Who do you consider to be the best songwriter of the 20th century?

[True Dough]

A whole lot to choose from. I expect a lot of "other" votes on this one.

122 votes, 3 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Bob Dylan
	26 (21%)
	Paul McCartney
	9 (7%)
	Paul Simon
	13 (11%)
	Joni Mitchell
	8 (7%)
	Freddie Mercury
	0 (0%)
	Bruce Springsteen
	5 (4%)
	John Lennon
	7 (6%)
	Bob Marley
	2 (2%)
	Carole King
	8 (7%)
	Other
	44 (36%)
	3 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[Jrsygrl96]

1. If you don't like Springsteen's music

just read his lyrics. His 21st century stuff is prophetic, especially "Wrecking Ball."

[LoisB]

2. Prince

[quaint]

3. Most or all of the above.

Mood.

[WheelWalker]

4. I should think Neil Young would be a legit contender

[Earl_from_PA]

5. Jackson Browne

...

[TexasBushwhacker]

83. My heart ❤️

[displacedvermoter]

6. Paul Westerberg

[mucifer]

7. 20th Century is a long time. Please change the post to second half of 20th C

You are leaving out Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie

[GreenWave]

76. Woodie Guthrie is far and away the best and most prolific.

And the verse the pigs censored from your grade school days...

As I went walking along that highway
I saw a sign that said no trespassing
but on the other side
it didn't say nothing
that's how it was made for you and me...

https://www.song-list.net/woodyguthrie/songs

https://folkways.si.edu/woody-guthrie/ballads-of-sacco-and-vanzetti/american-folk-struggle-protest/music/album/smithsonian

etc. ad infinitum

[MuseRider]

8. I can't say, too many things to consider BUT

This far along, not far really, but far enough that I cannot imagine no votes for the person who coined the phrase, "I was running like a white-assed deer" in one of their fantastic songs.

It must be just me looking out my window at 16 brown assed longhorns.

[LuckyCharms]

9. Robert Hunter and Bob Dylan.

In fact, Dylan asked Hunter if he could "steal" a song written by Hunter.

I hold them both on the same level.

[quaint]

20. Both extraordinary wordsmiths.

[OAITW r.2.0]

33. Posted my response before reading yours.

Great minds think alike.

[Midnight Writer]

10. I wouldn't say "best". All of these artists have reached a level we could call "best". I'd go with "favorite".

My personal favorite was John Prine. He was able to trigger so many emotions, from laughter to tears, often all in a single song.

[OAITW r.2.0]

34. Prine and his buddy, Steve Goodman.

[Paladin]

11. Toss-up between Cole Porter and Neil Young. (nt)

[CTyankee]

12. I voted for Bob Dylan, basically because he wrote for a generation I admired, from anti-Vietnam War to civil rights.

[OilemFirchen]

13. Leonard Cohen.

And the constantly sat on Warren Zevon.

[MontanaFarmer]

56. Tip of the cap for Zevon.

[malthaussen]

14. Leiber and Stoller. n/t

[bif]

15. Lennon-McCartney

[nuxvomica]

16. Cole Porter

He wrote over 800 songs with clever melodies and equally clever lyrics.

[LudwigPastorius]

17. Probably, George Gershwin...or Richard Rodgers

Selecting a "best" is a pretty impossible task.

[dedl67]

52. Agreed

Agreed on both George Gershwin and Richard Rodgers. George Gershwin died far too young.

[Dorothy V]

18. Hank Williams SENIOR, who among other things, inspired Bob Dylan and many others.

You may not like the genre, but just read his lyrics and you'll understand.

[Niagara]

19. James Douglas Morrison and Brian Hugh Warner

Technically Jim Morrison was a poet. However, he fronted a rock band that broke barriers using his poems as lyrics.



