brilliant songwriters

after seeing Simon and Garfunkel on Monday, I was struck with the thought that there are no current songwriting geniuses, and yet there were several in the 1960s - Paul Simon, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Bob Dylan...

but there isn't anyone around now who can even come close to comparing to any of those.

what was different about music in the 1960s that isn't present today to create or focus on the same type of genius? or is it just a coincidence and someone like that will eventually come along again?

I think a big part of it is that there was a commercial market for writing genius then. Dave Carter was certainly developing into one and maybe he would have been one if he lived then. He wouldn't have to tour as much and would have more time for writing. Same for other songwriters.

Joan Baez says that their equals are around today, she usually mentions Richard Shindell in the same breadth as Dylan.

What Gordon said. And also...it seems to me that genius is only really seen in hindsight. When looking at someone's full catalog of contributions, the effect they had on their time, etc. I just don't know that it's possible to really see it while we're in it.

I could add a few names to the list of brilliant songwriters that are around right now - Leonard Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot and Bruce Cockburn. Not to mention Elvis Costello and Tom Waits.

i'll add andrew bird, rufus wainwright, and ben folds.

I think looking at other posts that...well

"but there isn't anyone around now who can even come close to comparing to any of those"�...I think there are plenty people who are as respected in THIS time as the ones you mention were respected in their time. As time passed their legacy and reputation grew. So they seem so much grander in comparison but I think if you compare apples to apples and subtract out the time factor that allows for additional emotional weight, you could come up with many people who are justifiably considered as talented as those you mentioned.

It's like saying there's nobody out there as talented as Shakespeare. I think we need a couple hundred years to really tell. Context matters.

I totally forgot to put Joni Mitchell on my list!

I could add a couple of names that are quite renowned in Canada as well - Willie P. Bennett and Ron Sexsmith.

> after seeing Simon and Garfunkel on Monday, I was struck with the thought that
> there are no current songwriting geniuses, and yet there were several in the 1960s -
> Paul Simon, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Bob Dylan...
>
> but there isn't anyone around now who can even come close to comparing to any of
> those.

I disagree completely. Granted, in the pop music world, forget it. But there are plenty of "counterculture" musicians who are writing music just as compelling as the ones you mentioned. Greg Brown, at least lyrically, is probably the best songwriter alive. Tom Waits is amazing. Have you heard Peter Mulvey's new batch of material? Even in the pop world, Elvis Costello should be right up there in your list. Leonard Cohen, while a terrible performer, is a brilliant songwriter. There are plenty of world-class writers these days, they're just not "pop music" like the ones you mentioned (or "bubblegum pop" in the case of Brian Wilson).

I think Stuart Davis is an amazing songwriter. His melodies (like, every single ONE of them) are gorgeous and catchy and biting, and his lyrics are fabulous.� I am making it my duty to spread the Stu love to my Fr� loves. :)

awww yeah.

One of the best songwriters of all time.

Ditto.� Elvis Costello.

Also,� I would encourage anyone to please check out recent work by the Honeydogs.� I voted for their new record on the "best of" poll and I really think it's the best thing to come out in a LONG time.� Their songwriter and leader is a guy by the name of Adam Levy, and his writing has improved so much from album to album, and while they're all good albums, the last 3 have gotten dramatically better as he goes...�� my roommate (who is an established musician himself) and I refer to Adam as "my Jewish John Lennon" :)

Yes. Greg Brown and Peter Mulvey are two of my favorite songwriters of all time.

Carole King? She seems so concise and focussed that she has been mistakenly referred to as being clinical. To my mind she has just cut the bullshit out and written what we are about.