Great lyricists

I'm listening to "Goodbye yellow brick road"by Elton John.

Still in love with his melodic tunes

your mission bells were wrought by ancient men

The roots were formed by twisted roots, your roots were twisted then

I was re-born before all life could die

The phoenix bird will leave this world to fly

If the phoenix bird can fly then so can I

don't know what it means but I love the way it goes

The lyrics, songwriting, is as somebody pointed out, pretty hard when discussing Prog Rock. Some dislike lyrics mostly because they want their Prog to be instrumental, and those with an ear for more pop-prog will prefer lyrics as the human element is in the eletronic musical output.

My favorite is beyond any doubt ROGER WATERS. His deep down insight of the human nature has been there from day one, and still is present. I know some of you will say: Hey dude, you dont consider Pink Floyd Prog Rock, so what is this now ! Ok since some of you do consider, and I agree that some PF material is indeed prog rock, most of it is rythm 'n blues disguised in prog format. (and thats ok too...) The power of Mr. Waters lyrics are outstanding not only from a Geopolitical point of view but with a vast knowledge of psychiatry, the choosen words stabs where they should. If you've noticed, many of the hurting, painful sentences are followed up by beautiful saxophone - The highway to the the heart and mind.

Jon Anderson is my second choise, beautiful clean fantasy poetry from imaginary scenescapes, futuristic and yet brilliant.

Robert Calvert of Hawkwind, Peter Gabriel of Genesis and Greg Lake are other great songwriters that makes my music listening experience worth.

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Lunar from Rainy Rio de Janeiro !

Hi:

I should add David Cousins, from Strawbs. His poetry can easyly be read on its own:

  Here in the windchill years of our lives
We dwell in the shade of evergreen
Stirring the last of the slow burning embers
Counting our way through a year of Decembers.

I love the last line. Very sad, though. He is also famous among fans for the... ehem.., particular images he sometimes uses:

Her breasts are gentle snowdrifts
In an open field
The supple fingered winter wind
The grass concealed
And though the winter wind may be deceiving
I feel her breathing
At my fingertips.

An many more examples. In his early records, he also has several story-like songs, something I quite like: The Battle, The Vision of the Lady in the Lake, The Man Who Called Himself Jesus...

My favourites consist of most mentioned by the others being.

1. Fish, farout the best lyricist I know.

Neil Peart, I like the futuristic and (pseudo-)scientific theme's

Gabriel, though I find him hard to follow sometimes (did he wrote all lyrics for Genesis????)

Clive Nolan, it's not brilliant, but it does connect well to his music (Moviedrome, and Sirens, music and lyrics in perfect harmonie)

Jon Anderson, Survival is great,

              If we were flours we would worship the sun (later work).

for non-prog I like Tim Rice, Bernie Taupin (I'm a great Elton John Afficionado) and Neil Young

Blacksword wrote: Reed Lover wrote: Fish for the intense poetry of his work. Peart (No mention, shame on you guys!) for his intense intellect. Agreed. Why no mention for Peart?? He has been criticised for not being emotional enough, or being too scientific. I think he has written some very moving lyrics over the years, 'Ghost of a chance' and 'The pass' to name but a few from the 80's and 90's. With regard to Fish, I think I've had this discussion before. I had not listerned to Marillion for a long time until recently. I seem to remember some of his lyrics being a little too 'arty farty' for my liking. But, I concede I was wrong. The lyrcis to songs like 'Incubus' and 'Cinderella search' are masterfull. Not forgetting 'Script for a jesters tear' Also Peter Gabriel, Peter Hammil, Bob Calvert, Nick Drake, Roger Waters..

I think Cinderella Search is a triumph! Some of the most wonderful lyrics ever, and not even an official album release!

Reed Lover wrote: Fish for the intense poetry of his work. Peart (No mention, shame on you guys!) for his intense intellect.

Agreed. Why no mention for Peart?? He has been criticised for not being emotional enough, or being too scientific. I think he has written some very moving lyrics over the years, 'Ghost of a chance' and 'The pass' to name but a few from the 80's and 90's.

With regard to Fish, I think I've had this discussion before. I had not listerned to Marillion for a long time until recently. I seem to remember some of his lyrics being a little too 'arty farty' for my liking. But, I concede I was wrong. The lyrcis to songs like 'Incubus' and 'Cinderella search' are masterfull. Not forgetting 'Script for a jesters tear'

Also Peter Gabriel, Peter Hammil, Bob Calvert, Nick Drake, Roger Waters..

Fish for the intense poetry of his work.

Peart (No mention, shame on you guys!) for his intense intellect.

Fish

Peter Hammill

Peter Gabriel

Geoff Mann

Thom Yorke

Roy Harper:

Hey Mr Wilson! Hey mr Heath!

Can't you pull your pants up boys, I'm standing underneath!