Top 10 Rock Lyricists 

Awesome, thanks! I've always been a huge fan, I think Morrissey's writing is brilliant.

Disco Pink Floyd was something I wasn't expecting to hear! 😀

The Doors are a band where EVERY member contributed significantly to the songwriting.

Oh man, I totally forgot about Rodgers! He would have to make a Top 10 Vocalists list as well.

Great suggestions! I dig 'em all, Fagen in particular probably should have been in there, so good.

Great list, several of the names there were under serious consideration for my video, including Joni, Taupin and Steven Tyler.

Cool, thanks! Yeah, Peart was a lock from the beginning. I tried to use a really cool live clip of 'Sin City' from the old Midnight Special show but I don't think it matters, I've always heard they're notorious for blocking everything so it was expected.

Those three definitely in a class of their own when it comes to hard rock.

Thanks! And thanks for the correction on the AC/DC lyric. Can't believe I've heard that wrong all these years.

Love that guy! I didn't fully appreciate The Dead until I got a little older, maybe had something to do with fully grasping his lyrics.

Lots of worthy lyricists out there... in a Top 10 great people will inevitably get left out!

I have to admit I'm not familiar with that band, I will check it out.

@@mikejerantmusic For many, they are Australia's best ever rock band. They were released overseas, but their songs are very Australia centric. Don Walker has a physics degree in quantum mechanics and worked in weapons research in the early 70's. When I lived in Sydney I would see him in my local cafe in Kings Cross writing lyrics.

@@lupcokotevski2907 Just listened to Khe Sahn, great lyrics, thanks for that!

@@mikejerantmusic No worries. Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers.

Sure, I thought hard about putting him on there, brilliant! Simon and Garfunkel will be appearing in my next 1968 Top 10 video for Bookends.

Fair enough, both really good! It's crazy how many people think Ozzy wrote all those lyrics.

Yeah, I like your surprise picks, you hear those names and you immediately think guitar but I agree, good lyrics too!

@@mikejerantmusic With Hendrix I'm not really referring to the Foxy Lady type rock cliche stuff but his more reflective songs like Castles Made Of Sand, Little Wing and 1983. All evocative stuff. But sure , Jimi has some pretty good rock lyrics too!

Yes, I agree about Hendrix. Wind Cries Mary is one of his best lyrics, I think.

Ah yeah, thanks for that! I like how he brought a sort of Musical Theater vibe to Rock and Roll.

Ah, thanks! That's a band I need to explore more thoroughly.

You are very welcome. It goes without saying that I love your channel. You have incredible insight into classic rock masterpieces. I'm a 72 year old drummer who saw Led Zeppelin in concert in Nov. 1969. , Dean ( in Syracuse)

@@wayofthinkin I envy you seeing Zeppelin back then!

Thanks for weighing in, I really appreciate (respectful) disagreement! I completely understand what you're saying, Costello is a great lyricist (and composer). Regarding Roth and Scott: The way I look at it, Rock and Roll didn't start out with subtle lyrics with deep meanings and multiple interpretations. It began with Tutti Frutti and Great Balls Of Fire, so I think there will always be a place for lyricists who are just goofy and fun (yet clever), and I wanted that side represented, too. You're right, I did not include Layla in my 1970 top ten. That album would certainly be deserving, but Clapton just doesn't happen to be a personal favorite of mine. In spite of that, I did include him in my top 10 most influential rock guitarists, as there's no denying his significance in that regard. I'm a huge Townshend fan, one of the most thoughtful lyricists out there in my opinion.

Ah, yes, thanks! And King Crimson, too!

Yes, I was thrilled to include him! I took some heat for it, as I'm sure you know he has many haters, but I've always thought the guy was brilliant.

Love Paul Simon, definitely could have put him on the list. Springsteen never really did much for me, although I appreciate why lots of people like him. Roth is there because I think he's a great and very clever rock lyricist, simple as that. As I said in my intro, not all lyrics need be deep and profound, Rock and Roll is about fun, and Roth is fun.

Personally I would drop David Lee Roth and included Bruce Springsteen. Also, personally, I would have included Elvis Costello. On his first six albums Costello created sublime lyrics on pretty much every song on those albums. Finally I would find room for Bob Dylan. Definitely he was a rock performer from Highway 61 Revisited onwards. I would also include Richard Thompson brilliant lyrics and electric guitar especially on I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight and Shoot Out the Lights. But I guess, like Dylan, he is too folky?

@@markphillips3186 Some great mentions there. I knew Roth would be controversial but I do think he was very unique in the realm of hard rock. You're right about Dylan, he definitely had some rock stuff. Richard Thompson is great, but damn it's hard when you've only got 10...

Ah, thanks for that! I was never a huge Clash fan, but he was a good lyricist.

Thanks! In the case of Dylan I think most of his classic stuff is more in the folk category, I agree he's an amazing lyricist. Springsteen has certainly written some great songs but his stuff has never resonated enough with me to include it in a personal Top 10.

Dylan, Neil Young and Ray Davies are all great lyricists. Of the three I am particularly fond of Young, I recently featured After The Gold Rush, Harvest and On The Beach in my Top 10 Albums of 1970, 1972 and 1974 videos. I seriously considered Joni for my Best Lyricists vid, I think she's wonderful. Not sure how the inclusion of Neil Peart would be a predictor for REM and Axl Rose, but since you "ducked out" I can assure you that neither one were on my list (although I think Stipe is quite good).

“Have you come here to play Jesus to the lepers in your head?” “You walk past a cafe, but you don't eat when you've lived too long.” “I'll wait for you there like a stone. I'll wait for you there alone.” “Hold you in his armchair; you can feel his disease.” “Someone is speaking, but she doesn't know he's there.” “Cancel my subscription to resurrection. Send my credentials to the house of detention. I got some friends inside.” “Say women, they will come and they will go. When the rain washes you clean, you'll know- you’ll know.” “Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way. The time is gone, the song is over. Thought I'd something more to say.” “Drying up in conversation you will be the one who cannot talk. All your insides fall to pieces. You just sit there wishing you could still make love.” “And I know she's living there and she loves me to this day. I still can't remember when or how I lost my way. He came dancing across the water, Cortez, Cortez. What a killer.”

Ooh, forgot about Yorke and Cornell, good calls!

@@mirandak3273 Very cool, I like what you did there!

Where is Marc Bolan? I drive a rolls royce but is good from my voice.

Davies is great, just not in my personal Top 10. Tastes vary, that's what makes life interesting.