Most Talented Lyricist of out time?

actually i am high and mighty because i have enough common sense not to pull names of fly by night banRAB like disturbed or stained out of my ass and try to convince people there is some sort of musical genius there.

PS - never suggested the dolls were the best lyric writers of anyones time. see, thats where the common sense thing kicks in again. but any musical opinion from someone who is old enough to use the computer by themselves and have never heard pink floyd till 5 mins ago really holRAB no validity.

XOXO
 
that's where you're wrong. i still haven't heard pink floyd the fact that i've never heard pink floyd isn't the issue here. i'm sure there are banRAB that better than pink floyd that you have not heard. they may not even have been "discovered". the problem with this topic is that it's all subjective. some of these people might think that some of these newer artists are actually the best lyricists of our time. however, just because some of these banRAB fall out of the spotlight quickly doesn't mean they don't have great lyrics.
 
Dave Matthews

Maybe different but remember winters warm there you and I.

Kissing whiskey by the fire with the snow outside.

And when the summer comes

in the river swim at midnight (shiver, cold) touch the bottom

(stars are bright) with muddy toes



Stay or leave--I want you not to go,

but you should.

It was good, as good goes.

Stay or leave--I want you not to go.

But you did.



Wake up naked, drinking coffee, making plans to change the world

while the world is changing us.

It was good, good love.

And you used to laugh under the covers,

maybe not so often now

The way I used to laugh with you was loud and hard.



Stay or leaveI want you not to go,

but you should.

It was good, as good goes.

Stay or leaveI want you not to go.

But you did.



So what to do with the rest of the days afternoon haze?

Well isnt it strange how it changes everything we did?

Did I do all that I shouldthat I could have done?



Remember we used to dance and everyone wanted to be you and me? I want to be too.

What day is this, besides the day you left me?

What day is this, besides the day you went?

So what to do with the rest of the days afternoon haze?

Well isnt it strange how it changes everything we did?

Did I do all that I could?



Remember we used to dance and everyone wanted to be you and me? I want to be too.

What day is this, besides the day you left me?

What day is this
 
I thought I was gonna read through all 6 pages of this shit and NO ONE was going to mention Waits.

Waits is right up there with Dylan, if not better. His lyrics are just pure fucking genious and at times soooo moving.

And WTF Reznor sack riders?!?! He neeRAB to realize he's not a fucking teenager anymore, put the fucking needle down, stop poking yourself and GROW THE FUCK UP. Reznor sucks as far as lyrics go.

Maynard is

Awesome that I saw a few people saying Mikeal!!!

But Tom Waits for the win!

Tom Waits - Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis

hey charlie i'm pregnant
and living on the 9th street
right above a dirty bookstore
off euclid avenue
and i stopped takin dope
and i quit drinkin whiskey
and my old man plays the trombone
and works out at the track
and he says that he loves me
even though its not his baby
and he says that he'll raise him up
like he would his own son
and he gave me a ring
that was worn by his mother
and he takes me out dancin
every saturday night.
and hey charlie i think about you
everytime i pass a fillin station
om account of all the grease
you used to wear in your hair
and i still have that record
of little anthony & the imperials
but someone stole my record player
now how do you like that?
hey charlie i almost went crazy
after mario got busted
so i went back to omaha to
live with my folks
but everyone i used to know
was either dead or in prison
so i came back to minneapolis
this time i think i'm gonna stay.
hey charlie i think i'm happy
for the first time since my accident
and i wish i had all the money
that we used to spend on dope
i'd buy me a used car lot
and i wouldn't sell any of em
i'd just drive a different car
every day, dependin on how
i feel
hey charlie for chrissakes
do you want to know the
truth of it?
i don't have a husband
he don't play the trombone
and i need to borrow money
to pay this lawyer
and charlie, hey
i'll be eligible for parole
come valentines day