Stoned Immaculate

Now listen to this...
I'll tell you about Texas radio and the big beat
Soft driven, slow and mad
Like some new language
Reaching your head with the cold, sudden fury of a divine messenger
Let me tell you about heartache and the loss of god

Moonlight Drive

Let's swim to the moon, uh huh
Let's climb through the tide
Penetrate the evening that the
City sleeps to hide
Let's swim out tonight, love
It's our turn to try
Parked beside the ocean
On our moonlight drive

Brian Warner AKA Marilyn Manson. Another artist that broke barriers and (barely) survived false abuse accusations. By the way, Manson has been known to lean left politically.



Great Big White World

'Cause it's a great big white world
And we are drained of our colors
We used to love ourselves
We used to love one another


All my stitches itch, my prescription's low
I wish you were queen, just for today
All my stitches itch, my prescription's low
I wish you were queen, just for today
In a world so white

Cruci-Fiction In Space

We are dead, and tomorrow's canceled
Because of things we did yesterday
We are dead, and tomorrow's canceled
They crucify us in our space
In our space, in our space
In our space, in our space
In our space, in our space
In our space, in our space

[LudwigPastorius]

36. Fuck Brian Warner.

[msongs]

21. burt bacharach/hal david for witty romance, holland-dozier-holland for soul pop

[ProfessorGAC]

22. Can't Pick One

But, I'd have to add David Bowie to the conversation.

[DBoon]

29. yes indeed

a long career supported and collaborated with many musicians and his influence was felt to this day

[Grim Chieftain]

23. John Denver

He wrote about peace, love, compassion, the environment and bringing people together. Still miss him.

[Tikki]

24. There is a young Australian songwriter whose lyrics seem

to my way of thinking to be profound for these times. OK 21ST century...

His name is Jake Robertson. He has been writing and performing in a near dozen Australian bands
since 2011. His latest project is a DYI named Alien Nosejob with some diverse but brilliant albums.

Tikki

[Archae]

25. Harry Chapin

&pp=ygUgaGFycnkgY2hhcGluIGNhdCdzIGluIHRoZSBjcmFkbGU%3D

[Chipper Chat]

26. Cole Porter. Hands down.

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[Zorro]

84. He certainly had a very clever way with words

I'm a big fan.

[Easterncedar]

27. Joan Armitrading gets a shout, the Roches always slayed me too

[enid602]

28. Laura Nyro

Laura Nyro

[yardwork]

30. Bob Dylan admired Gordon Lightfoot.

[OAITW r.2.0]

31. Robert Hunter

[spooky3]

32. Phil Collins in addition to many of the above. I can't pick

Just one.

[GoodRaisin]

35. I have 4

Dicky Betts, Jim Morrison, Tom Petty, Neil Young

[Bayard]

37. Don Henley and Glen Frye

Exhibit A: The Last Resort

She came from Providence
One in Rhode Island
Where the old world shadows hang
Heavy in the air
She packed her hopes and dreams
Like a refugee
Just as her father came across the sea
She heard about a place
People were smilin'
They spoke about the red man's way
And how they loved the land
And they came from everywhere
To the Great Divide
Seeking a place to stand
Or a place to hide
Down in the crowded bars
Out for a good time
Can't wait to tell you all
What it's like up there
And they called it paradise
I don't know why
Somebody laid the mountains low
While the town got high
Then the chilly winds blew down
Across the desert
Through the canyons of the coast
To the Malibu
Where the pretty people play
Hungry for power
To light their neon way
Give them things to do
Some rich men came and raped the land
Nobody caught 'em
Put up a bunch of ugly boxes
And Jesus people bought 'em
And they called it paradise
The place to be
They watched the hazy sun
Sinking in the sea
You can leave it all behind
Sail to Lahaina
Just like the missionaries did
So many years ago
They even brought a neon sign
"Jesus is coming"
Brought the white man's burden down
Brought the white man's reign
Who will provide the grand design?
What is yours and what is mine?
'Cause there is no more new frontier
We have got to make it here
We satisfy our endless needs
And justify our bloody deeds
In the name of destiny
And in the name of God
And you can see them there
On Sunday morning
Stand up and sing about
What it's like up there
They call it paradise
I don't know why
You call someplace paradise
Kiss it goodbye


"The Last Resort" tells "the story of a nation's self-destruction and physical decay.......

