Greatest Song Writers

Don't agree with the list? Vote for an existing item you think should be ranked higher or if you are a logged in, add a new item for others to vote on or create your own version of this list.

The Top Ten

1
Pal Waaktaar Savoy
Pal is the best songwriter ever! Thanks, Pal, for your fantastic music!
I love his songs from a-ha and Savoy and I would be glad to hear new songs from him.
He is the greatest songwriter, every song he wrote was fantastic. Songs like "Out of blue comes green", Hunting High And Low", "East of the sun west of the moon" are masterpieces. We will never forget Morten's voice, Mags riffs and your wonderful songs. A-HA FOREVER
More comments about Pal Waaktaar Savoy

2Michael Jackson
KING OF POP

MJDHF
Michael's own solo written and produced tracks were always instant hits. Don't Stop til You Get Enough, You Rock My World, and Black Or White are just some examples of his greatness. Michael has written a few tacky songs, but of course never released them on an album and only gave us his best!
"Speechless", "Earth Song", "I Just Can't Stop Loving You".. He's a song god
More comments about Michael Jackson

3Yoshiki Hayashi
Best at writing at any type of song e.g ballad or heavy or even classical.

TD17

Good writing song Ballad Rock

kakalovex

an genius at this place.. He is the best song writers I've ever meet..

ragil_19

More comments about Yoshiki Hayashi

4Billy Joel

One of the greatest song writers of all time. He is the only singer I feel like that has truly written his life in his songs. Each song is like a scene or moment of his life. Just amazing.


5Richie Sambora
Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel...
Then came Jon Bon Jovi & RICHIE SAMBORA!

Nirmal1991USA

Richie is so awesome! Not only has he contributed to a majority of Bon Jovi's songs, but his solo stuff is amazing!
he's the second songwriter of bon jovi and he wrote his solo stuff!

richie4life

More comments about Richie Sambora

6Elton John

His songwriting is filled with so much soul, his melodies have formed a major part of my love for music, they are so memorable and always get me in the emotional state intended from the song. I can count on Elton John to always get me in the mood I want to be at: happy (i.E. tiny Dancer), sad (i.E. sacrifice), nostalgic (i.E. rocket Man), relaxed (i.E. the One), excited (i.E. levon), romance (i.E. I Guess that's why they call it the blues), empowered (i.E. believe), and even hauntingly beautiful melodies like Where to now St. Peter. He has such a great amount of other great songs as well, absolutely love his musical sense.


7Bob Dylan

You must live in a box if you don't think Dylan is the greatest song writer. He wrote Mr. Tambourine Man, The Mighty Quinn, and Like a Rolling Stone.

I am giving up on this site after seeing this. His songs are just songs they are poems that embody the whole word. He was considered the voice of his generation, the same generation that had the civil rights movement and Vietnam. Like a rolling stone is the most important song in the history of modern music. The reason he is so low has to be people don't know who he is anymore and because of that, to quote dr farnsworth "i don't want to live on this planet anymore"

This list is rediculous if he isn't in the top ten. He is by far the a better writer than most preceding him in this list.

More comments about Bob Dylan

8Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury Bohemian Rhapsody song is by far the best Written song Freddie Mercury wrote that song went down in history as the best Rock song of All Time, with the Deep Lyrics and the Opera sound really showed off Freddie Mercury Four Octave Vocal Range and made him one of the best singers ever, Bohemian Rhapsody song is one of the weirdest songs but the song is also one of the most popular songs ever made by a band and written by Freddie Mercury, and We Are The Champions is a song that nobody can't sing including Bohemian Rhapsody dong, and other songs such as Another One Bites The Dust and the famous Bass Riff song Under Pressure if you can think of the Under Pressure Bass Riff you are a genius and that's what Freddie Mercury was, he was a Genius with a great voice he is one of the strongest Tenors I've ever heard his voice risen in strength and Substance and Conviction and power, God truely blessed Freddie Mercury with a Voice, Love Freddie Mercury.
Too bad people don't listen to the lyrics, they are missing a lot! I was going to recommend you all to listen to the lyrics of Liar or something, but then I remembered that every Freddie song has brilliant lyrics, just like Brian, John and Roger's
If you don't vote for Freddie, I will hunt you down. And stuff. And if you just listen to 'My Melancholy Blues', I think you'll understand he can sing any genre, fool. :-)
More comments about Freddie Mercury

9Tony Banks

10James Hetfield

I love mtallica, the black album has better lyrics than a-ha have ever had, and to top it off, listen to ndeath magnetic

THE BEST. Just listen to Kill 'Em All through the Black Album!