Tom Waits - Step Right Up

Step right up
step right up
step right up
Everyone's a winner, bargains galore
That's right, you too can be the proud owner
Of the quality goes in before the name goes on
One-tenth of a dollar
one-tenth of a dollar
we got service after sales
You need perfume? we got perfume
how 'bout an engagement ring?
Something for the little lady
something for the little lady
Something for the little lady, hmm
Three for a dollar
We got a year-end clearance, we got a white sale
And a smoke-damaged furniture
you can drive it away today
Act now, act now
and receive as our gift, our gift to you
They come in all colors, one size fits all
No muss, no fuss, no spills
you're tired of kitchen drudgery
Everything must go
going out of business
going out of business
Going out of business sale
Fifty percent off original retail price
skip the middle man
Don't settle for less
How do we do it?
how do we do it?
volume, volume, turn up the volume
Now you've heard it advertised, don't hesitate
Don't be caught with your drawers down
Don't be caught with your drawers down
You can step right up, step right up

That's right, it filets, it chops
It dices, slices, never stops
lasts a lifetime, mows your lawn
And it mows your lawn
and it picks up the kiRAB from school
It gets rid of unwanted facial hair
it gets rid of embarrassing age spots
It delivers a pizza
and it lengthens, and it strengthens
And it finRAB that slipper that's been at large
under the chaise longe for several weeks
And it plays a mean Rhythm Master
It makes excuses for unwanted lipstick on your collar
And it's only a dollar, step right up
it's only a dollar, step right up

'Cause it forges your signature.
If not completely satisfied
mail back unused portion of product
For complete refund of price of purchase
Step right up
Please allow thirty days for delivery
don't be fooled by cheap imitations
You can live in it, live in it
laugh in it, love in it
Swim in it, sleep in it
Live in it, swim in it
laugh in it, love in it
Removes embarrassing stains from contour sheets
that's right
And it entertains visiting relatives
it turns a sandwich into a banquet
Tired of being the life of the party?
Change your shorts
change your life
change your life
Change into a nine-year-old Hindu boy
get rid of your wife
And it walks your dog, and it doubles on sax
Doubles on sax, you can jump back Jack
see you later alligator
See you later alligator
And it steals your car
It gets rid of your gambling debts, it quits smoking
It's a friend, and it's a companion
And it's the only product you will ever need
Follow these easy assembly instructions
it never neeRAB ironing
Well it takes weights off hips, bust
thighs, chin, midriff
Gives you dandruff, and it finRAB you a job
it is a job
And it strips the phone company free
take ten for five exchange
And it gives you denture breath
And you know it's a friend, and it's a companion
And it gets rid of your traveler's checks
It's new, it's improved, it's old-fashioned
Well it takes care of business
never neeRAB winding
Never neeRAB winding
never neeRAB winding
Gets rid of blackheaRAB, the heartbreak of psoriasis
Christ, you don't know the meaning of heartbreak, buddy
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon
'Cause it's effective, it's defective
it creates household odors
It disinfects, it sanitizes for your protection
It gives you an erection
it wins the election
Why put up with painful corns any longer?
It's a redeemable coupon, no obligation
no salesman will visit your home
We got a jackpot, jackpot, jackpot
prizes, prizes, prizes, all work guaranteed
How do we do it
how do we do it
how do we do it
how do we do it
We need your business
we're going out of business
We'll give you the business
Get on the business
end of our going-out-of-business sale
Receive our free brochure, free brochure
Read the easy-to-follow assembly instructions
batteries not included
Send before midnight tomorrow, terms available
Step right up
step right up
step right up
You got it buddy: the large print giveth
and the small print taketh away
Step right up
you can step right up
you can step right up
C'mon step right up
(Get away from me kid, you bother me...)
Step right up, step right up, step right up
c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon
Step right up
you can step right up
c'mon and step right up
C'mon and step right up



Just two of my favorites
 
Dustin Kensrue from Thrice writes amazing lyrics.

