Author Topic: Best lyricists ever. (Read 3944 times)

zxlkho · « **on:** August 30, 2011, 11:07:24 PM »

ITT we discuss the best lyricists ever.

I nominate Jesse Lacey.

Quote from: Luca

When I disappear do you fear for the sister I took
When I disappear it is clear I am up to no good
I am drearily bloodletting this bedwetting cosmonaut
"Son, the last thing you'll realize you need is what you've already got"

So touch me or don't
But just let me know
Where you been?

Drop me a line with a hook and some raw bleeding bait
For I am uncaught and still swimming alone in the lake
Shimmering under a moon made in anger and haste
(I was the one who was always repeating it)
Shimmering like a penny out of reach in the subway grating
(Shimmering like a coin kept safe away, you never give in to anything)

So touch me or don't
But just let me know
Where you been?

You could never work well with our group
Not with flaws we found
So we've fixed you with cement galoshes
And no one can save you now
Even if you have friends among fish
There will still be no air to breath
You could drink up the entire ocean
But we'll still find someone to be everything we know that you will never be.

So touch me or don't
But just let me know
Where you been?

Quadrochosis · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2011, 11:07:44 PM »

second

Quadrochosis · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2011, 11:08:25 PM »

There's too many saviors on my cross again.
I know I'm never gonna be a perfect man.
Everyone's an oyster with their grain of sand.
I love you most, the summer now it has to end.

Quadrochosis · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2011, 11:09:28 PM »

Quote

little light, lead us through the night
and if we die, burn down the forest
chariots, carry us
distances we don't care to walk

I'm on my way out

why doesn't anyone I know sleep?
are they all just scared of their dreams?
when they lay their heads down at night
what are they haunted by?

why won't anyone just close their eyes?
could it hurt them to rest for a while?
do they need their friends to be a lover?
or a lover to be a friend?

because I'm on my way out
well, I've tried
God knows that I've tried
I'm on my way out
one time, two times
three times again

sitting duck, running out of luck
our car's stuck on the train crossing

how am I ever gonna know peace?
how will I ever see your light through the trees?
I want to burn down everything we've begun
I want to kill and eat my young

because I'm on my way out
well, I've tried
God knows that I've tried
I'm on my way out
one time, two time
three time again

I'm on my way out

Gadough · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2011, 11:16:55 PM »

Ryan, I specifically remember a Facebook status from you stating that Peart is the greatest lyricist of all time.

zxlkho · « **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2011, 11:18:04 PM »

Dude... I remember that and I was really really really drunk

idk I think I was listening to a really great song with lyrics by him and i posted that

he is pretty awesome though

Gadough · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2011, 11:18:58 PM »

Yeah, I doubted you actually believed that, I just thought it was funny. He is really good though.

zxlkho · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2011, 11:57:26 PM »

Quote from: Not the Sun

Be my serene
Tell me you know what I mean
You've set on me but you are not the sun
And you will not listen

Seriously, this guy is fucking brilliant and it makes Brand New's music infinitely better. I can find a way to connect with nearly all of his lyrics.

dethklok09 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2011, 12:04:00 AM »

I'd have to say Serj tankian from system of a down.

He just seems to be the lyricist who has failed me the least lol. I say that because there are alot of great lyricists who have delivered alot of extremely meh songs. Serj Tankian has completely floored me with his work in SOAD, and though his solo albums weren't as good (for the most part) most of it is just excellent.

zxlkho · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2011, 12:07:05 AM »

I haven't looked into his lyrics that much tbh (mostly becuase I don't listen to them often lol)

I'll keep that in mind when I listen to SOAD though.

Zantera · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2011, 12:07:20 AM »

Tori Amos comes to mind.

Ravenheart · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2011, 12:11:58 AM »

I have a ton of favorite lyricists... Trent Reznor, Emilie Autumn, Martin Gore, Robert Smith, Sarah Fimm, Tori Amos, Danny Cavanagh, Ian Curits,. The list goes on and on.

Ronan Harris of VNV Nation has really been resonating with me a lot recently. I'll post the lyrics to one of my favorite songs by them, Illusion:

Quote

I know its hard to tell
How mixed up you feel
Hoping what you need
Is behind every door
Each time you get hurt
I don't want you to change
Cuz everyone has hopes
You're human after all

The feeling sometimes
Wishing you were someone else
Feeling as though
You never belong
This feeling is not sadness
This feeling is not joy
I truly understand
Please don't cry now

Please don't go
I want you to stay
I'm begging you please
Please don't leave here
I don't want you to hate
For all the hurt that you feel
The world is just illusion
Trying to change you

Being like you are
Well this is something else
Who would comprehend
That some bad do lay claim
Divine purpose blesses them
That's not what I believe
And it doesn't matter anyway

