Steve Earle, Steve Forbert, Rosanne Cash, Bob Mould, Shelby Lynne, to name a few, IMHO of course. For my money though, John Lennon (both as a Beatle and solo artist) was probably the first (and best) "insightful" lyricist in popular music. The guy totally exposed himself from his Beatle days (Help!, Norwegion Wood, In My Life, etc.) through his solo work (Mother, Imagine, Mind Games, etc.). Whoa!
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?
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?