Lyrical Poets?
Aug 2, 2006 at 10:40 AM Post #18 of 37
More votes for Dylan, Waits, and Nick Cave.

Point of curiosity though- Zanth you mention the fact you often zone-out to lyrics and just listen to the music. These days I do that too, and it seems to have happened as I learnt to listen more critically (damn Head-fi!)- I guess I'm still aware of the lyrics but they sort of wash over me as part of the whole, rather than being the focus of the music. Then again, right now I am listening to Herbert's remix of Aerosol by Wishmountain, which is entirely instrumental...
wink.gif
 
Aug 2, 2006 at 2:10 PM Post #19 of 37
Quote:

Originally Posted by Odi_et_Amo
I'll add Nick Cave


definitely Nick Cave:

Quote:

The Mercy Seat

It began when they come took me from my home
And put me in Dead Row,
Of which I am nearly wholly innocent, you know.
And I'll say it again
I... am... not... afraid... to... die.

I began to warm and chill
To objects and their fields,
A ragged cup, a twisted mop
The face of Jesus in my soup
Those sinister dinner meals
The meal trolley's wicked wheels
A hooked bone rising from my food
All things either good or ungood.

And the mercy seat is waiting
And I think my head is burning
And in a way I'm yearning
To be done with all this measuring of truth.
An eye for an eye
A tooth for a tooth
And anyway I told the truth
And I'm not afraid to die.

Interpret signs and catalogue
A blackened tooth, a scarlet fog.
The walls are bad. Black. Bottom kind.
They are sick breath at my hind
They are sick breath gathering at my hind

I hear stories from the chamber
How Christ was born into a manger
And like some ragged stranger
Died upon the cross
And might I say it seems so fitting in its way
He was a carpenter by trade
Or at least that's what I'm told

Like my good hand I
tatooed E.V.I.L. across it's brother's fist
That filthy five! They did nothing to challenge or resist.
In Heaven His throne is made of gold
The ark of his Testament is stowed
A throne from which I'm told
All history does unfold.
Down here it's made of wood and wire
And my body is on fire
And God is never far away.

Into the mercy seat I climb
My head is shaved, my head is wired
And like a moth that tries
To enter the bright eye
I go shuffling out of life
Just to hide in death awhile
And anyway I never lied.

My kill-hand is called E.V.I.L.
Wears a wedding band that's G.O.O.D.
`Tis a long-suffering shackle
Collaring all that rebel blood.

And the mercy seat is waiting
And I think my head is burning
And in a way I'm yearning
To be done with all this measuring of truth.
An eye for an eye
And a tooth for a tooth
And anyway I told the truth
And I'm not afraid to die.

And the mercy seat is burning
And I think my head is glowing
And in a way I'm hoping
To be done with all this weighing up of truth.
An eye for an eye
And a tooth for a tooth
And I've got nothing left to lose
And I'm not afraid to die.

And the mercy seat is glowing
And I think my head is smoking
And in a way I'm hoping
To be done with all this looks of disbelief.
An eye for an eye
And a tooth for a tooth
And anyway there was no proof
Nor a motive why.

And the mercy seat is smoking
And I think my head is melting
And in a way I'm helping
To be done with all this twisting of the truth.
A lie for a lie
And a truth for a truth
And I've got nothing left to lose
And I'm not afraid to die.

And the mercy seat is melting
And I think my blood is boiling
And in a way I'm spoiling
All the fun with all this truth and consequence.
An eye for an eye
And a truth for a truth
And anyway I told the truth
And I'm not afraid to die.

And the mercy seat is waiting
And I think my head is burning
And in a way I'm yearning
To be done with all this measuring of proof.
A life for a life
And a truth for a truth
And anyway there was no proof
But I'm not afraid to tell a lie.

And the mercy seat is waiting
And I think my head is burning
And in a way I'm yearning
To be done with all this measuring of truth.
An eye for an eye
And a truth for a truth
And anyway I told the truth...

But I'm afraid I told a lie.


