stooka Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 John then Ray then Paul then George. Dave wrote some keepers. Well said! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blue_94_trooper Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Paul wins. Hands down. "Ebony and Ivory" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
markosis Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Robbie Robertson Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Ray Davies is like, last. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stooka Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Paul - The only thing he done was Yesterday. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blue_94_trooper Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Robbie Robertson Elvis Costello, Leonard Cohen, John Hiatt, Smokey Robinson, John Doe, Buddy Holly, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Craig Finn, Paul Westerberg... Songwriters are a dime a dozen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NightOfJoy Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Rayrayrayrayrayrayrayrayray, etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 It has recently struck me that Paul wrote a bunch of songs whose lyrical sentimentality is so syrupy and generic they sound like they came out of a song writing factory. Musical Hallmark cards. "Yesterday" being a prime example. To his credit, he wrote his share of great stuff, too. I just find him to be the only one, even if you include Dave Davies, who had more than a brief dalliance with generic sentimentality. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blue_94_trooper Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 It has recently struck me that Paul wrote a bunch of songs whose lyrical sentimentality is so syrupy and generic they sound like they came out of a song writing factory. Musical Hallmark cards. "Yesterday" being a prime example. He wrote "Silly Love Songs" and you choose to slag him for "Yesterday"? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 He wrote "Silly Love Songs" and you choose to slag him for "Yesterday"? "Yesterday" is a beautiful melody, but the lyrics are so generic they are meaningless and could have been written by anyone. Maybe better examples would have been "Oh Darling" (a fantastic song, but lyrically it's as trite as you can get), "Let it Be" (dull), "The Long and Winding Road" (horrible in every possible way), or any number of other songs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blue_94_trooper Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 "Yesterday" is a beautiful melody, but the lyrics are so generic they are meaningless and could have been written by anyone. Maybe better examples would have been "Oh Darling" (a fantastic song, but lyrically it's as trite as you can get), "Let it Be" (dull), "The Long and Winding Road" (horrible in every possible way), or any number of other songs. "Ebony and Ivory" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 the lyrics are so generic they are meaningless and could have been written by anyone. Maybe better examples would have been ... "Let it Be" (dull),Hey now - you wanna take this outside buddy? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 It has recently struck me that Paul wrote a bunch of songs whose lyrical sentimentality is so syrupy and generic they sound like they came out of a song writing factory. Musical Hallmark cards. "Yesterday" being a prime example. To his credit, he wrote his share of great stuff, too. I just find him to be the only one, even if you include Dave Davies, who had more than a brief dalliance with generic sentimentality. Girl, you really got me goinYou got me so I dont know what Im doinYeah, you really got me nowYou got me so I cant sleep at night Yeah, you really got me nowYou got me so I dont know what Im doin, nowOh yeah, you really got me nowYou got me so I cant sleep at night You really got meYou really got meYou really got me > Yesterday,All my troubles seemed so far away,Now it looks as though they're here to stay,Oh, I believe in yesterday. Suddenly,I'm not half the man I used to be,There's a shadow hanging over me,Oh, yesterday came suddenly. Why sheHad to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.I said,Something wrong, now I long for yesterday. Yesterday,Love was such an easy game to play,Now I need a place to hide away,Oh, I believe in yesterday. Why sheHad to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.I said,Something wrong, now I long for yesterday. Yesterday,Love was such an easy game to play,Now I need a place to hide away,Oh, I believe in yesterday. ? I'll take Paul over any of these guys. He has the most bad songs, sure, but he also has far and away the most good ones (in my opinion of course). If I had to choose one song writer to listen to forever, it's going to be Paul. From the Beatles to Wings to his recent solo stuff, there's so many good songs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LouieB Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 George Harrison..(actually not in the same ballpark...) Paul Simon.... LouieB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OOO Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Paul McCartney and Paul Simon are up there for me. And as far as people not named Paul go, David Byrne. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gobias Industries Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 George and Paul are tied in overall ability in my eyes, but I have a soft spot in my heart for My Sweet Lord, All Things Must Pass, Something, and I could go on and on, but I won't so I'm voting for George. Even outside of pure songwriting and etc. George was the least trite of the bunch (at least in terms of primary songwriters...but in general Ringo was the most chill), so I voted for him. But really each was so individualized in their songwriting (i.e. Paul is basically the best melodist ever), it's impossible to get a perfect picture until you get all of them combined (specifically talking about Paul/John/George/Ringo). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wendy Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 I wonder who Harry Nilsson would have voted for? (Yes, Drew - I'm still on my Harry Nilsson kick! ) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LouieB Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 I wonder who Harry Nilsson would have voted for? (Yes, Drew - I'm still on my Harry Nilsson kick! )John Lennon....obviously.... LouieB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
luke79 Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 psssh....No Ringo? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
howdjadoo Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 I wonder who Harry Nilsson would have voted for? "Only You" (1974)John Lennon & Harry NilssonUnreleased Demo Made For Ringo Starr http://sharebee.com/69a7fc34 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 > ? I'll take Paul over any of these guys. He has the most bad songs, sure, but he also has far and away the most good ones (in my opinion of course). If I had to choose one song writer to listen to forever, it's going to be Paul. From the Beatles to Wings to his recent solo stuff, there's so many good songs. You and I both know there are dozens and dozens of examples of Ray Davies songs that are stronger lyrically than "You Really Got Me". (Virtually every other song he wrote.) As I stated, Paul has written a number of great songs, but I'd put lots of songwriters above him...remember, I'm talking specifically about lyrics. John Lennon. Ray Davies. Pete Townshend. Stevie Wonder. Bob Dylan. John Fogerty. Willie Nelson. Hank Williams. Neil Young. Maybe George Harrison. Maybe even David Byrne. I think a very strong case could be made for Paul being the best all-around musician ever, because he is excellent as a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter (sometimes), singer and melody writer, among other things. I don't think he's the best at any one thing, but as a total package his only competition that comes to mind is Stevie Wonder. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blue_94_trooper Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 Paul is basically the best melodist ever That would actually be Burt Bachrach. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 Jagger/Richards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 Jagger/RichardsI was thinking this on the way in to work as I listened to the Sticky Fingers outtakes: they are the best at it, imo. Save for Dylan, perhaps. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
the carlos Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 Corey Flood Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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