Who gets your vote for the greatest songwriter of the last 100 years?

Saturday 03rd May, 09:28 AM JST

Latest 15 of 23 Total Comments Show All

capone at 06:31 PM JST - 3rd May

jimmy page/robert plant
nightflesh at 06:33 PM JST - 3rd May

You have to look at it more broadly. Songwriting is more than just writing and releasing yourself. There are many people who have written songs for other people to sing. John Fogerty is one example. He has written more music for other artists than for himself. Others like Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Mick Jagger, The Bee Gees, Roger Waters, Freddie Mercury, Willy Nelson, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Gerry House, and so many more have all written music for other artists that have become #1 hits worldwide.

It would be a tie with John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
PuffinMuffin at 07:32 PM JST - 3rd May

I agree with some of the choices here, but I'm thinking Ennio Morricone for now.
gamecat at 02:58 AM JST - 4th May

It is too long a period of time to name one. Last 50 years would be easier.

How are we supposed to comment on the song writing ability of people who lived in entirely different times to us and wrote for different reasons...

I am liking the suggestions so far though, and would add...

Liam Howlett, Noel Gallagher, Richard D. James, Seasick Steve, Nick Cave, Joy Division, Inspiral Carpets, Happy Mondays, etc etc.
capone at 09:06 AM JST - 4th May

nightflesh is right, along with this: most songs are co-written, with one guy writing lyrics and the other music, so this is not a great question, the way it's worded...elton john/bernie taupin being a prime example...less so for lennon/mccartney because they shared both lyric and music
presidentbaka at 02:03 PM JST - 4th May

Well, let's just say, it certainly ain't any Japanese song writer, that's for damn sure!
anderstungtwist at 07:16 PM JST - 4th May

The original rapper, Robert Zimmerman.
lipscombe at 02:12 PM JST - 5th May

Albert Ayler
user1684 at 10:33 PM JST - 5th May

Tom Waits
Altria at 10:12 AM JST - 7th May

Rolf Harris
frontandcentre at 03:16 PM JST - 7th May

Morrisey & Marr
papasmurfinjapan at 11:44 AM JST - 8th May

Lennon/McCartney, Jagger/Richards, Page/Plant, John/Taupin, Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson are all on my list as the greatest, but if I had to choose only one (pair) it would have to go to Lennon/McCartney.
papasmurfinjapan at 11:45 AM JST - 8th May

Oh, and Neil Young!!!
Nessie at 03:06 PM JST - 8th May

Lennon/Ono. Just kidding. Dylan -- vastly overrated. A hack of a musician. Neil Young -- good musician and music writer, crap singer and lyricist; overrated

Morrissey/Marr is an intriguing suggestion. Marr is more of a guitarist than a songwriter. Cole Porter, Gershwin, Lennon/McCartney are all good ideas.
Nessie at 10:38 AM JST - 9th May

And an almost-ran for Ray Davies.