HolyDeth

WHAT THE F. JUST LISTEN TO FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS or ONE or MASTER OF PUPPETS, FADE TO BLACK AND ALL OF METALLICA'S SONGS

More comments about James Hetfield

The Contenders

11Tim Rice-Oxley

There is something seriously wrong if Tim doesn't get to number 1. The guy is a musical genius. Go and listen to Keane's three albums? Tims lyrics will blow you away!

Celle


12Paul McCartney

Um... Best Ever, the only way you people didn't put Paul McCartney #1 is because your a Justin Bieber Fan!

This list is full of paradoxes. There's no doubt that Paul McCartney deserves to be number 1. Those who suppose otherwise are just local supporters of their own national heros, which has nothing to do with the universal appeal of their music.

The single greatest songwriter of all time, hands down. Why is he not number one on this list? This is obviously not a musician-friendly site.

More comments about Paul McCartney

13John Lennon
let's face this truth:

1-john lennon
2-paul mccartney
3-freddie mercury

p. s. : I'm really getting worry about people's mind about dis list!.. "at least" NOT top 10(?!?!?! ) but I still do believe there're lota people like me who know that this man has the best(in any kind of subject you can imagine) lyrics!..

dd369

John and than Paul. This is not just my opinion this is the way it should be. With songs like imagine, come together, dear prudence, all you need is love, strawberry fields forever and I want to hold your hand there really is no way that he shouldn't be number one.
Hands down the greatest musician to ever live. He inspired many great musicians that most people worship, and he pioneered many genres. If you talk about who wrote the best music it is definitely Lennon. And about lyrics, he makes a fight with Morrissey and Bob Dylan.
More comments about John Lennon

14kyo

15Arsen Dedic

16Carole King

A guy from Bon Jovi and a guy from Keane are ahead of this woman?
She wrote Tapestry for gods sake! Just think of all the legends who have sung her songs, Aretha Franklin etc.

This list is a joke! I can't even believe the names I am seeing on this list! Has anyone on here ever heard of Bob Dylan? Townes Van Zandt? Leonard Cohen? Paul Simon?... I can understand why you would have Carole King, Billy Joel, Freddie Mercury, and Michael Jackson on here, and I do like Keane, but this is really a joke. Go back to elementary school for a few more years and try again!


17Veronique Sanson

18Ville Valo

I LOVE ROMANCE AND IN A SONG THATS WHAT REACHES OUT AND TOUCHES MY HEART AND SOUL, AND AFTER A LONG DAY OF HELL, VILLE FILLS ME WITH LOVE AND HOPE IN LOVE AGAIN... THATS WHAT I WANT FROM MUSIC, REFRESHING AND FULL OF LOVE, TAKES ALL THE BULLCRAP OF THE DAY AND WASHES IT AWAY... LOVE YOU VILLE

alyciaisaacs


19Stevie Wonder

20Bruce Springsteen

21Paul Simon

In my opinion, Paul Simon deserves to be in the TOP TEN.
Great melodies and good lyrics.

VERY good song lyrics. one of my favorite song writers

Lizzthaashizz


22Tupac

23Tamer Hosny

Tamer's lyrics are so meaningful, he writes lovely and great songs!

Shakaib


24David Bowie

I'm shocked, no one voted for this dashingly brilliant guy. He is the most inspirational artists of the 20th century, TONES of today's bands just owe him - music, style (hey, J-Rock luvers, visual key was his invention))) - EVERYTHING. At least he deserves this for Ashes to Ashes)))


25Ozzy Osbourne

26Hyde
Prior to L'Arc en Ciel hiatus in 2001-2004, there's not a single of his written-song told the same story. Every one of them has great character and wide range of vocabulary, not to mention his poetic writing style. He wrote a song about puppy love like Picasso painting a beautiful scenery. His written song range from a anybody heart break love song into romeo-juliet complex. From adrenaline rush lover biker story into otherworldly farewell song. And don't forget, all in Shakespeare style.
the main songwriter of the band who has very deep lyrics behind the songs of l arc en ciel

ronluna

very poetic songwriter and a great vocalist

ronluna

More comments about Hyde

27Ann Wilson

Barracuda, Magic man, Crazy on You , Heartless, Even it Up, Lost Angel, ect, ect, ect. Need I say any more.


28Jared Leto

Each lyric has a special meaning to not only myself, but I think that goes for the rest of the Echelon as well. Truly amazing with words, Jared can evoke a sense of happiness, anger, and excitement all in one song, verse, or even line like no other songwriter out there.

When he writes songs, each song has something everyone can relate to. That's what makes him so incredible.

Every song he writes incites emotions. That's a sign of a true songwriter.


29Kurt Cobain

Part of his genius was his ability to write great songs with meaning and an edge. The voice of his generation (whether he liked it or not).