[Norrrm]

38. Many great composers for plays throughout the century. Some spaghetti westerns have songs played by symphonies.

Andrew Lloyd Webber was one of many.

[hedda_foil]

39. George Gershwin.

[efhmc]

68. Added below because I did not see your post.

[returnee]

81. Gotta add Ira.

It’s not really a “song” without the lyric.

[chowmama]

40. Where's John Prine?

[Wiz Imp]

41. A few more that I haven't seen mentioned

Last edited Sat Mar 22, 2025, 04:27 PM - Edit history (2)

Chuck Berry
Johnny Cash
Elvis Costello
Ray Davies
Neil Diamond
John Fogerty
Gamble & Huff
Marvin Gaye
Buddy Holly
Michael Jackson
Mick Jagger/Keith Richards
Billy Joel
Elton John/Bernie Taupin
Curtis Mayfield
Van Morrison
Randy Newman
Dolly Parton
Lou Reed
Smokey Robinson
Joe Strummer & Mick Jones
James Taylor
Pete Townshend
Tom Waits
Brian Wilson
Stevie Wonder

[milestogo]

57. Carole King is a Poll Choice.

Van Morrison and James Taylor for sure.

[Wiz Imp]

64. sorry, missed that

[Wolf Frankula]

42. Ian Anderson

Neal Peart.

Add them. There is no ONE best songwriter.

Wolf

[Intractable]

43. Eric Woolfson (The Alan Parsons Project) , Neil Peart (Rush)

[SamKnause]

44. Mark Knopfler

[True Dough]

45. He's still producing some great music

if you haven't listened to his latest -- it's good!

[SamKnause]

50. Yes his 2024 One Deep River album is fantastic.

I have listened to it hundreds of time.

If I'm awake Mark Knopfler or Dire Straits are playing on my TV.

[Easterncedar]

47. Sailing to Philadelphia is so great

[SamKnause]

51. He has so many great songs.

Magical, musical, genius.

He writes the lyrics, he writes the music, he composes the music, he sings, and plays lead guitar.

I am in awe of his sublime talents.

[Ziggysmom]

46. Kris Kristofferson.

“Me and Bobby McGee,” “Help Me Make It Through The Night” and “Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down,”
And many more

[VGNonly]

48. Dylan

[milestogo]

49. Paul McCartney is the most prolific.

Joni Mitchell is the most original and unique.

Carole King music is the most beautiful.

Freddie Mercury had the most amazing voice.

Well, they are all good, but for me its Joni and Paul.

I am still hoping McCartney and Dylan get together and make some music.

[surfered]

53. Because of their collaboration, I think Lennon/McCartney should have been an option.

[leighbythesea2]

54. Prince

[Mike 03]

55. Such a great list. I think I'll respectfully abstain from voting and just

appreciate the perfectness of this list. I would have so much trouble picking between Dylan, Paul Simon, John Lennon. Bruce Springsteen--I went through a period where his work was so important to me that honestly I think it might hinder my ability to appraise him objectively. Joni Mitchell has written some masterpieces.

A few names I might put on the list if I were making it:

Elvis Costello
Billy Corgan
Kurt Cobain (with some equivocations)
Roger Waters/David Gilmour

Just gazing at the OP's list fills me with appreciation, though.

[Rocknation]

58. Other

Lennon AND McCartney -- yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!


Rocknation

[genxlib]

59. As a name that has not been mentioned yet.

Sting is way up there for me. Fragile is still one of those songs that crushes me every time.

And as a real outside the box nomination I would add Lyn Manuel Miranda. I realize that musicals are a parallel art form but almost all of the great musicals are written by partners with a lyricist and composer. For Miranda to pull both duties (and perform) on one of the most beloved and complex musical pieces deserves recognition.

