Anyone still do insightful or intelligent lyrics?

I'm a big fan of lyrics. I don't know about qualifying that with the word "intelligent" as there are some really silly lyrics I enjoy.....I guess those are also really witty as well, so "intelligence" does come into play there.

In no particular order here are a few I enjoy for one reason or another:

Tom Waits (a master of the word!)
Tori Amos
Gillian Welch
Tresspassers William
Patty Griffin
Rickie Lee Jones
Joni Mitchell
Dar Williams
Laurie Anderson
Patricial Barber
Jim White
Patti Smith
16 Horsepower

Just yesterday was enjoying some pretty fresh new music from a group called "Bright Eyes". Not for everyone (and VERY polarizing in that respect I'd bet), but the lyrics were great. The album is called "Lifted or The Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground ". Again, not an overall recommendation, but appropriate to this thread IMO.

Marco

Narchy and all:
You can check out a couple tracks ofChris Smither here. A little like the folks you mentioned. Blues-folk in lighting Hopkins-John Hurt line. Pretty decent writer and a great live show if you ever get the chance.

I remain,

In general I don't listen to lyrics, because for me the music is where it's at.

"Institutionalized" by Suicidal Tendencies on the other hand is an entirely different story. The words to that song are unforgettable...that is, if you can decipher them.

All i wanted was a damn pepsi.

In this day and age, the lyrics of VNV Nation's Ronan Harris seem to really speak to the disillusionment and frustration that a existentialist feels while looking back into the society that surrounds us. They are as intelligent and timely at this point in my life as was Bad Religion's when I was a kid, hearing Against the Grain for the first time and realizing that their were others who don't take what it spoonfed to us at face value but rather form their own opinions.