A part of your soul
Ties you to the next world
Or maybe to the last
But I'm still not sure
But what I do know
Is to us the world is different
As we are to the world
I guess you would know that

Please don't go
I want you to stay
I'm begging you please
Please don't leave here
I don't want you to hate
For all the hurt that you feel
The world is just illusion
Trying to change you

Please don't go
I want you to stay
I'm begging you please
Oh please don't leave here
I don't want you to change
For all the hurt that you feel
This world is just illusion
Always trying to change you

MasterShakezula · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2011, 12:13:52 AM »

I love how Peter Sinfield expresses his ideas, although I can barely make a hint of sense out of much of what most of the aforementioned ideas are.

zxlkho · « **Reply #13 on:** August 31, 2011, 12:19:15 AM »

Zander, I've always loved the lyrics to Hurt.

Quote from: Hurt by Nine Inch Nails

I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real
The needle tears a hole
The old familiar sting
Try to kill it all away
But I remember everything

What have I become?
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know
Goes away in the end

You could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

I wear this crown of shit
Upon my liar's chair
Full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair
Beneath the stains of time
The feelings disappear
You are someone else
I am still right here

What have I become?
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know
Goes away in the end

And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

If I could start again
A million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way

Ravenheart · « **Reply #14 on:** August 31, 2011, 12:21:23 AM »

Quote from: zxlkho on August 31, 2011, 12:19:15 AM

Zander, I've always loved the lyrics to Hurt.

Oh yeah, definitely! That song had a profound effect on me when I first heard it. Trent has such a way with words, especially with that song. It's the ultimate anthem of regret.

Jirpo · « **Reply #15 on:** August 31, 2011, 01:03:02 AM »

Anyone else love Dio's lyrics? He had such a way of conveying stuff through stories. Take Stargazer for example. When combined with his amazing voice, I never fail to get goosebumps if I concentrate on the simple story.

MasterShakezula · « **Reply #16 on:** August 31, 2011, 01:31:00 AM »

Quote from: Jirpo on August 31, 2011, 01:03:02 AM

Anyone else love Dio's lyrics? He had such a way of conveying stuff through stories. Take Stargazer for example. When combined with his amazing voice, I never fail to get goosebumps if I concentrate on the simple story.

I've never listened to much Rainbow, but I love Dio era Sabbath, lyrics included!

Jirpo · « **Reply #17 on:** August 31, 2011, 04:17:49 AM »

Yep, Dio era Sabbath is amazing... Heaven and Hell contains some of my favourite lyrics ever, definitely top 5 in terms of lyrics...

"They'll tell you black is really white
The moon is just the sun at night
And when you walk in golden halls
You'll be able to keep the gold that falls"

berrege · « **Reply #18 on:** August 31, 2011, 04:53:14 AM »

Quote from: dethklok09 on August 31, 2011, 12:04:00 AM

I'd have to say Serj tankian from system of a down.

He just seems to be the lyricist who has failed me the least lol. I say that because there are alot of great lyricists who have delivered alot of extremely meh songs. Serj Tankian has completely floored me with his work in SOAD, and though his solo albums weren't as good (for the most part) most of it is just excellent.

I agree, but a right-wing conservatist won't appreciate his lyrics

ClairvoyantCat · « **Reply #19 on:** August 31, 2011, 05:11:28 AM »

I love me some good lyricists.

Let's see here:

Isaac Brock, Rachael Yamagata, Travis Morrison, Conor Oberst, Jesse Lacy, Daniel Gildenlow, Tom Waits, Kevin Moore, Dan Barrett, (not the trombonist) and probably many more that I'm missing, I just went with whichever ones I thought of first.

GuineaPig · « **Reply #20 on:** August 31, 2011, 05:24:52 AM »

I think Roy Khan is (was?) the best metal lyricist.

YtseBitsySpider · « **Reply #21 on:** August 31, 2011, 06:07:26 AM »

Quote from: Gadough on August 30, 2011, 11:16:55 PM

Ryan, I specifically remember a Facebook status from you stating that Peart is the greatest lyricist of all time.

...and his the greatest.
And I'm not even a huge rush fan.

ReaperKK · « **Reply #22 on:** August 31, 2011, 06:08:32 AM »

Quote from: Zantera on August 31, 2011, 12:07:20 AM

Tori Amos comes to mind.

This.

Also Gavin Hayes from dredg, he isn't always great but when it's good, it's really fucking good.

zxlkho · « **Reply #23 on:** August 31, 2011, 06:24:05 AM »

Quote from: ReaperKK on August 31, 2011, 06:08:32 AM

Also Gavin Hayes from dredg, he isn't always great but when it's good, it's really fucking good.

