Best Lyricists Today?

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annareads
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Best Lyricists Today?

Post by annareads »

For me, Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys and Mikel Jollett of Airborne Toxic Event are two of the greatest lyricists of this generation. Al has so many pointed lines and fantastically snappy songs, and Mikel creates gorgeous scenes and storylines.

Some examples of Al: "You look like you've been for breakfast at the Heartbreak Hotel." "I've tried to ask you this in some daydreams that I've had but you're always busy being make-believe." "Somebody told the stars you're not coming out tonight, so they found a place to hide."

For Mikel, I'd recommend listening to Sometime Around Midnight, Elizabeth, and Neda.

I love these guys, but I'm always looking for artists with incredible lyrics. Who are your favorites?
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suzy1124
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Post by suzy1124 »

Leonard Cohen, his song " Susannah " is pure poetry...
" We don't see things as they are but as we are "

Carpe Diem!

Suzy...
rainydayluck
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Post by rainydayluck »

The lyricists Im in love with you have probably never even heard of. They are local artist in my city and are both hip hop artists as well as local poets. They go by Savage Trinity, YedidYah Ben Sion and Pope Adrian Bless. They all have very different styles but convey messages that are beyond what most would think when they hear they are hip hop artists. All of their styles are complex but easy listens. Im also slightly biased because all three are brilliant friends of mine.

More grand scale Im in love with Lupe Fiasco, Immortal Technique, Tech N9ne, Jon Bellion, Mick Jenkins and Sia.
Zion Mesa
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Post by Zion Mesa »

I think Jon Bellion and Tori Kelly, NF and Allessia Cara are all skilled at painting word pictures.
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NovaFly
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Post by NovaFly »

Arctic Monkeys are very good but my favorite for lyrics has to be Everything Everything.
Zion Mesa
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Post by Zion Mesa »

Jon Bellion has some really nice lyrics.
I also enjoy, James Arthur, and Quinn XCii.
wedwilson
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Post by wedwilson »

Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding

You're the light, you're the night
You're the color of my blood
You're the cure, you're the pain
You're the only thing I wanna touch
Never knew that it could mean so much, so much
You're the fear, I don't care
'Cause I've never been so high
Follow me through the dark
Let me take you past our satellites
You can see the world you brought to life, to life
So love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do
Touch me like you do, to-to-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
Fading in, fading out
On the edge of paradise
Every inch of your skin is a holy grail I've gotta find
Only you can set my heart on fire, on fire
Yeah, I'll let you set the pace
'Cause I'm not thinking straight
My head spinning around, I can't
Empan16
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Post by Empan16 »

Dermot Kennedy by far has been someone that can envoke raw emotion out of anyone that listens to his music. His work is pure art! (Hozier and Matt Maeson are some other recommendations)
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NatRose
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Post by NatRose »

NF and Samsa come to mind for me when I think of great lyricists. (I'm pleasantly surprised that someone else mentioned NF earlier on as well.) It's probably not a coincidence that these are about the only two rap artists that I listen to.

Here's a sample from Samsa's song Butterflies:

It seldom happens that she listens to my voice
And doesn't chime in quick with unsolicited advice
An unapologetic tyrant of passive aggressive rivalry
Ask her a question
And catch and handful of sass and irony

And from NF's Mansion:

Insidious is blind inception
What's reality with all these questions?
Feels like I missed my alarm and slept in
Broken legs but I chase perfection
These walls are my blank expression
My mind is a home I'm trapped in
And it's lonely inside this mansion
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edztan15
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Post by edztan15 »

Maybe not the best but I find John Mayer's lyrics witty and interesting.
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justnn_
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Post by justnn_ »

Well, for the Hip-Hop/Rap community, I feel obligated to say J. Cole my top candidate for best lyrcist of this generation. Given that his flow and topics of interest come from his mentors, NAS and Jay-Z. J. Cole has proven to be the connecting bridge between the previous generation(s) doing features such as "A Star Is Born" with Jay-Z, "Family and Loyalty" with Gang Starr, "Boblo Boat" with Royce da 5'9" or even having the status to have NAS respond to Cole's track "Let Nas Down" with a remix giving Cole reassurance of their relationship, as well as an explanation to speculations of NAS not favoring Cole's second studio Born Sinner. But how could I claim him to be the best today with only features with rappers from the past? From 2018 to 2019 J. Cole went on an insane feature run, making hits artists like: JID, 21 Savage, Young Nudy, Wale, DaBaby, Young Thug, Travis Scott. Cole's Revenge of the Dreamers III also gave a tremendous platform to dozens of young up-and-coming producers, as well as all the Dreamville artists. Now I wait with insane anticipation of his upcoming album The Fall Off, eager that it will only further push my argument.
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snowbear
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Post by snowbear »

I really admire Ben Gibbard's writing in his songs, and I find his writing poetic. Julien Baker is also an amazing lyricist and she manages to encapsulate heavy emotions and even scenes in the songs she writes. She's also a great musician on top of that. :)
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Thxtw
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Post by Thxtw »

Kendrick Lamar is my no1 best lyricist of all time then it Pusha T _ the legendary 2pac left a trail of good music_ Other considered best lyricist would be Tyler The Creator. Earl Sweatshirt, Wutang Clan , the late Fred The Godson, Jcole , and ii think all rap artists contribute to the Culture of Hip Hop
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Samwisekoop
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Post by Samwisekoop »

Alessia Cara!!! Heck, yeah! Her songs just display normal feelings and realities with an almost gritty feel!! :D :D
And anyone else heard of Nichole Nordeman? That woman's songwriting skills are awesome!!
"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future." - Galadriel
Falling4Ever
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Post by Falling4Ever »

A love NF's work. If you listen to any of his lyrics, they're all really deep and thoughtful.
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