Greatest Songwriters -

[AnOminous]

Sometimes these aren't also great performers, but sometimes they are.

Bob Dylan is sort of notorious for erratic performances of his brilliant songs, sometimes being nearly unlistenable.

Then there's this guy, Townes van Zandt.

 

[LiveFromNS]

Greatest can be interpreted a few ways: income, hits, # of cover versions, total output, and of course lyrical content.

Using any criteria, here are some from me:

Lennon & McCartney
Neil Peart
Roger Waters
Jimi Hendrix
Springsteen
Pete Townshend
John & Taupin
Burt Bacharach
Lou Reed
Brian Wilson

Obviously most of mine are classic rock, but hey that's what I listen to!

Good thread!

 

[AnOminous]

Morrissey/Marr
Also Jagger/Richards

Including this.

Yes, that's Townes covering a Stones song. The Stones took a fair amount of critical flak for doing a "country" album despite being British, but I think if Townes van Zandt covers your song, the critics need to STFU at that point.

 

[AnOminous]

And since I just posted my favorite Townes covering someone else's song, here's my favorite cover someone else did of a Townes song.