looking for names (of quality songwriters)

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by Jukie

Rodney Crowell
Guy Clark
Townes Van Zandt
Kris Kristofferson
Steve Earle

+99 for Guy Clark - "the Craftsman"

+ 99 for John Prine - who can tell a story so well with so few words (real lyricism)

KK has written very well and of course Willie.

For lesser known talent but fine lyricism -seek out Jack Williams:

http://www.jackwilliamsmusic.com/

[Long Jon]

I'm good with everybody that's been mentioned so far.

The OP did ask about LIVING songwriters tho ' ... Also, apart from Mick n Keef John, Paul and George, we've not had many Brits here....

So,,, just off the top o' ma heed .... Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, David Bowie, Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, Mark Knopfler, Pete Townsend, Steve Winwood, Steve Marriott, Sean Ryder, Ed Sheerhan, Paulo Nutini..

Some other of my favourite Americans not already mentioned, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Mary Gauthier, Gillian Welch,

D'you know what ? As I start trying to make these kind of lists, so much floods into my mind, I'd be typing all night.... There are sooo many greats.

Here's a couple I like at the moment...

[Gregg Carter]

Originally Posted by Long Jon

... we've not had many Brits here....

Here's another: Graham Gouldman. Great songwriter from the British invasion. Here are a few songs he wrote in just a year or so, if I remember correctly.

For Your Love (Yardbirds)
Heart Full of Soul (Yardbirds)
Evil Hearted You (Yardbirds)
Bus Stop (The Hollies)
Look through Any Window (The Hollies)
No Milk Today (Herman's Hermits)

All were huge hits.

[FormerFoodie]

Here are my faves, some of who have already been mentioned:

David Wilcox
Josh Ritter
Townes van Zandt
Elliott Smith

For kicks, I'd also nominate Dr. Frank. He's the front man for the Mr. T Experience, a pop punk band.

[mstuartev]

Get Spotify and start punching names.

[RiversRubin]

I made my case for Reed earlier in the thread, but I thought I'd throw a video or two in here. The first is his entire performance of the 1989 album. 'New York.' Probably one of my all time favorite examples of songwriting, the entire album is exceptionally written and very lyrically based. The second video is that song we all know, 'Walk on the Wild Side' - what a song!

[pgilmor]

As much as I love so many of the writers mentioned so far (where was Jesse Winchester, btw?) some of the current generation are just as good. I really appreciate what Jason Mraz and John Ondrasik have done; just some very well written music. Glen Hansard might deserve some mention.

[Gorquin]

I could have missed them but didn't see:

Dan Fogelberg
Bruce Cockburn
Paul Simon
Tony Rice - although primarily known as a great flat picker.
Gordon Lightfoot
Don McLean
Eagles
Bee Gees
Early Dave Mason
Sting
To name a few.

[architype]

Townes Van Sant
Buddy Miller
Julie Miller
Darrell Scott
Jackson Browne
Jay Ferrar
Kris Kristoferson
Johnny Cash
Neil Young
Bob Dylan
Elvis Costello
Joe Jackson
Willie Nelson
Carol King
Jim Croce
Paul McCartney
John Lennen
Guy Clark
Dan Fogelberg
John Prine
Steve Goodman

[Jukie]

How about a couple of guys who met at college...

Lyle Lovett
Robert Earl Keane

[sully151]

Justin Townes Earl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAmhSFRcQD0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPTzdpb9Ins

Colin Meloy from the Decemberists

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuJSyuOKMMA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUCeHbg4afA

Langhorne Slim

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3faIgiGJR4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_TeQhZj2_k

[TheGoldenWalrus]

I'll add a couple I don't think I've seen in the list yet

Donovan
Nick Drake

Enjoy!

[lone eskimo]

Richard Shindell!
Also- did anyone mention Leonard Cohen yet?
Or Justin Hayward (Moody Blues)?

My personal faves are:
Lennon & McCartney
Bob Dylan
Joni Mitchell
Paul Simon
James Taylor
Carole King
Jagger & Richards
Pete Townshend
Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)
Ray Davies (Kinks)
Jon Anderson (Yes)
Cat Stevens (Yusef Islam)
Neil Young
Stephen Stills
Garcia & Hunter (Grateful Dead)

To name a few.....

[Charmed Life Picks]

You guys have hit most of the ones I'd mention.

Leonard Cohen for sure
Early David Bowie
John Prine for sure
John Hiatt


Here's a few others:

Jesse Winchester
Dozier-Holland-Dozier (early Motown)
George and Ira Gershwin
Stephan Sondheim
Carole King
Buddy Holly
Burt Bacharach & Hal David
Beaulieu & Felice Bryant (wrote tons of songs for Everylys etc.)
Jerry Jeff Walker
Brain Wilson (Beach Boys)
John Fogerty (Creedance)
early Bee Gees ballads

[Jimbolaya]

Gillian welch
Wilco
Eric Skye
Jason isbell
Robert Johnson
John fahey.
Led zeppelin
Pink Floyd
So many others...