What songs did he write? I'm pretty sure all dredg songs are just credited to the band...

ReaperKK · « **Reply #24 on:** August 31, 2011, 06:36:13 AM »

From what I recall during concerts and various interviews he does most of the writing with the exception of a few songs like "Of The Room" and "Ode To The Sun".

Adami · « **Reply #25 on:** August 31, 2011, 06:40:42 AM »

Daniel Gildenlow pre-scarsick.

zxlkho · « **Reply #26 on:** August 31, 2011, 06:47:51 AM »

Quote from: ReaperKK on August 31, 2011, 06:36:13 AM

From what I recall during concerts and various interviews he does most of the writing with the exception of a few songs like "Of The Room" and "Ode To The Sun".

Well in that case, The Canyon Behind Her definitely stands out in terms of the lyrics.

Quote from: The Canyon Behind Her

does anybody feel this way
does anybody feel like I do x2

I built a wall
it stretched one thousand miles
set it off (it's a massacre)
it's holding up the roof (hmm...)
breastfeed your heart
set it off (set it off)

I saw a distant port
with no water to support
burning
the bridge between

does anybody feel this way
does anybody feel like I do x2

(are you)
never content nor satisfied
tension's taught itself
the massacre changed
our history
borderline paranoia
yelling at their own rights
set it off

does anybody feel this way
does anybody feel like I do
though half of me is gone
the lonesome part is there

I cannot find the other half
I cannot find the other half x2

skydivingninja · « **Reply #27 on:** August 31, 2011, 07:02:59 AM »

Neil Peart
Steven Wilson
Conor Motherfucking Oberst
Bruce Springsteen

Most of what they touch turns to lyrical gold (note how I said "most," no need to bring up "Dog Years" or "Pink Cadillac")

But I really love the lyrics to "Neverland" by Marillion. Its a song I want played at my wedding. Of course, part of why I love it is the way H puts so much emotion into it, but I still love these lyrics.

Quote

When the darkness takes me over
Face down, emptier than zero
Invisible you come to me
..quietly
Stay beside me
Whisper to me "Here I am"
And the loneliness fades
Some people think I'm somethin'
Well you gave me that, I know
But I always feel like nothing
When I'm in the dark alone
You provide the soul, the spark that drives me on
Makes me something more than flesh and bone
At times like these
Any fool can see
Any fool can see
Your love inside me
All these years
Truth In front of my eyes
While I denied
What my heart knows was right
At times like these
Any fool can see
Any fool can see
Your love inside me
I want to be someone
I want to be someone
I want to be someone
Who someone would want to be
Someone would want to be
Wendy
Darling
In the kitchen
With your dreams
Will you fly
again
Take to the sky
again
Undo the hooks
Once and for all
Banish the tic tic tic tok tok tok
Again
Will you be
Yourself for me
Cause I can take it
I can stand
Anything
When you're with me
I can stand it
I can stand
But when you're gone
I never land
In Neverland
Want to be someone someone would want to be
someone someone would want to be
someone someone would want to be
someone someone someone someone
Any fool
Any fool can see
Any fool can see
Your love
Inside me

zxlkho · « **Reply #28 on:** August 31, 2011, 07:05:07 AM »

Though SW is probably my favorite musician, I don't really see him as a great lyricist. Some of his material on the newer albums isn't particularly good, but it's still not bad either. He has a select few songs that I really connect with though, such as Trains, obviously.

berrege · « **Reply #29 on:** August 31, 2011, 07:05:56 AM »

PoS (Steven Wilson)'s 'Be' is a masterpiece lyrically

PuffyPat · « **Reply #30 on:** August 31, 2011, 07:20:52 AM »

Jesse Lacey writes the best lyrics.

zxlkho · « **Reply #31 on:** August 31, 2011, 07:21:45 AM »

Quote from: PuffyPat on August 31, 2011, 07:20:52 AM

Jesse Lacey writes the best lyrics.

I like you.

PuffyPat · « **Reply #32 on:** August 31, 2011, 07:29:34 AM »

Quote from: zxlkho on August 31, 2011, 07:21:45 AM

Quote from: PuffyPat on August 31, 2011, 07:20:52 AM
Jesse Lacey writes the best lyrics.

I like you.

I like me too, and you're not so bad yourself.

fibreoptix · « **Reply #33 on:** August 31, 2011, 07:36:39 AM »

Steve Hogarth from Marillion, Amanda Palmer from Dresden Dolls and Leonard Cohen are three lyrical juggernauts for me.

Bombardana · « **Reply #34 on:** August 31, 2011, 08:57:43 AM »

It may be favourite-band-bias, but I very much like Mikael Akerfeldt's lyrics.

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Author Topic: Best lyricists ever. (Read 3944 times)