Kurt was a troubled guy, but because of that it made him one of the greatest song writers of all time. In dave Grohls words "he could take something that would take me an hour to explain and put it in two words". It's sad to see him so far down here at 31.


30Axl Rose

31Nancy Wilson

Their are only a hand full of bands that have the body of work that Ann & Nancy Wilson have when it comes to song writing. Heart had 20 songs reach the top 40 including two # 1 hits and now, in there 50's, they are still writing and recording.Ann & Nancy wrote some of the best ROCK songs ever with the Hits- BARRACUDA , CRAZY ON YOU, Magic Man and Love Alive. Not bad for a couple girls from Washington State. Love Ann & Nan ,HEART RULES.


32Gackt

You must read his Last song english lyrics.

Lucius

You must listen Last song or Kimi ni aitakute or Saikai~story for knowing what I´m talking about...


33Joni Mitchell

34Roger Waters

Better than anyone, only David Gilmour ties with him!

QuarantineGames

Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals, The Wall, and The Final Cut - his masterwork with Pink Floyd

Zahveed


35Jon Bon Jovi

thatss right richie4life, and don't forget his best song: HAVE A NICE DAY!

andres101

bon jovi's song are so powerful and they show so much feelings...

richie4life


36Günther

He writes his own music and it rules!


37Billie Joe Armstrong
How is he not already here?
He is really great Green Day is amazing Wake Me Up When September Ends and Today is Tomorrow are so poetic and deep

hardrockboyguitar13


38Noel Gallagher
I heard many many album and the most attractive album I've ever heard is, what the story(morning glory). First time I heard the album was about five years ago, when I see an old casseste on my car deck and I don't know hwos left it cause many people use my car. I'm not an oasis fan before so I not hope a lot from that cassete and its contain. Damn, I don't know how can he create somany great arranged great songs in just 1 album. Even the song that not become an official single in the market was sounds really good, and I believe that those unrealeased songs can be a market hit if the band just release it. He must be a musical genius. That album more than just music, it almost a spiritual experience and I can really feel the things caled pshycedelic effect in listening music. That's why so many oasis fans hwo really now about their quality oftenly said that this was the best band in the world. And I trully understand what they feel.
Noel Gallagher is the most genius songwriter ever. It should be placed in the top ten at least. Need more than a talent to create some glorious song like wonderwall and champagne supernova
He should be in the Top 10, you need many talent to write a song like Wonderwall or Morning Glory and so on...
More comments about Noel Gallagher

39Izzy Stradlin

40Anthony Kiedis

41Isono Hiroshi

d'erlanger lyricist and vocalist

ronluna


42Conor Oberst

Conor Oberst's lyrics send shivers down your spine, on occasions, if you're in the right mood, they can make you weep, ("first a mother bathes her child, then the other way around, the scales always find a way to level out")or laugh, ("Still I'd rather be working for a paycheck than waiting to win the lottery") or reflect, or feel human. They go deeper than most. Alongside Alex Turner, Robert Smith, Morrissey and Eminem, brilliance.

Conor Oberst has a way of writing songs that makes you feel like he just peaked inside your mind.

hairloop27


43Avril Lavigne

ilike her songs girlfriend with lilmama and nobody,s home
princess11

princess11

Avril Lavigne is the Queen!!!!

Devilbones30


44Mariah Carey

Not only could Mariah Carey sing with a 5-7 octave vocal range, but she had another hidden talent a secret weapon she is a great songwriter just go back to the first album self- titled Mariah Carey in 1990 the songs are just to powerful and great lyrics deep lyrics and she was just giving us a taste of things to come than the first album songs like vision of love, all in your mind, and love takes time best songwriting from her she is a powerful singer and impressive songwriter as well.

definitely THE BEST!...
what's with you people?.. /

yohpercy

gawd! cnt believe she's not even in the choices! she's the best!


45Robert Plant

He's so creative and very imaginative


46Nikki Sixx

Nikki Sixx is the best song writer in all of rock music. He wrote most of Motley Crue's and Sixx: A.M. 's songs. Nikki Sixx deserves no less than top 20.


47Matt Bellamy

51?!? Are you insane? Go and hear any Muse song, all written by him, all great rock songs. He needs to be in the top ten!

darksky

All of Muse songs are written by him!

23delusions


48Chris Cornell

Best song writing there ever was. From Soundgarden to Audioslave.

