I'm sure this topic must have been posted before, but who is your favorite all-time lyricist?

It doesn't nessessarily have to be 'a songwriter'.
For example, Bernie Taupin wasn't a 'songwriter' but he was a lyricist.

I'll start it off with my first three favorite:
1. Bob Dylan
2. Bob Dylan
3. Bob Dylan...

Jeez, Runningbear, you spell like an American! No offense to our American friends, it's just that in Canada we follow the Brits and spell FAVOURITE with a 'u'!lol. Ok, here goes...

PAUL SIMON, #1 MASTER LYRICIST

Okay, Bob Dylan, too.

John Prine is another fave.

Well, Whitedove... I live in Canada, and at school, they always told me to write it without the 'u'.

Oh dear, oh dear, my fellow Canadians!
Don't know what to do with this comment!
It's about the "u"'s in words!
I was raised and educated in Ontario in the 50s and 60s and we proudly and beligerently used the "u" in words such as flavour, colour, etc! It was akin to saying "zed" instead of "zee"! It was almost like a badge of honour or something! It was just DONE!

When I hit thirty, I moved to British Columbia. My daugher was in elementary school. In Gr. 4 she was sent home with a page of spelling corrections. It was her first error ever, really.
...because she spelled favorite as "favourite", as I had told her the night before when she consulted me! Well, her teacher marked it as an error and wanted her to write it out 60 TIMES!

I was on the blower quick as a wink! Our conversation was not pretty! Her teacher had come from Saskatchewan and was certain he was RIGHT! The textbook was American. I was heated...!

Funny you should bring this up, and funny I should get so excited about it! I gotta run! Honest!

Okay, here is where I have to add that Runningbear is my fav'our'ite lyricist. Why? Well, because he said my 'proper' Canadian spelling was gonna get a reaction, and also because he swallows a dictionary each and every mornin'! HONEST!

Oh, Whitedove...is it "Alpha-bits"???

...ok, now all the Canadians are gone

my "favourite" (the letter "u" doesn't concern me, but I am Aussie, so I will spell it the way I was taught to... ) lyricists would be:

1) John Lennon
2) Jeff Buckley
3) Elvis Costello

...I'm going to stop now, even though I don't want to...

Is that done? Can I interject my crass American favorites?
Don't worry, I have to deal with this every day of my life.

I think you've chosen some of my favorites. Bernie Taupin was the first one I thought of.
Paul Simon is excellent.
Dylan I'm not as fond of Dylan, in that I don't consider him a demi God or anything.

Prine was good.

Carole King was excellent.

Bruyere, didn't you know that to us, you Americans are demi-gods? Seriously, we do not find you crass, we want to be like you...I think Lefois made my point with her story about the teacher with the American text book.

And, Lefois, alpha'bits' is that like sour grapes? Sorry, just love to tease Runningbear whenever I gets the chance!

Okay, just had to add the Bee Gees--don't know which one, or all, but some wonderful stuff like: Gotta get a message to you...

Also, I LUV Carol King. Drive the kids crazy by telling them that when I leave this planet they have to play Tapestry!!!

Sorry, didn't realize that that little guy sticks his tongue out...

Too bad I can't put a picture in here, I not only looked like her, but my range is about the same.
She is an incredible song writer.

Joan Armatrading is good, just heard her the other day. What a voice!

Good one! Carole King's 'Tapestry' is also a fave of mine. But I can't let that slip by without at least a passing nod to James Taylor

I would be very remiss if I did not mention...

Stan Rogers -Canadian (gone now)

...and if you DON'T KNOW who he is...well..find him and give a listen!

Sweet Baby James drug problem was really bad and I'm so happy to see he's doing better. I had a great album, the song book with the tablature when I was trying to learn a bit more about the guitar. I used to manage Steam Roller Blues, the arrangement was ok even for a string instrument impaired person like me!!

If I were to say I think that Stan by Eminem is an interesting ballad, would you shoot me down?
It strikes me as being one. Of course if Dido's lovely voice weren't in the background it would not be the same.

Just posted to favourite singer and relized that I needed to meantion "Jewel" and "Alanis Morrisette". Very powerful female lyricists, in my opinion.

..ok showing my age here, but I'm going to cheat and say:

Roy Orbison ("Comedians" is my fave Big O song!)
George Harrison (Something)
Lou Reed (Perfect Day)
Nick Cave (Mercy Seat)
Jim Morrison (The End)

George Harrison, James Taylor, Bobby Bare and Waylon Jennings. Let's not forget Conway Twitty and George Jones!

John Lennon
Elvis Costello
Joe Strummer(The Clash)
Stevie Nicks
Adam Duritz(Counting Crows)

Dave Matthews!!!

I have always found Neil Peart's (Rush) lyrics interesting, though sometimes cold. Leonard Cohen has always been intriguing, and I also like Ozzy's lyrics for metal. Who doesn't love "I am Iron Man!"

Yes Carole King, Yes Bernie Taupin, Yes James Taylorand yes Joan Armatrading.

I'd also add

Cole Porter - an oldie but a goodie
Chris Difford from Squeeze - give them a listen
Tracey Thorn from Everything But the Girl
Annie Lennox
and Jim Croce - Time in a Bottle - fantastic.

I vote for Patti Smith and Elvis Costello.

Dennis

Either Luke Haines or Neil Hannon, neither of whom have had anything like the exposure they deserve.

Leonard Cohen, Paul Heaton, Tom Waits, Kris Kristopherson, ? Timmons (Cowboy Junkies).

Top 5 in no particular order:
1. Kurt Cobain-Nirvana
2. Gavin Rosdale-Bush
3. Ozzy Osbourne-Black Sabbath,Ozzy(solo)
4. James Hetfield-Metallica
5. Glenn Danzig-The Misfits,Samhain,Danzig