Blur

[c1973]

Nah. As much as I like Clapton, he was/is a great....nah, phenomenal guitarist not a great songwriter......a good one mind, just not great.

Chris Martin and Gary Lightbody aren't in the same league for me. They're in the Noel Gallagher close but no cigar camp. :thup:

 

[Jimaroid]

Not forgetting. David Bowie, Kate Bush, Elton John, Joe Strummer, John Lydon, Richard Thomson, Nick Drake, Pete Townshend, Neil Tenant (and the other one), Bryan Ferry, Brothers Gibb...

I know it's a subjective topic but a fun one.

 

[Hacker Khan]

It's a bit of a pointless argument as everyone will disagree on what makes a 'great song'. For instance I could argue that Mark Hollis from Talk Talk has written at least 2 albums, Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock, that are genuinely timeless and reveal new things every tine you listen to them. And they are of such breathtaking beauty, ambition, influence and perfection that they trump anything the so called 'classic songwriters' that are stuck in the traditional verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge including guitar solo, chorus, repeat until bored stupid, have ever some up with.

But as I always say. other opinion are available. Some people don't want to invest time and effort in listening to an album several times, and want an instant fix of a catchy chorus. Which is fair enough. Different strokes and all that.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Yip, some too talent on these shores

Of that there is no doubt at all

Seems god another bunch comign through now as well - mainly solo singers at the moment

Bands look a bit thin on the ground

 

[c1973]

It's a bit of a pointless argument as everyone will disagree on what makes a 'great song'. For instance I could argue that Mark Hollis from Talk Talk has written at least 2 albums, Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock, that are genuinely timeless and reveal new things every tine you listen to them. And they are of such breathtaking beauty, ambition, influence and perfection that they trump anything the so called 'classic songwriters' that are stuck in the traditional verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge including guitar solo, chorus, repeat until bored stupid, have ever some up with.

But as I always say. other opinion are available. Some people don't want to invest time and effort in listening to an album several times, and want an instant fix of a catchy chorus. Which is fair enough. Different strokes and all that.

That's why I think it's an entertaining debate as opposed to pointless argument. ALL the opinions are valid.

Talk Talk were very good as well, but not everyone has perhaps listened to them, they might get a new fan or two from folks reading your post. It's all good.

Tilbrook and Differ not mentioned yet?

 

[Pin-seeker]

Most certainly up there

Even people like Gary Lightbody and Chris Martin will end up bejng classed as top song writers - even Barlow

I was joking with Barlow

 

[Deleted member 15344]

That's why I think it's an entertaining debate as opposed to pointless argument. ALL the opinions are valid.

Talk Talk were very good as well, but not everyone has perhaps listened to them, they might get a new fan or two from folks reading your post. It's all good.

Tilbrook and Differ not mentioned yet?

Not really fans of squezze

How about Robert Smith

Big Fan of Depeche Mode ( Martin Gore )

Beautiful South

New Order

 

[Pin-seeker]

Probably not everyone's cup of tea but Jay-Z is excellent.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Probably not everyone's cup of tea but Jay-Z is excellent.

Not really the greatest songwriter this country has produced through is he

 

[Hacker Khan]

That's why I think it's an entertaining debate as opposed to pointless argument. ALL the opinions are valid.

Talk Talk were very good as well, but not everyone has perhaps listened to them, they might get a new fan or two from folks reading your post. It's all good.

Tilbrook and Differ not mentioned yet?

Well if you are thinking of trying out Talk Talk then go for Spirit of Eden first, then Laughing Stock once you like Spirit. Spirit is challenging at first but give it chance, it reveals new things on every listen. Don't go straight into Laughing Stock. A lot of people will be familiar with their early stuff (Talk Talk, It's My Life) but I can not think of any other band in which their early stuff is so different from their later stuff. And the only thing that connects them is his voice, if it wasn't for that you could not tell it was the same band.

As for Squeeze then good call, if you are looking for 'traditional songwriters' then there are very few who can hold a candle to them.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Good shout on Squeeze and as a wordsmith I'd chuck my old mucker Fish into the mix

 

[Pin-seeker]

Not really the greatest songwriter this country has produced through is he

Not to worry :ears:

 

[Hacker Khan]

Not to worry :ears:

Well if you are opening it up globally then I give you Brian Wilson. And I win.

Or possibly Neil Finn from Crowded House. Yes he's a bit middle of the road, but what a middle it is.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Mark Knopfler is another that comes to mind - that and a fantastic guitarist

 

[Pin-seeker]

Well if you are opening it up globally then I give you Brian Wilson. And I win.

Or possibly Neil Finn from Crowded House. Yes he's a bit middle of the road, but what a middle it is.

Crowded house
Some of your earlier posts make more sense now :rofl::rofl::rofl:

 

[Jimaroid]

Well if you are opening it up globally then I give you Brian Wilson. And I win.

Pff! Settle down, Dylan by a long way.

 

[c1973]

Well if you are thinking of trying out Talk Talk then go for Spirit of Eden first, then Laughing Stock once you like Spirit. Spirit is challenging at first but give it chance, it reveals new things on every listen. Don't go straight into Laughing Stock. A lot of people will be familiar with their early stuff (Talk Talk, It's My Life) but I can not think of any other band in which their early stuff is so different from their later stuff. And the only thing that connects them is his voice, if it wasn't for that you could not tell it was the same band.

As for Squeeze then good call, if you are looking for 'traditional songwriters' then there are very few who can hold a candle to them.

I might give their later stuff a wee listen then, very much a fan of the two early songs you mention. :thup:

See, You thought this would be a 'pointless argument' at first and here it's a good wee thread (shamelessly hijacked...twice by my reckoning, right enough) with folks complimenting others choices.......with the exception of Gary Barlow! ......just keep away from Billy Bragg and other leftie nonsense and it'll all be good.

 

[Hacker Khan]

I might give their later stuff a wee listen then, very much a fan of the two early songs you mention. :thup:

See, You thought this would be a 'pointless argument' at first and here it's a good wee thread (shamelessly hijacked...twice by my reckoning, right enough) with folks complimenting others choices.......with the exception of Gary Barlow! ......just keep away from Billy Bragg and other leftie nonsense and it'll all be good.

Billy Bragg, good call again. You'll have too go a long way to beat Levi Stubbs Tears, New England, Tank Park Salute, all classic songwriting I think you'll all agree.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Crowded house
Some of your earlier posts make more sense now :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Don't Dream It's Over, Better Be Home Soon, Fall At Your Feet, just about all of Together Alone. Cast, OCS and their ilk are not fit to lace his boots.

 

[Pin-seeker]

Don't Dream It's Over, Better Be Home Soon, Fall At Your Feet, just about all of Together Alone. Cast, OCS and their ilk are not fit to lace his boots.

Of course they're not