Dylan of course. Morrison actually did have some OK song lyrics, but have you ever read his poetry book? It's absolutely horrible, pretentious, teenage level crap. I think I may let his bad poetry influence his lyrics. In truth his lyrics aren't bad, and some are actually pretty good.
Townes Van Zandt He was the epitome of a troubadour. He didn't sell many records and is relatively unknown. Pancho & Lefty is the most recognizable song that he wrote and it was made popular by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. <object width="425" height="349"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LOzvGyv8ALo&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LOzvGyv8ALo&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="349"></embed></object>
The machinist climbs his Ferris wheel like a braid And the fire-eater's lyin' in a pool of sweat, victim of the heat wave Behind the tent, the hired hand tightens his legs on the sword swallower's blade Circus town's on the shortwave Well, the runway lies ahead like a great false dawn Fat lady, big mama, Missy Bimbo sits in her chair and yawns And the man-beast lies in his cage sniffin' popcorn And the midget licks his fingers and suffers Missy Bimbo's scorn Circus town's been born Springsteen, Wild Billy's Circus Story
pink floyd/ roger waters interpol-turn on the bright lights (more clever then deep sometimes) bob marley in my opinion cunninlynguists (hip hop) neil diamond ( kidding )
I haven't read anything but the OP. I have to acknowledge how hilarious it is that STAIND is his starting point for a discussion on lyrical interpretation. Seriously, I couldn't pick a more lyrically worthless band if I tried. Well, maybe I could...
I think you'd almost have to say the best lyrical band was The Beatles, mainly for having 3 great lyricists. I mean, it's tough enough to have 2 really good lyricists in a band (The Who, Buffalo Springfield, and a few others- most only have 1), but to have 3? That's almost unheard of. Just for these 3 songs alone: Lennon- Come Together McCartney- Hey Jude Harrison- While My Guitar Gently Weeps They have to be considered one of the best lyrical bands of all time.
