The New York Times ' The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters list

[Ziggy 14,051]

Just now, PartySick said:

In my mind, Beyoncé's always been in a similar league as MJ when it comes to actually creating songs. A lot of his biggest hits, and some of my favorite songs, were written by other people but the writers' demos are just ok while his final tracks are incredible.

There's a lot more that goes into making a song than putting pen to paper and jotting down some lyrics, it's nice to see someone else recognize that  

SO much that goes into it! Frankly, I hear some of Beyoncé's songs and can tell how much certain delivery choices bring to a song that would otherwise be mid ESPECIALLY early on. And we know she also writes her own harmonies, etc. Same for Michael. They're good at having stuff to start with, no problem with that! However, I do think that Beyoncé is very clear about giving direction to her selected writers. We know this from how Lemonade was made in the writing camps and self titled and to some degree this trilogy, as well. This is truly not a Rihanna situation where Diamonds is basically her singing like Sia which works and still sounds better than Sia imo but...she just re-sang the demo 

[4th Time Around 5,059]

A few expected goat songwriters obviously but this list is mostly a joke. 

Edited April 28 by 4th Time Around

[Roughhouse Dandy 13,614]

Young Thug! The-Dream!! Stevie Wonder!!! Outkast!!! Nile Rodgers! Missy Elliott! Lana Del Rey!! Kendrick Lamar!! Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis!! Jay-Z!!! Fiona Apple! Dolly Parton!! Carole King! Babyface!

Taste. 

[Louvre 4,493]

Gaga's voice is so impressive that everyone overlooks her songwriting skills. She's been writing for herself since the beginning of her career - at times when pop-stars were not necessarily required to write their own music. Her writing was so special that her label originally tried to take her songs and give them to other artists. 

I think its also really easy to overlook the writing in dance and electronic music.

[Natalia Kills 418]

Taylor can write songs but it’s basically Ed Sheeran-style, very accessible to the point it’s almost easy listening (or now AI). That’s a talent but I wouldn’t say it makes you a “great”. 

[PartySick 172,545]

3 minutes ago, Natalia Kills said:

Taylor can write songs but it’s basically Ed Sheeran-style, very accessible to the point it’s almost easy listening (or now AI). That’s a talent but I wouldn’t say it makes you a “great”. 

She's very reliant on cliches and try hard lyrics.

I've said it before, her lyrics have the depth of a middle school preppy kid's diary as they go through their occasional "emo phase"  

Far be it from me to hate on a good cheesy line or groaner lyric. I'm a Melanie Martinez stan after all  but part of the power behind the words is who is actually saying them. You can't play the misunderstood victim with a dark, edgy side when you're a conventionally attractive blonde billionaire who's never had a controversial stance in your life.

[monstertoronto 11,748]

Gaga missing is just nonsensical.  It feels like people forget she also writes her songs. JJ rstly also Madonna. She wrote so many of her own many hits and is overlooked as a songwriter also. 

[Killa 18,828]

1 hour ago, Lucas said:

He produced/wrote a crazy amount of hits. 125 Top 10 Hits, 45 number 1 R&B hits, and 16 number 1 pop hits according to his website. I'd say his spot is quite deserved there  he worked on Madonna's "Take A Bow" 

Plus his voice and actual baby face 

And his voice 

 

[meltedplastic 907]

Ehhhh what about Madonna

Edited April 28 by meltedplastic

[Ziggy 14,051]

Again, y'all...30 LIVING GREATEST AMERICAN SONGWRITERS. as-in...can STILL be alive...30 people that cover DECADES of music...im sorry but as much as i love Ga, she's not cracking that list. Taylor Swift shouldn't be either, but in the morning buy me eggs and slap honey on that young pancake are not sharing list space with these artists  She's a great songwriter and I actually disagree that she isn't acknowledged for that as I think it gets brought up in almost every interview she does, which for female songwriters in pop is historically unheard of...but she should not be next to Bob Dylan, Springsteen, Fiona Apple, Stevie Wonder, Babyface, etc. and I encourage y'all to expand your musical palettes. 30 is a VERY small list. She could probably crack 100, though.

[TaylorSwift 162,475]

29 minutes ago, meltedplastic said:

Ehhhh what about Madonna

she's Italian

[Ladle Ghoulash 53,164]

1 hour ago, Ziggy said:

SO much that goes into it! Frankly, I hear some of Beyoncé's songs and can tell how much certain delivery choices bring to a song that would otherwise be mid ESPECIALLY early on. And we know she also writes her own harmonies, etc. Same for Michael. They're good at having stuff to start with, no problem with that! However, I do think that Beyoncé is very clear about giving direction to her selected writers. We know this from how Lemonade was made in the writing camps and self titled and to some degree this trilogy, as well. This is truly not a Rihanna situation where Diamonds is basically her singing like Sia which works and still sounds better than Sia imo but...she just re-sang the demo 

Rihanna anticipating AI covers with Diamonds…the sagacity of it all…

[Ladle Ghoulash 53,164]

13 minutes ago, Teletubby said:

she's Italian

And Italians Do It Better

[NashvilleGAGA 824]

Major shoutout to Lucinda Williams, she’s a living legend, a poet. 
 

Excluding Gaga, ridiculous. Seriously. But as always, “I’m not meant to be appreciated now, I’ll be appreciated ____ years from now” rings true.

She’s always ahead of the cutting edge, the normies can’t understand it yet. We get to enjoy it in real time and say “duh” as they all come around years later. 

[djfreemymind 1,330]

Lin Manuel is missing.

As the biggest Bad Bunny fan... I'm sorry take him off there.