Best Prog Lyricist

Fish's lyrics for Marillion on the 1st 3 albums are almost faultless (Kayleigh being the exception) - and incredibly deep; the lyrics to "Fugazi" require the application of a thesaurus and a grammar-school education just to grasp the basics!

Jon Anderson, who didn't actually write everything, but all Yes Lyrics I know are greatly implemented rythmically. And the meanings of it all escape even the greatest lyricist, that's what makes it more powerful.

Certif1ed wrote: Fish's lyrics for Marillion on the 1st 3 albums are almost faultless (Kayleigh being the exception) - and incredibly deep; the lyrics to "Fugazi" require the application of a thesaurus and a grammar-school education just to grasp the basics!

I would agree that the lyrics on 'Script..' and 'Misplaced childhood' are very good, but I think he fell into cliches on Fugazi, at times. There were some lines which to me seemed very contrived. It seemed he was striving to be wierd and less concerned with telling a story or putting across an emotion in an accessable way.

The lines in Fugazi 'Extinguishing the fires in a private hell. Provoking the heartache to renew the license, of a bleeding heart poet a in fragile capsule, propping up the crust of a glitter conscience'

I'm sorry, it's all down to taste I guess but thats too much for me. The very fact that you may need a Thesaurus to analise the lyrics is not altogether a good thing in my view. The music was, however great most of the time.

On the other hand lyrcis to 'Incubus' and 'Punch & Judy' were excellent, as was the lyrics to 'Garden Party' among others. He was very capable,but in my view inconsistent.

Oh yes, and from 'Jigsaw':

'..bleeding from the surgeries of initial confrontation. Holding the word 'scalples' on tembling lips'

Thats twaddle.. Sorry

Guess what I'm gonna say??

Greg Lake's lyrics have evidently always touched me to.. and his alone.. not that I don't love the ones he co-authored with Pete Sinfield...

He had a romanticism in prog that was sorely lacking, but he also had a way of describing a picture that you sort of had to read between his lines to understand.. and I got really good at reading inbetween his lines... One of my favorite of his will always be "Mass"...

The preacher said a prayer.
Save ev'ry single hair on his head.
He's dead.

The minister of hate had just arrived to late be spared.
Who cared?
The weaver in the web that he made!

The pilgrim wandered in,
Commiting ev'ry sin that he could
So good...

The cardinal of grief was set in his belief he'd be saved
From the grave
The weaver in the web that he made!

The high priest took a blade
To bless the ones that prayed,
And all obeyed.

The messenger of fear is slowly growing, nearer to the time,
A sign.
The weaver in the web that he made!

A bishops rings a bell,
A cloak of darkness fell across the ground
Without a sound!

The silent choir sing and in their silence,
Bring jaded sound, harmonic ground.
The weaver in the web that he made!

Glass-Prison wrote: Someone mentioned that Peart had a scientific mind, and his writing reflects that. However, that is the one thing that I happen to enjoy about Rush! I feel I have a lot in common with NP, as his lyrics speak so profoundly to me. Call me a nerd, but I have the same passion for science fiction that he does. And yes, where is Peter Hammill!?!

That was me, about NP. I've been a life long Rush fan. They have been an inspiration to me on many levels. I'm not saying NP writes bad lyrcis, but I can understand why some people regard them as unemotional, but I think Geddy Lee brings the words to life. NP is an intelligent lyricist, but although they are my favourite band, musically, I have prefered lyricists, namely Peter Gabriel.

And yes, where is PETER HAMMILL. Lord knows how he slipped through the net!! One of my favourite lyrics is 'Still Life'. Grim, darkly comic, beautifully written, and all embracing the horror of immortality.

If a lyricist can bring out the goosebumps in anyone he/she has excelled in their job.  I always thought of Fish as having been inspired by Peter Gabriel more than anyone else. I guess P.Hammill is so overlooked that I failed to noticed the rather obvious PH simularity in the opening of 'Script for a Jesters tear' That IS one of Marillions most touching lyrics, IMO.

'I never did write that love song. The words just never seemed to flow. Now sad in reflection, I gaze through perfection,and examine the shadows on the othe side of morning I examine the shadows on the other side of morning promised wedding hour awake'

PROMISED WEDDING HOUR AWAKE!!!

Right, I'm off home to listen to that now. I take back everything I said about Fish!!

Roger Waters and Derek Dick. But had to split my vote due the first impact Roger had on me with "The Dark Side of the Moon", my first prog recording ever!