Greatest Songwriter of all time


I was reading the Dylan post and it got me thinking. There are many great songwriters that come to mind, my expertise/knowledge is primarily with rock music. If you could only pick three, what would they be? My vote for best lyrics goes to:

Jim Morrison
Bruce Springsteen
Elvis Costello

Best music goes to:

Mark Knopfler
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Frank Zappa
jeffloistarca

@backwash  , unfortunately I am not too familiar with Lyle Lovett's work, but

You can't talk about song writes without Steve Earle or Lyle Lovitt

I am in total agreement with you as related to Steve Earle's song writing--so much so that I previously felt compelled to talk about him on this thread.

I have a great deal of respect for Jackson Browne's writing creativity, and I've always thought that Michael Timmins wrote some interesting lyrics. 

Impressive lists. I agree: Leonard Cohen, no one else even close. But I’m shocked no one has mentioned Mary Chaplin Carpenter.