[MichMan]

60. Elton John/Bernie Taupin

[Emile]

61. Willie Nelson

[neeksgeek]

62. My favorite songwriter is Naoko Yamano...

But Bob Dylan is probably the best songwriter of the 20th century just for penning All Along the Watchtower.

[efhmc]

63. Gershwin. He barely got started before he died but he was great.

[Wiz Imp]

65. More

Harold Arlen
Irving Berlin
Leonard Bernstein
Miles Davis
Duke Ellington
Benny Goodman
Oscar Hammerstein
Jerome Kern
Henry Mancini
Glenn Miller
Stephen Sondheim
John Williams

[Clouds Passing]

66. Todd Rundgren

Versatile, Unique, Creative, Accomplished Producer…..

[OldBaldy1701E]

69. A worthy choice that most would not even understand.

'Acapella' is still one of my favorite albums.

[Clouds Passing]

70. I need to listen to that one more, I'm certain I would fall in love with it.

Now I’m into Healing and Nearly Human

[VGNonly]

71. Real Man

A haunting existential tune embedded in my soul.

[Clouds Passing]

72. A perfect song for today

?feature=shared

[Borogove]

67. John Hartford and Jimmy Webb

[Oopsie Daisy]

73. Barry Manilow

[Oopsie Daisy]

74. Burt Bacharach and Hal David

[Totally Tunsie]

75. Anyone remember JOAN BAEZ? nt

[303squadron]

77. Have you heard Neil Finn's discography?

[brush]

78. In the jazz category: Billy Stayhorh -- "Lush Life" and "Take the A Train"...

Also Erroll Garner, jazz pianist and composer for "Play Misty for Me".

[WestMichRad]

79. As much as I'm a child of the rock'n'roll era...

Cole Porter
Leonard Bernstein
Wow, did they ever pen boatloads of fabulous music!
And… George Gershwin, if only for Rhapsody in Blue, probably my favorite song ever.

[returnee]

80. You should clarify.

You seem to be focused on the latter half of the 20th Century. Sooooo many great songwriter from Tin Pan Alley and Broadway, not to mention guys like Burt Bacharach/Hal David. Nobody beats Cole Porter. How about Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, Becker and Fagen, James Taylor, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, Willie Nelson, Garcia /Hunter, Jerome Kern, Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn, Irving Berlin, Rodgers/Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Hank Williams, Robert Johnson. Just to name a few.

Pardon me for going on about this, but best of’s kinda rub me the wrong way sometimes.

[ILikePie92]

82. Best 1900-2000?

1)Willie Nelson
2)Hank Williams, Sr.
3)Willie Dixon
4)Woody Guthrie
5)Bob Wills

[LetMyPeopleVote]

85. Welcome to DU

[hamsterjill]

86. There are many, but I haven't seen Neil Diamond named here.

And I'm a huge fan. Some of his stuff is incredibly philosophical.

[Shrek]

87. Meat Loaf + Jim Steinman n/t

[Iggo]

88. Too many to choose from.

Today I’d say Cole Porter or Bernie Taupin.

Ask me again tomorrow and it’ll be somebody else.

[NNadir]

89. When I was a kid playing in clubs, about half of my covers were from Joni Mitchell, a quarter from Dylan and then...

...everybody else.

I did a lot of early folk blues everything from Furry Lewis to Josh White, and some reworked covers from Bonnie Raitt and others.

As a guitarist, Joni Mitchell was the most intricate, those wonderful offbeat open tunings, expanded my horizons a lot.

Her songs were largely about personal relationships, unhappy relationships, and at that time in my life, before I met and fell in love with my wife, it fit.

I also did a version of "Ode to Billy Joe" of which I was very proud, but it was in a way inspired by Joni Mitchell because I played it in a minor open tuning.

I did some offbeat Jimi Hendrix too, again in open tunings, Up from the Skies and The Wind Cries Mary.

It's sort of a shame I think - I regret I gave up playing about five or ten years ago.

[snot]

90. Gotta say Joni Mitchell -

And I agree re- Lennon & McCartney; but what about Cole Porter and Oscar Hammerstein II?!