Who is the most intelligent song lyricist who ever lived?

[mcrickson]

My vote goes to Howard Devoto. Who is in your opinion?

 

[VacancyForABackscrubber]

Um, I don't know, what about Morrissey?

 

[Raised on prisoner's aid]

Um, I don't know, what about Morrissey?

This.

 

[snowfallsoon]

i don't know about EVER...
but my vote goes to John Darnielle

 

[penfoldsfive]

well im a homer on this one, but what about richey edwards?

 

[Robert Neville]

well im a homer on this one, but what about richey edwards?

Yes.

 

[SomeFormOfSusan]

Leonard Cohen is amazing.

 

[Scarlet Ibis]

I don't know if only one can be picked because there are so many ways to be clever. Certainly Morrissey's in the top five. He's number one for me, actually.

 

[snowfallsoon]

I'm waiting for someone to say Johnny Cash

 

[Corrissey]

I'm waiting for someone to say Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash

Tho, my vote goes to Pete Townsend*
*I do not know his IQ

 

[j0wled]

I like Martin Fry from ABC. He made me laugh. But also think?

 

[Pachinko]

I have two- Bob Dylan and Neil Finn.

 

[j0wled]

Neil Finn.

When Neil is on form he's fantastic, but there have been misses. Chocolate Cake is infamously jarring and ugly, lyrically. Sometimes he pushes the whimsy button too hard.

 

[Pachinko]

When Neil is on form he's fantastic, but there have been misses. Chocolate Cake is infamously jarring and ugly, lyrically. Sometimes he pushes the whimsy button too hard.

j0wled- I agree with you on that one. I wasn't a fan of Chocolate Cake either! I know what you mean, though, regarding the whimsy factor.

 

[j0wled]

j0wled- I agree with you on that one. I wasn't a fan of Chocolate Cake either! I know what you mean, though, regarding the whimsy factor.

As far as the family goes, he's well ahead of his son, or Tim. Not that Tim's awful. But I don't really care for Liam at all.

 

[Pachinko]

As far as the family goes, he's well ahead of his son, or Tim. Not that Tim's awful. But I don't really care for Liam at all.

LOL. I know what you mean. I had the good fortune of seeing Split Enz back in 1982 when they came to San Diego, and they wore electric blue glittery suits! They were promoting their album, "True Colours". Tim was the frontman, and poor Neil looked so scared. Anyway, that was my Split Enz experience. I've seen Neil many times since and he never disappoints. (well, he did disappoint when he had Neil Young as his guest performer one time. Not really a Neil Young fan. )

Yes, Tim can kind of be out there! I did buy Liam's CD, (I'll Be Lightening) and I really didn't care for it. I thought he might be a chip off the old block but I was sooo wrong. Oh well. It's so good to chat with ya! Kia Ora!

 

[mick ransommich]

My vote goes to Nigel Blackwell (Half Man Half Biscuit)

For over 25 years he has enhanced my life with his words...

Everything's A.O.R (adult orientated rock)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx6VQfkZt7k

'Bubble perm
Ever since your bubble perm
I’ve gone ex-directory
Just in case you need me

Swivel chair
In your leather swivel chair
You can turn your back on me
Leave me in the out-tray

She’s the main man in the office in the city
And she treats me like I’m just another lackey
But I can put a tennis racket up against my face
And pretend that I am Kendo Nagasaki

Executive
Think you’re all executive
But I could still upset you with
Millican and Nesbitt

Acumen
Loads of business acumen
But can you remember when
You would die for Flintlock

Mary oh Mary
Quite ordinary
Tell me how does your CD collection grow
With Sade and Whitney
Vandross and T’Pau
Everything’s AOR

She’s the main man in the office in the city
And she treats me like I’m just another lackey
But I can put a tennis racket up against my face
And pretend that I am Kendo Nagasaki..'

 

[Uncleskinny]

That guy out of 2 Unlimited was by far the most intelligent lyricist ever. However, his actual lyrics were fecking appalling.

Peter

 

[EPbabe]

What's the difference between best and most intelligent? Anyway, my views won't really change on this, so I'll go for Leonard Cohen and Morrissey.

 

[Uncleskinny]

The most intelligent I've heard (not the most intelligent who ever lived - I'm sure there was a 19th century Ecuadorean I've not heard of who was astounding) - is Neil Hannon. Exhibit one - the lyrics to 'Charge', bulging with knowing historical references, and likening the Crimean War to getting into a lady's knickers. Amazing.

"Ladysmith wants you forthwith to come to her relief
Burn your briefs you leave for France tonight
Carefully cut the straps of the booby-traps
and set the captives free
But don't shoot 'til you see her big blue eyes
The sound the charge (breathe your final breath)
and charge into the valley of death
Cannon to the left and cannon to the right
they'll go bang bang bang all night
We'll fight them on the beaches
yes we'll fill'm full of lead
fighting naked in the open air
We'll fight them in the kitchen, in the bathroom
in the garden shed
fighting the good fight any-fighting-where
So sound the charge (breathe your final breath)
and charge into the valley of death
Cannon to the left and cannon to the right
They'll go bang bang bang all night
There'll be a cannon to the left
and cannon to the right
They'll go bang bang bang bang
bang bang bang all night...
Hey baby, I lurve it when you talk sense to me
'specially when you say lurve and let lurve
I hear what your sayin'
I have in ma hand a piece o'paper
that says let's make lurve, not
this
phoney war thang
(we're goin' over the top)
Hah, you're so sexy when you're angry honey-child
(Roaming around in no-man's
land and gettin' caught in your
barbed wire
Hey baby gonna set your village on fire...)
..Come into my parlour said the spider to the fly
Come inside and make yourself at home
CHARGE, I'm gonna hit you where it hurts
CHARGE, so sound the red alert!
There'll be a cannon to the left...
..and cannon to the right
(the hills are alive with the sound of)
BANG BANG
BANG BANG
BANG BANG
BANG BANG
BANG BANG
BANG BANG
BANG BANG BANG
all night!

Peter