 
Aug 2, 2006 at 5:05 PM Post #20 of 37
This thread is interesting as the I recently finished reading th last issue of PASTE magazine which features "The 100 Best Living Songwriters"

Of couse many of those mentioned here were mentioned amopung those receiving honors. While nobody will likely agree 100%, they did a respectable job of selecting, and using criteria other than album sales stats to determine.

Worth a look-see (link above)
 
Aug 2, 2006 at 5:25 PM Post #21 of 37
Quote:

Originally Posted by NiceCans
This thread is interesting as the I recently finished reading th last issue of PASTE magazine which features "The 100 Best Living Songwriters"

Of couse many of those mentioned here were mentioned amopung those receiving honors. While nobody will likely agree 100%, they did a respectable job of selecting, and using criteria other than album sales stats to determine.

Worth a look-see (link above)


lists are interesting beasts, aren't they?

i find it a bit contradictory that they attempt to list the best LIVING songwriters, so long-dead bands like Led Zeppelin can be on it simply by the good luck that its members are still with us; while recently deceased songwriters such as Warren Zevon must be excluded, despite the fact that Zevon wrote many fine songs long after Zeppelin called it quits.
 
Aug 3, 2006 at 3:40 AM Post #22 of 37
I'm surprised that nobody mentioned Paul Simon. It's different than a lot of what's been mentioned, but really, his lyrics are amazing and poetic. Check out any Simon and Garfunkel stuff or his new album, Surprise is pretty good too.

I also recommend The Who (Quadrophenia for me), The Arcade Fire (Funeral), and Wolf Parade (Apologies to the Queen Mary). Also, if you want almost nigh incomprehensible lyrics that somehow sound great, check out Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.

Didn't mean to list so many indie bands...whoops.
 
Aug 3, 2006 at 4:18 AM Post #23 of 37
Quote:

Originally Posted by NiceCans
This thread is interesting as the I recently finished reading th last issue of PASTE magazine which features "The 100 Best Living Songwriters"


A nice list, but the inclusion of Prince in the top ten suggests that they look at the music as a whole instead of just lyrics.

I'm glad that they remember Richard Thompson (#63) but disappointed that Janis Ian did not make it.
 
Aug 3, 2006 at 7:39 PM Post #25 of 37
Quote:

Originally Posted by Zanth
Who else would you folks recommend for top seating in a poll among gifted lyrical poets? I won't care if the music is not to my liking I just would like to investigate some excellent words mixed to music.



Mike Skinner, one of the best..most unique around today.
Pick up the Streets, Original Pirate Material...you will not be disappointed, I will buy your copy if you are
wink.gif
 
Aug 3, 2006 at 7:46 PM Post #26 of 37
For some reason when I read the header I thought of the Def Poetry Jam! My wife got free tix to see this on Broadway a while back, and it was definitely a trip. Good stuff, and a very cool way to listen to the spoken word.
 
Aug 4, 2006 at 1:16 PM Post #27 of 37
Derek Warfield, once member of the Irish folk band Wolfe Tones who has now gone solo. Almost everything he writes is political: you may take issues with his politics, but his song writing is first class.

Indeed, if you want lyrics of insight, relevance and poetic potency, listen to folk music: people in the folk music circle have no time for the "shake that booty baby" nonsense.
 
Aug 5, 2006 at 1:05 AM Post #28 of 37
Along with many of the already aforementioned names, Ani DiFranco is a great lyricist. Very poetic. AHH!! How could I forget Van Morrison..
 
Aug 5, 2006 at 2:08 AM Post #29 of 37
most of simon and garfunkel songs tell a story. they are great lyrical poets.
the lead singer for bright eyes is pretty good too.
however the first person i think of when i see lyrical poet is talib kweli.


there you go.
67. Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes)
 
Aug 5, 2006 at 2:35 AM Post #30 of 37
Quote:

Originally Posted by Audiofiler
Mike Skinner, one of the best..most unique around today.
Pick up the Streets, Original Pirate Material...you will not be disappointed, I will buy your copy if you are
wink.gif




WOW! What acclimation! I'll definitely check it out! No worries about buying my copy but with this kind of support, I am definitely intrigued, thanks!

As for the other suggestions, i have a nice long list now! Keep them coming though!
 
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