Top 10 Male Singer Songwriters

I have no problems with that list... except for Neil Diamond. While I can appreciate his ability, his voice just gets on my nerves.

Oh, no! I love Neil Diamond's voice -- it is what makes him incredibly unique. He has a new album coming out in November that, I believe, is entirely acoustic. I can't wait!

I did find the choice of Hank Williams Sr. interesting, although I did a double take because I thought at first you put Jr. there. :lol:

I would have had to slap you silly for that one.

Williams Sr.'s granddaughter, Holly, released her first album last year, and I have really enjoyed it. It's more folk country - no twang or honky tonk, but it's good stuff. She also pays homage to her grandfather in the single "Sometimes." If you haven't heard any of it, you should check it out. :-)

Hey Carla!

Oh, yeah, Sr. made the rules of country songwriting while Jr. tried to just keep up and when he failed he went a little harder into the rock vein but didn't find much success there. It must be tough to be son of an icon. It's hard to beat the tight, witty, lyric and lilting, intoxicating, melody of "Kaw-Liga."

I'm listening to Holly Williams right now via Yahoo! Music (love that service!) and "Sometimes" is playing. It sounds good. Thanks for the heads up!

Being that I don't know most of that work very well I obviously disagree with some of them. My favorite on that list is Billy Joel.

Personally my favorite Male Singer Songwriter is:

Tom Chaplin - Keane (I'm not sure he writes his stuff but you'd never know by the way he sings it)
Dave Grohl - Foo Fighters (he's a genius)

I'll have to check out your favorites, Robin!

I am going to mention two of my favorites.

Stevie Wonder. In terms of pure talent as a songwriter and musician, he has stood the test of time. He has been able to put his mark on almost every song-- when you hear it, you know that it is a Stevie Wonder song.

Paul Simon. From his roots as Simon and Garfunkel and then evolving at least over two generations, I think he has shown both talent and flexibility.

Elton John. You can criticize him for being overly "pop". Both so is Neil Diamond. Again, Elton John has been an icon for at least two generations.

Err, three of my favorites...

Another musically themed post so soon, David? Well, it probably is a good idea. It may be that our commenters so far are forgetting the criteria of "quality of song" and "perfection of performance."

The song consists of lyrics and musical notes composed together to be pleasing together. Today, there are many songs that just honestly sound like they were thrown together. The lyrics are either 1)repetitive 2)self indulgent 3)foul or 4)non-sensical. The music often has no life. Speaking of performance: many artists are just doing a horrible job. They don't care about their audience. They care about dollars.

This is going to sound really crazy, but is it any wonder that these very artists are the ones whose music will be adapted (or not) to be played as "elevator music?"

Jeff -- Thanks for sharing your interesting choices and I thank you for also explaining why you like them.

Paula -- I agree with you! If you read my Paul Anka Rock Swings review -- especially the "Tears in Heaven" section -- you will see how much we are on the same page about current music. Then read my Ruination of Imagination piece for another bit of a rant on the same vein of how the old music is better than the new. :mrgreen:

Erik (my boyfriend) has a problem with your list. He thinks John Lennon should be on your list. Maybe he'll come back and voice his opinion but I thought I'd let you know.

Although he laughed at me for Dave Grohl and the lead singer of Keane.

But it doesn't mean that there are no good singer/songwriters in today's music generation.

They'll have to stand up to the test of time, just as the ones on David's list have. At their career peak, they were also in the midst of lackluster talents who were only out to make money.

Don't write off newer singer/songwriters just because they haven't had the time to carve their own niche. :-)

I'd rank Brian Wilson higher, based on the strength of "Pet Sounds". I'd also rank Tom Waits higher, but that's just me. Where's Jackson Browne on the overall list? And keep an eye out for more recent artists like Rufus Wainwright and Jack Johnson.

Robin -- I picked Paul over John because Paul wrote "Yesterday" and John didn't no matter what the writing credit says. It's hard to imagine a more popular song over the last 30 years. I also believe Paul found more songwriting success than John did before he died and while John may have been the grittier talent, Paul wrote the more memorable melodies.

Carla -- I think Paula's point was my list was purposefully backward-looking from this moment in time and in 10 years the list would likely change. Paula also was not aware of Jeff's comments when she wrote her comment because they were both held in moderation together and then simultaneously published later despite the different in time stamps.

Ron -- It's nice to see you here and thanks for the great comment! I agree Brian Wilson is a big talent, but he has mainly survived on a 40-year old catalogue of songs that still bring him deserved fame while many others on the list changed and modified their styles to create longer careers over a wider path of music styles. I agree Tom Waits is a great and mostly unappreciated Superstar talent, but which guy would you push lower and why? Jackson Browne always seemed like a meek and uncertain talent without heat. He's in the James Taylor mold -- fun, but forgettable. Not much there to ignite or inspire.

Wheres Mr Lennon?

I think his omission stinks, an undoubted talent that the world is sorely missing!!

Also, I dont know about Todd Rundgren, but I guess its all down to personal preference. Theres no such thing as a comprehensive, definitive list!!

Lennon is a fine choice, Robert!

David,

What about Don McLean?

Roberta Flack's number one classic "killing me softly (with his song)", written by Fox & Gimbel, was inspired by a Don McLean live performance. This song is as good a tribute to an artist's ability as I've heard, and says it all, really, about quality of song and perfection in performance.

I think McLean's body of work is superior to all the artists on your list except for Bob Dylan, Hank Williams Snr and Billy Joel.

I would be interested in your reasons for not including him.

Don McLean's effect and power is limited over time. He does not belong on the list in any way and certainly not at the expense of the company of John Denver or Neil Diamond.

Fair enough, but name a song ever written about John Denver or Neil Diamond.

WHERE IS JOHN LENNON!?

AND HANK WILLIAMS SR. IS A GREAT PICK, ALTHOUGH I'M NOT SO SURE ABOUT THE ORDERO OF THE LIST.

LENNON DEFINITELY GOES ABOVE PAUL.

AND IMAGINE IS A GREATER SONG THAN YESTERDAY.

David Bowie is one of my personal favourites...

and IMO - Lennon > McCartney

Nick Cave is great too

ryan adams anybody?

I certainly agree with you on Todd Rundgren. Only he's #1 on my list! Thanks!

Great list,
Bubb

Thanks, Bubb, and welcome to Urban Semiotic! :grin:

lennon tops the list. no games. this is serious!

Thanks for the vote, jason, it was a hard list to create!

This is a great list, but WRONG! Where is Paul Simon? He eclipses several of those artists up there with both his collaboration with Art Garfunkel and his solo work. He is by far one of the greatest American male singer songwriters and I think he should be added!

Who would you drop from the list to add Paul Simon, Trevor?