Battlegun


49eminem

50Tom Waits

51Taylor Swift
Come on! I got to scroll down to find this TALENTED singer? She could easily be at the top! She's just so good I actually CAN'T believe she only 79. Her songs are like THE BEST. It's written in such a good way and every of them touched my heart. Don't they touch YOUR heart?
Why isn't Taylor swift in the top ten? She has been writing songs since she was 16 and they were all a hit! I hear everybody singing to them and she just has a gift with songwriting and wrote them from her heart!
This is ridicoulouse... First of all taylor swift is amazing and shold definitely be higher on this list unlike many young artists today she writes her own songs and their all huge hits... And another thing that agravates me is a lot of these atist I never evan heard of and then again some of them even in the top ten I don't think are that good... I AM NOT SAYING THAT TAYLOR SWIFT IS THE GREATEST SONGWRITER OF ALL TIME BUT SHE definitely doesn't DESERVE TO BE AT NUMBER 60 ON THIS LIST... COME ON PEOPLE...

52Chester Bennington

with songs like catalyst, it should be in at least top 20

sanketbhambhani


53Maynard James Keenan

All of the songs he's written focus on a facent of the human spirit that many have not focused on. He's a song writer for three seperate bands, all of which focus on a portion of the human spirit which he expemplfies

even as a big fan of Queen I have to admit that Maynard is the best song writer ever! his songs go so deep, ALL of them.


54Elvis Costello

55James Taylor

Uhmm have you people heard "fire and rain" and all the rest of his work! He writes from his heart! He's a melodic genius and he definitely deserves to be in the top 10 at least!


56Carly Simon

57Pete Townshend

58Jim Croce

59Bono

Absolutely the best songwriter ever, he is king of lyrics and god of music. He should be in TOP3.

The greatest song writer of all time. Listen to the lyrics of One.


60Ruki (The Gazette)

His songs are really cool! The Gazette - the best Rock Band in Japan and in the world!

Ruki's lyrics are very profound. They often deal with real world events. He writes and sings what others do not dare to say. He's right. There are so many bad things in the world and he concerns oneself with it. He treats the themes very sensitive and considerate without hurting someone.

On stage you realize how much Ruki puts into it in his lyrics. During the performance he is carried away by the songs and sinks into them. You can see that he honestly believes his words. With his soulful kind and his songs, he can make people happy and sad at the same time.

Ruki's lyrics are characterized by his feelings and by its expressive way. No text is like another and each contains something valuable.

Thank you Ruki, for your wonderful texts and songs!
Many and lovely Greetings from Germany~


61George Harrison

62Neil Diamond

63Leonard Cohen

64Martin Gore
Main song writer in depeche mode and as single artist.

65Edward Van Halen

Better songwriter then he was a guitarist. and thats that he was a spectacular guitar player

GuitarFreeeK


66Neil Young
I can't believe Neil Young is not at least top 20, for me he is number 1. My best guess is that they couldn't find his name? Who knows.

Hey hey my my, Rock an Roll Can Never Die
Neil young is the best songwriter and singer that I know of. What kind of person would put him at so low? His voice and songs are wonderful. He should be in the top ten.

67Trevor McNevan

68Todd Rundgren

69Prince

With only the Purple Rain album he slays everyone else! MJ didn't write all his songs!


70Laura Nyro

71Randy Newman

72Johnny Cash

73Willie Nelson

74Burt Bacharach

75Jeff Buckley

76Lou Reed

77Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon lightfoot really should be in the top ten! I mean bob Dylan was his biggest admirer

78Eric Carmen

79Patti Dahlstrom

80Pete Wentz

81Gerard Way

82Ryan Tedder

83Lady Gaga
Lady gaga's music has a very powerful meaning. Each song has it's own story and is able to explain something amazing. When I listen to her music it always speaks to me. I love her so much. Some people just think she is an annoying singer who doesn't deserve being called an artist but honestly to me she is an amazing woman who is capable of mostly anything. I am very proud of being able to call her my mother monster when you really think about and get a chance to see her on an interveiw you will really get to to see what kind of person she is. Love you mother monster and remember : "when you're lonely I'll be lonely too, and this is the fame" love and art 12-18 1974 :) paws

84Kris Kristofferson

85John Prine

86Curtis Mayfield

87Tim Buckley

88John Cale

89David Porter

90Jimmy Buffett

91Lucinda Williams

92David Gilmour

93Ray Davies

94Robbie Robertson

95Joan Armatrading

96Elliott Smith

The most talented songwriter of the last 15 years.

Ekolod


97Rob Thomas

98Ellen Shipley

Great singer and hit songwriter for so many varied artists. Passionate and intelligent!


99Jimmy Page

100Jarvis Cocker

Comments About This List

Featured Lists
Popular Lists
New Lists

Blog Posts About This List

Be the first to add a post about this list

Top Remixers of This List

madwomanmoon

mleat97

Powerslave

List Info

This list was created 5 years, 277 days ago and has been voted on over 6,000 times. This top ten list contains 169 items, has been remixed 3 times.

Updated Sunday, May 19, 2013


List Error Reporting

See an item on this list that's mispelled, duplicated, or doesn't belong? Let us know. Click here to report the error.