Great lyricists

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.

_________

Lunar from Rainy Rio de Janeiro !

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

Edited by tuxon

Peter Gabriel
Jon Anderson
Neil Peart
Tony Banks
James Taylor
and many many more...

Lunarscape wrote: 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.

Lyrics and verses are as much part of the song as the music itself. the good singers contribute with their voice as much as the guitarist, bassist, drummer or the keyboardplayer. but their contibution can be easaly understanded for it is a language we readelly understand. So we might be underestimating their influence on the sound of the recorded work.

So it's not the human element you reffer to, but it's our acknollegement of the lyrics and the vocals to be part of the music,

for example, Im listening to tales of topographic oceans right now, and the words don't have much meaning to me ( if the lyrics have any meaning please let me now???).But I consider the singing to be a part of the musical experience, and I can't Imagine this album, without Jon's vocal.

1.Jon Anderon

2. Peter Hammill

3. Peter Gabriel

4. Fish

5 My Dad . John McGuigan

The best is my mother language poet Ivan Strpka

English writing libretists: Neil Peart, Jon Anderson, Peter Hammill, Fish, Genesis (have no idea who did what); but honestly, my mother language is closer to my heart.

ps. there are legendary great lyrics within Tubular bells: 'grand piano.......tubular bells'

or tangerine dream's exit: 'afrika amerika australia azia jevropa, eta zemlja....

As many people have mentioned, Neil Peart, Jon Anderson and Peter Hamill. I'm tempted to throw Trevor Horn in there too, but I don't think he's quite as good. Frank Zappa is just a hilarious lyricist 

Jello Biafra, Robert Wyatt, Lou Reed and Keith Reid.

i forgot leonard cohen, bob dylan too

Echoes of the Broadway Everglades,
With her mythical madonnas still walking in their shades:
Lenny Bruce, declares a truce and plays his other hand.
Marshall McLuhan, casual viewin, head buried in the sand.
Sirens on the rooftops wailing, but theres no ship sailing.
Groucho, with his movies trailing, stands alone with his punchline failing.
Klu Klux Klan serve hot soul food and the band plays In the Mood
The cheerleader waves her cyanide wand,
Theres a smell of peach blossom and bitter almonde.
Caryl Chessman sniffs the air and leads the parade, he know in a scent,
You can bottle all you made.
Theres Howard Hughes in blue suede shoes,
Smiling at the majorettes smoking Winston Cigarettes.
And as the song and dance begins,
The children play at home with needles; needles and pins.


Gabriel takes the freakin' cake - again.