Who is the most intelligent song lyricist who ever lived?

[Have-A-Go Merchant]

Howard Devoto
Marc Almond
Nick Cave
Alan Vega

 

[IDon'tOweYouAnything23]

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

I might just agree with you on that one

 

[Happy Maudlin]

Jarvis Cocker

 

[Reggie-Kray]

He's already been mentioned earlier, and Moz aside, I have to agree that I love Billy Bragg. Lovers Town Revisited, St. Swithin's Day and Man In The Iron Mask are all great examples. Totally unique guy

 

[prisoner77]

Tom Waits..

 

[lnathan]

Tom Waits..

I was just going to say how strange nobody has mentioned him yet. He is the most intelligent lyricist and musician there is in my opinion. Strongly followed by Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave.

 

[Worm]

I think part of being intelligent as a lyricist is understanding the medium well enough to know that good lyrics aren't necessarily "smart" lyrics. For that matter, they need not be lyrics at all. A yelp or a sigh in the right places can be just as effective as a polished line. So, for me, Morrissey is the finest lyricist. Not because his lyrics make me think of Byron's poetry, but because he combined the best of a bookish sensibility with amazing pop instincts.

Other "smart" lyricists I would put up there would be Robert Forster, Grant McLennan, Bob Dylan, Chuck D., and Lennon/McCartney.

 

[Happy Maudlin]

I think part of being intelligent as a lyricist is understanding the medium well enough to know that good lyrics aren't necessarily "smart" lyrics. For that matter, they need not be lyrics at all. A yelp or a sigh in the right places can be just as effective as a polished line. So, for me, Morrissey is the finest lyricist. Not because his lyrics make me think of Byron's poetry, but because he combined the best of a bookish sensibility with amazing pop instincts.

Other "smart" lyricists I would put up there would be Robert Forster, Grant McLennan, Bob Dylan, Chuck D., and Lennon/McCartney.

Well said, as always...

 

[lilikoi]

Jarvis Cocker

yes! jarvis is my absolute favourite

 

[Dave2006]

50 posts and only one woman so far (I'll ignore Lady Gaga)

I've not got much by these people, but surely Natalie Merchant, Tori Amos, Amy Winehouse, Dolly Parton, Isobel Campbell, Traci Chapman and even Ellie Greenwich (who I only heard of last week when she died) deserve a mention.

Dave

 

[Our Lady]

The lead singer of Sham 69 has a PhD, I am told...