who is the best song writer?

[joswift]

Burt Bacharach

[rocket]

If you can answer this question, you don't listen to enough music and I pity you.

[Kwon]

If you can answer this question, you don't listen to enough music and I pity you.

This
Beside Steve Harris et all, I'd have to say the two best song writers would be Tonetta and Reh Dogg

Tonetta - Let me be your Drain Tonight

Reh Dogg - Why must i cry

Bonus

Vennu Mallesh - It's My Life Whatever I Wanna Do

[CalvinH]

If you can answer this question, you don't listen to enough music and I pity you.

Great answer!

[Agnostic007]

Desmond Child has quite a catalog

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_written_by_Desmond_Child

well done, I left out non singers like Burt Bacharach Paul Williams etc

Don Henley... Dude could write and sing. With the Eagles... mega hits. Without the Eagles, mega hits

[Agnostic007]

Carol King
James Taylor
Smokey Robinson
Stevie Wonder
Billy Joel
Bob Dylan

....and the list could go on forever......like Fortress said above it`s mostly who`s the best to you personally.

Yes

[Agnostic007]

Can't let Dolly Parton and Wille Nelson go without mention. 

[Humble Narcissist]

Can't let Dolly Parton and Wille Nelson go without mention.

Good call.

[Agnostic007]

Good call.

 

any Motown fans?

Holland–Dozier–Holland
Stevie Wonder
Smokey Robinson

[Agnostic007]

Burt Bacharach

And who is the guy who wrote for Peter Cetera, and a score of others... David Foster. Never made any lists... but he sure made some stars. 

[Humble Narcissist]

any Motown fans?

Holland–Dozier–Holland
Stevie Wonder
Smokey Robinson

Stevie Wonder was mentioned but yes.

[Agnostic007]

Stevie Wonder was mentioned but yes.

I like the original question no matter how it was phrased. We seem to all agree there is no "best Song writer". The internet lists Dylan as "The best" I disagree only because I am me. While I acknowledge him as a good song writer, and well respected, an example of stellar song writing is Joan Baez' Diamonds and Rust, pointing out Dylan was a user. And does volume or quality make the best song writer. For example, Janis Ian who wrote a phenomenal song that resonated with a decade of people (At Seventeen) and won a grammy for it, was inspired by Don McLeans "Vincent" a masterpiece in and of itself. Either of these singer songwriters could easily be in the mix save their number of hits... It's a fascinating   discussion... But I think the best answer to "Who is the best songwriter?" is
There isn't a best and that translates into a great thing for us

[Agnostic007]

Stevie Wonder was mentioned but yes.

Barring hits, the list, this thread... I'd love to hear your favorite Singer/songwriters

[Agnostic007]

Was about to go to sleep and Rocket Man came on.. and It got me thinking.. How could I have missed Taupin/John? So I am adding them to the mix

The fact Bernie sends his lyrics to Elton with no notes, and Elton interprets them into the hits they are, is pretty phenomenal.

[oldtimer1]

Was about to go to sleep and Rocket Man came on.. and It got me thinking.. How could I have missed Taupin/John? So I am adding them to the mix

The fact Bernie sends his lyrics to Elton with no notes, and Elton interprets them into the hits they are, is pretty phenomenal.

They are back together again and working on a new album.

[oldtimer1]

Barry Manilow. He writes the songs that makes the young girls cry. He writes the songs, he writes the songs.

[dj181]

And here is the modern day troubadour

Fuck yeah

[dj181]

well done, I left out non singers like Burt Bacharach Paul Williams etc

Don Henley... Dude could write and sing. With the Eagles... mega hits. Without the Eagles, mega hits

Williams wrote one of the best love song's EVER

And if you don't agree you can suck my big ass dick bitch

[pamith]

Till Lindemann

[dj181]

Williams wrote one of the best love song's EVER

And if you don't agree you can suck my big ass dick bitch

jesus!!! what a romantic touching video

but hey! i cant stay in this realm too long as it makes me feel too soft and weak so ima gonna go nuts on the barbell curls with a blind fucking rage and film it

here's another one and ima watch it with clinched teeth

i can stay in this realm a little bit longer but not much...

darling being close to you made all my dreams come true HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!!!!!

[dj181]

ok i can be a little fucking pussy a little while longer

my God the lyrics to this song

Jesus Christ

The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave

[dj181]

and one more

i gotta get the hell outta this realm

THIS FUCKING LYRIC GODDAMN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Making love with you
Has left me peaceful, warm, and tired
What more could I ask
There's nothing left to be desired
Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak
So sleep, silent angel
Go to sleep

[Humble Narcissist]

Barring hits, the list, this thread... I'd love to hear your favorite Singer/songwriters

Most were mentioned in this thread. If I were in the entertainment industry I would would want to only write songs, not perform them. Let someone else go on world tours and wear their asses out while I sit at home and write. Same with the movie industry.

[wes]

Barry Manilow. He writes the songs that makes the young girls cry. He writes the songs, he writes the songs.

[Cook]

Billy Joe Shaver was telling a story once.He was in Nashville and he found out where Hank Cochran lived so he road his motorcycle to Hanks house and drove right up into the yard and he got off and started yelling Cochran Cochran! So Hank comes to the door and Billy Joe yells “Some say you’re the greatest country songwriter some say I am. I say you come out here and we will settle this man to man!”
Well Hank says “I got a better idea how bout you come inside and we’ll drink some whiskey “
Billy Joe said “Ok”
And they were friends from them on.