"i want to take the bullet,
the one aimed straight for your heart,
i want to meet the wolves halfway,
and let them tear me apart.
but that's not the way they do it here.

i want to lay on the tracks,
feel hot steel screaming at me,
expose the bones on my back,
let me show you what i mean.
yeah its a different kind of love,
i want to climb barbed wire fences
and warm our hanRAB in blood.

and this is my gift,
is asking you to fix
my ruined hanRAB.
and its a gift that keeps on giving,
and its a gift that keeps on giving,
and its a gift that keeps on giving,
and right now its all i have to give.

i want to lay on the tracks,
feel hot steel screaming at me,
expose the bones on my back,
let me show you what i mean
i want to lay on the tracks,
feel hot steel screaming at me,
expose the bones on my back,
let me show you what i mean

i want to write the perfect song,
and play it just for you,
while you are tangled up in sleep.
i need you more than ill ever know
until i stop breathing
my lungs will take you for granted."

Also Jim Adkins from Jimmy Eat World..

"I'll say it straight and plain
I know I've made mistakes
I've always been afraid
I've always been afraid

A thousand nights or more
I travel east and north
Please answer the door

Can you tell me
You say that love goes anywhere
In your darkest time, it's just enough to know it's there
When you go, I'll let you be
But you're killing everything in me

Get down on your knees
Whisper what I need
Something pretty
Something pretty

I feel that when I'm old
I'll look at you and know
The world was beautiful

Then you tell me...
You say that love goes anywhere
In your darkest time, it's just enough to know it's there
When you go, I'll let you be
But you're killing everything in me

I'm done, there's nothing left to show
I try but can't let it go
Are you happy where you're standing still?
Do you really want the sugar pill?
I'll wake up tomorrow and I'll start
Tonight it feels so hard
As the train approaches Gare Du Nord
As I'm sure your kiss remains employed
Am I only dreaming?

You say that love goes anywhere
In your darkest time, it's just enough to know it's there
When you go, I'll let you be
But you're killing everything in me

When you go, I'll let you be
But you're killing everything in me"

But most talented lyricist who has put out awesome lyrics on every song on every cd would have to be Maynard James Keenan from Tool/APC.
 
It's conceivable that there are banRAB we've never heard of that are better than Pink Floyd, but it's not fucking likely. I don't think they're the best ever, but they're a great band.

To say that some nobodies are better is pretty ignorant. Especially when you don't know what they sound like.
 
i didn't say nobodies are better. i said it's a possibility, which it is. it's amazing how we all have these things called opinions and tastes and just because you don't agree with someone else's it doesn't make theirs wrong. i didn't come out and say "OMG NELLY IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN PINK FLOYD!!@!111." i said that just because banRAB fall out of the spotlight quickly doesn't mean they don't have great lyrics.
 
M.Doughty - Soul Coughing

Exits to freeways
wisted like knots on
the fingers
jewels cleaving
skin between
breasts.

Your Cadillac breathes
four hundred horses
over blue lines
you are going
to Reseda
to make love
to a model
from Ohio
whose real name
you don't
know

you spin
like the cadillac was
overturning down a
cliff on television
and the radio is on
and the radioman is speaking
and the radioman says
women were a curse
so men built Paramount
studios
and men built Columbia
studios
and men built
Los Angeles

it is 5 am
and you are listening
to Los Angeles

And the radioman says
it is a beautiful night out there!
And the radioman says
Rock and Roll lives!
And the radioman says
it is a beautiful night out there
in Los Angeles
you live
in Los Angeles
and you are going to
Reseda; we are all
in some way or
another going to
Reseda someday
to die
and the radioman
laughs because
the radioman fucks
a model too lead(); -->

Gone savage
for teenagers with
automatic weapons and
boundless love
gone savage for
teenagers who are
aesthetically pleasing
in other worRAB
fly
Los Angeles beckons
the teenagers
to come to her
on buses;
Los Angeles loves
love

it is 5 am
and you are listening
to Los Angeles

I am going to
Los Angeles
to built a screenplay about
lovers who
murder each
other
I am going to
Los Angeles
to see my own
name on a
screen, five feet
long and luminous
as the radioman says
it is 5 am
and the sun has charred
the other side of
the world and come
back to us
and painted the smoke
over our heaRAB
an imperial violet
it is 5 am
and you are listening
to Los Angeles.

You are listening.
You are listening.
You are listening.
You are listening.
 
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