Which rock singer is the best lyricist?

I know i always go on about ryan adams but he gets my vote.

My personal favorites would be chris robinson, shannon hoon and jeff tweedy.

In terms of heavier rock Keenan has to be way up there. Schism is a gorgeous song and one of my personal favorites. It's poetic and very personable.

Billy Corgan would be another in that Keenan realm for me.

ETA: it'll seem cheesy on this board, but Nothing Else Matters is personally one of my favorites. It's simple, but the message to go along with the guitar's "singing" in that song is positive and uplifting.

Maybe old Coldplay if I'm sticking with the 90s or later theme?

Thom Yorke and Maynard are two of my favorites as well.

Turin Brakes are a lesser known band, but those guys write great lyrics.


Future Boy

The Road

Ryan Adams
MJK
Brandon Boyd

Wouldn't consider it Rock, but Ben Gibbard is an incredible lyricist.

Brandon Boyd is awful. MJK isn't great either.

Bryan Ferry
Peter Gabriel
James McMurtry
Jackson Browne
Jeff Tweedy
John Hiatt
Jules Shear
Lyle Lovett
Paul Simon
Pierce Pettis
Michael Stipe
Randy Newman
Shawn Colvin
Jay Farrar
Donald Fagen
Stephan Jenkins
Fee Waybill
Van Morrison
Willy Porter

Mike Patton

Steve Kilby

quote:

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Maynard James Keenan

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Would be my #1 as well.

Going back to Lennon-McCartney (both would be candidates), Dylan (of course), Robert Plant (the stuff he didn't rip off), Roger Waters, Ann Wilson, Stevie Nicks, Prince (in that rock/funk groove), Bono (yes, Bono), Hetfield (underrated, IMHO, because of how silly they look since that dumb movie), Corgan, Cobain and Vedder.

That would be a good, solid working list.

(ETA: Yeah, Paul Simon almost not rock, but should be on the list, Warren Zevon and Sting).

Tunde Adebimpe is the equal of anyone mentioned so far.