This song was in my head today and it got me thinking of the best singer song writers. Jim Croce has to be high up the list

Jason Isbell is my current favorite singer songwriter. Man, he can write a song. Not exactly a hot take but I think Dylan is the OG singer songwriter.

Van Morrison is probably my favorite right now. Been really digging his stuff the last few years.

Paul Simon also a HOFer in this category.

Isbell and Stapleton are the modern studs.

Elton John writes the music, not the lyrics.

Bob Dylan
Jason Isbell
John Lennon
Paul Simon
Johnny Cash
Townes Van Zandt
Willie Nelson
Bruce Springsteen
John Denver
Neil Young

My top ten. In that order.

1. John Prine

Currently obsessed with Tyler Childers.

ApachePilot said:

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AgLaw said:

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Bob Dylan
Jason Isbell
John Lennon
Paul Simon
Johnny Cash
Townes Van Zandt
Willie Nelson
Bruce Springsteen
John Denver
Neil Young

My top ten. In that order.

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Hard to argue with that

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It's "Pretty good, not bad, I can't complain" as singer songwriter lists that don't include John Prine go.

But Bob Dylan can't sing.

honorable mention - Jeff Buckley - we only got one album but it was greatness. Hallelujah for that.

10tie. Lou Reed and Tom Waits - these two took their genres in new directions and forged unique paths
9. Leonard Cohen - the original master
8. James Taylor - beautiful songs and music
7. Joni Mitchell - introspection personified
6. Jackson Brown - perfect song craftsmanship at times, great writer
5. Billy Joel - a really great storyteller and can paint a picture. NYer through and thru
4. Van Morrison - irish blues man and songwriter, who mingled in pop, jazz, and folk
3. Neil Young - his lyrics are biting and poignant, combined brilliantly with the rough edges of his music
2. Bruce Springsteen - early work particularly was poetry and angst combined, raw and pure and honest.

1. Paul Simon - Nobody wrote more accessible music and deep intelligent lyrics and then set them to such a variety of styles and world influences. I've heard "the Boxer" described as the music equivalent of the great American novel and thats a perfect description.

So many of his songs just seem like stories and together are almost even something more like a tapestry of Americana.

Bridge over Troubled Water
Sound of Silence
El Condor Pasa
A Hazy Shade of Winter
Cecilia
The Boxer
Mrs. Robinson
Me and Julio down by the schoolyard
You Can Call me Al
I am a Rock
Slip Slidin Away
59th Street Bridge
America
Scarborough Fair
For Emily
Still Crazy After all these Years
Graceland

Tom Petty needs a mention. He was one of those rare singer-songwriters whose work got better over time. Echo, Wildflowers, Highway Companion, Hypnotic Eye... Some of his very best work was made in the later era of his career.

Petty could easily be on my list. He's probably 10(a).

Bob Marley

Zombie Jon Snow said:

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honorable mention - Jeff Buckley - we only got one album but it was greatness. Hallelujah for that.

10tie. Lou Reed and Tom Waits - these two took their genres in new directions and forged unique paths
9. Leonard Cohen - the original master
8. James Taylor - beautiful songs and music
7. Joni Mitchell - introspection personified
6. Jackson Brown - perfect song craftsmanship at times, great writer
5. Billy Joel - a really great storyteller and can paint a picture. NYer through and thru
4. Van Morrison - irish blues man and songwriter, who mingled in pop, jazz, and folk
3. Neil Young - his lyrics are biting and poignant, combined brilliantly with the rough edges of his music
2. Bruce Springsteen - early work particularly was poetry and angst combined, raw and pure and honest.

1. Paul Simon - Nobody wrote more accessible music and deep intelligent lyrics and then set them to such a variety of styles and world influences. I've heard "the Boxer" described as the music equivalent of the great American novel and thats a perfect description.

So many of his songs just seem like stories and together are almost even something more like a tapestry of Americana.

Bridge over Troubled Water
Sound of Silence
El Condor Pasa
A Hazy Shade of Winter
Cecilia
The Boxer
Mrs. Robinson
Me and Julio down by the schoolyard
You Can Call me Al
I am a Rock
Slip Slidin Away
59th Street Bridge
America
Scarborough Fair
For Emily
Still Crazy After all these Years
Graceland

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I love Buckley and agree with you but he didn't write hallelujah. Leonard Cohen did

His version is the best though

No love for Gordon Lightfoot?

John Denver
Michael Martin Murphy
Dan Fogelberg
JJ Cale

Chris Stapleton - was writing songs forever before his own hit big.

Troutslime said:

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John Denver
Michael Martin Murphy
Dan Fogelberg
JJ Cale

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Dan Fogelberg is great. My all time favorite

Patty Griffin

Some good choices on this, but no Guy Clark? Really? Are you all communists?

Others I think fit the genre. Not exactly "the greatest" but I like sharing artist in this arena. Some might have already been listed.

Bingham
Gregory Alan Isakov
John Moreland
Cryin' Ryan Adams (his old stuff is fantastic)
Stapleton
Sturgill
Iron and Wine
Shakey Graves

Smokey Robinson is a great song writer that never seems to get any love on this board.