Greatest American Singer Songwriter

[metal beat]

 

  Please think about this and vote.  All the singer songwriters on the poll are pretty damn awesome, so no losers on this. And yes, Neil Young is from Canada, but much like Australia who claim Kiwis as our own, so does America,

 

 

 For me, Its Prince - his ability to write, perform and produce every bit of music he wrote is unthinkable, as well as all the songs he wrote for other people.

Edited July 23, 2021 by metal beat

[tripitaka]

Isn't Neil Young Canadian? In which case, I think Joni Mitchell would deserve a spot (more influential on later music than many in the list)

[metal beat]

2 minutes ago, tripitaka said:

Isn't Neil Young Canadian? In which case, I think Joni Mitchell would deserve a spot (more influential on later music than many in the list)

 

Can you read?   See my post

[tripitaka]

No offence intended.

over and out

[emesbee]

I voted other. I think Loudon Wainwright III should be added to the list.

 

 

[metal beat]

Just now, emesbee said:

I voted other. I think Loudon Wainwright III should be added to the list.

 

 

 

Loudon Wainwright III is America's greatest singer songwriter  - interesting.

[emesbee]

3 minutes ago, metal beat said:

 

Loudon Wainwright III is America's greatest singer songwriter  - interesting.

One of them.

It all depends on your definition of 'greatest'. 

Edited July 23, 2021 by emesbee

[metal beat]

3 minutes ago, emesbee said:

 One of them.

 

 

You voted him higher than the other 9 people on the list. 

[brumby]

• Paul Simon
• John Prine
• Joni Mitchell
• Merle Haggard
• Carole King
• Gordon Lightfoot
• James Taylor
• Frank Zappa
• Henry Mancini

And last but very far from least

• Tom Lehrer!!

See your nine and raise you one.  And yes, I voted "other", much as I admire Bob Dylan

[Jake]

Tough call. 

 

"American Singer Songwriter" spans so many genres. Where else could Prince go up against Bob Dylan, Neil Young and James Taylor.

 

I have favourites, but does that make them the best?

 

[MTL]

William Martin Joel should be on the list

[metal beat]

Just now, MTL said:

William Martin Joel should be on the list

 

Is he the best ?   If no, mute point as we can't put everyone down.  Besides, Billy has not had a studio album released in 28 years.  Not in the mix sorry. 

[Jake]

I will also add that although I have the greatest respect and admiration for Prince and his body of work, and the fact that he could single-handedly produce so much amazing music from such a young age, he does not spring to mind when discussing singer-songwriter.

 

I would think of Bill Callahan before I thought of prince, and I love Bill bet he ain't the best.

 

[metal beat]

1 minute ago, Jake said:

I will also add that although I have the greatest respect and admiration for Prince and his body of work, and the fact that he could single-handedly produce so much amazing music from such a young age, he does not spring to mind when discussing singer-songwriter.

 

I would think of Bill Callahan before I thought of prince, and I love Bill bet he ain't the best.

 

 

C'mon Jake  - gotta choose one.    If I was not a Prince fam, Dlyan would be the choice.  still making great music in his 80's.

[Ray H]

4 minutes ago, metal beat said:

 

Is he the best ?   If no, mute point as we can't put everyone down.  Besides, Billy has not had a studio album released in 28 years.  Not in the mix sorry. 

So why is “other” an option in your pole if your just going to shoot them down ?

 

Shouldnt it be “other” (as long as it’s approved by metal bent ?).

[metal beat]

5 minutes ago, Ray H said:

So why is “other” an option in your pole if your just going to shoot them down ?

 

Shouldnt it be “other” (as long as it’s approved by metal bent ?).

 

So far only Brumby has actually chosen a best of on the list  - no issues from me and I liked it,  as we all have an opinion. 

 

  Everyone else seems to be debating who should be on the list,  not who they believe is the absolute greatest,  so what is your point?

 

 Btw, who do u think is the greatest since he/she is not on the list.

Edited July 23, 2021 by metal beat

[Monty]

I'm down for Bob Dylan. A boring choice perhaps. But not IMO a boring singer-songwriter! He's been my favourite from anywhere since I first listened properly to my parents' Dylan records when I was 15. 

[Ray H]

The fact you don’t see the point is no surprise to me.

 

For the benefit of the thread, I don’t really rate any of them too highly in the overall pantheon of singers tbh, but I would say Bob Dylan seems to be about as entrenched in US music folklore and appropriately prolific to be number one as any of them.
 

I would think Roy Orbison, Carole King, James Taylor and Neil Diamond would make the list though.

 

It’s “moot” point btw.

[Graywulf]

12 minutes ago, Ray H said:

The fact you don’t see the point is no surprise to me.

 

For the benefit of the thread, I don’t really rate any of them too highly in the overall pantheon of singers tbh, but I would say Bob Dylan seems to be about as entrenched in US music folklore and appropriately prolific to be number one as any of them.
 

I would think Roy Orbison, Carole King, James Taylor and Neil Diamond would make the list though.

 

It’s “moot” point btw.

I'm glad you raised Neil Diamond, how the hades heck he was left off the initial list is just?????? (and I'm not much of a 'fan', but I recognise his prolific songwriting ability)

[vinilink]

I tick 'other' to vote for Leonard Cohen. It's a tough call.

[MTL]

This is a pointless exercise

[metal beat]

22 minutes ago, Ray H said:

The fact you don’t see the point is no surprise to me.

 

For the benefit of the thread, I don’t really rate any of them too highly in the overall pantheon of singers tbh, but I would say Bob Dylan seems to be about as entrenched in US music folklore and appropriately prolific to be number one as any of them.
 

I would think Roy Orbison, Carole King, James Taylor and Neil Diamond would make the list though.

 

It’s “moot” point btw.

 

So you ***** and complain about the list,  but can't actually give an answer of who you would rate as your overall favourite. 

 

 The fact that you don't see the point is no surprise to me.

[Ray H]

No mate I didn’t whinge about the list, just your usual OTT reaction and axxxxance to someone that bothered to offer a reply and alternative is what I commented on.

 

The fact you just “parrot” back a comment I wrote to you says it all really. Devoid.

 

[cheekyboy]

Don’t think the list is long enough, Shane, and no women? I’m a Lucinda Williams fan, so would have her on there and surely Neil Diamond should get a guernsey? From your list, I’d have to vote for Bob Dylan.

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

[sir sanders zingmore]

14 minutes ago, cheekyboy said:

Don’t think the list is long enough, Shane, and no women? I’m a Lucinda Williams fan, so would have her on there and surely Neil Diamond should get a guernsey? From your list, I’d have to vote for Bob Dylan.

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

Agree Keith, plenty of great women to consider. I’ve only recently discovered Lucinda (I know, I know). 
 

Carole King

Nina Simone

Joni Mitchell of course

 

Edited July 23, 2021 by sir sanders zingmore