo/Geoff Tate (Queensryche)
(http://www.users.totalise.co.uk/~bigoleg/queensryche/pictures/metal_hammer_chris_degarmo_geoff_tate.jpg)
80. Bruce Springsteen
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Bruce_springsteen_front.jpg)
He's been a bit inconsistent over his career, but GREETINGS FROM ASBURY PARK and NEBRASKA both contain multiple masterpieces, and he wrote some of the top pop-rock anthems in BORN TO RUN and BORN IN THE USA.
No.81 - Alex Turner Arctic Monkeys and Last Shadow Puppets
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7XTULcETGqk
82. Burton Cummings
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd2/Wonderfulchoice/BurtonCummings.jpg)
83. Elvis Costello
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/Elvis_Costello_15_June_2005.jpg)
84. Rick Nielsen
(http://www.trickworld.com/images/A2.jpg)
85. Leonard Cohen
(http://www.enjoyfrance.com/images/stories/world/entertainment/Leonard-Cohen.jpg)
86. Midge Ure
(http://www.music-atlas.com/images/artists/midge_ure_1.jpg)
Looks like it's just you and me, Circus.
87. Patti Smith
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/88/PattiSmithHorses.jpg)
88. Stiv Bators
(http://www.mcnblogs.com/mcindie/archives/images/punk_stiv_bators1979.jpg)
89. Have we really gotten to number 89 with no mention of Paul Simon?
He's short, so maybe he just got overlooked. . . :teddyr:
Quote from: Derf on November 03, 2008, 10:40:56 PM
Have we really gotten to number 89 with no mention of Paul Simon?
PS was #37. The full list up until now is in the first post.
89. Richard Thompson
(http://www.richardthompson-music.com/images/Sausalito_default.jpg)
90. Jonathan Cain
(http://www.steveperryfans.com/press/rlineapr8402.jpg)
No.91 - Paul Weller, the "Modfather"
(http://powerlinead.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/paul-weller.jpg)
92) Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys)
(http://www.austinchronicle.com/binary/bd0a/music_TCB-37228.jpeg)
No.93 - Alex Capranos, from Franz Ferdinand
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l12/envielestrange/Alex_Kapranos.jpg)
Quote from: Rev. Powell on November 04, 2008, 10:51:26 AM
Quote from: Derf on November 03, 2008, 10:40:56 PM
Have we really gotten to number 89 with no mention of Paul Simon?
PS was #37. The full list up until now is in the first post.
Oops! I went through that list and still overlooked him!
Okay, then, have we gotten to number 94 with no mention of Billy Ray Cyrus? Good! That's as it should be; he stinks.
Instead, how about
94.) David Byrne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYbUCvz1LYE
95. Jack White - although the songs are usually credited to "The White Stripes", I suspect he writes most of them.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b7/Jack_%26_Meg%2C_On_The_Bus.jpg)
96. Jerry Only
(http://alaskanabroad.typepad.com/an_alaskan_abroad/Jerry%20Only%201-tm.jpg)
97. One most here won't know, but he really was both an incredibly gifted musician and lyricist:
Mark Heard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6PimLoVh5U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORWQNox99iA&feature=related
On this one, he's actually playing all the instruments as well as doing vocals. He had to pretty much start up his own record label to do the album.
I was a bit wrong in the above post about Heard starting a label to produce his album. The label was started by another of my favorite singer/songwriters, so I'll just nominate him for number 98.
98. Tonio K.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfrtNhQWWvQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00ZBF4XvIjw&feature=related
99. Leon Russell
(http://www.sailwinds.org/images/russimage.jpg)
100. Kris Kristofferson ("Sunday Morning Comin' Down", "Help Me Make it Through the Night", "Me and Bobby McGee", etc.)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Kris_Kristofferson_SXSW_2006_crop.jpg)
That completes the list! You can keep adding honorable mentions if you want.
Honorable mention: Jimmy Webb. I was going to add the writer of the beautiful "Galveston" until I found out he also wrote "MacArthur Park" ("Someone left the cake out in the rain...") :buggedout: