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[braves01]

Unlike the Beatles v. Stones thread, this question has an obvious answer.

Bob Dylan is the greatest American singer/songwriter. That he isn't the greatest singer is a somewhat valid argument, but I really don't see any other way to argue against him.

 

[leadbelly]

That he isn't the greatest singer is a somewhat valid argument, but I really don't see any other way to argue against him.

One of the most unique singers though. He did actually have a great voice in his youth. Unfortunately, it was the sort of singing voice that just couldn't last.

 

[vatstep]

You mean definitely.

Agreed.

 

[PhoncipleBone]

Bob Dylan

The only true answer. The only close runner up is Bruce Springsteen.

 

[Tobor]

Unlike the Beatles v. Stones thread, this question has an obvious answer.

Bob Dylan is the greatest American singer/songwriter. That he isn't the greatest singer is a somewhat valid argument, but I really don't see any other way to argue against him.

Yeah, it's not even a fair discussion. Second place is a tough argument, though.

 

[Bread]

 

[Admiral Bone to Pick]

I'm honestly not sure who counts as a singer/songwriter or not, but if Brian Wilson doesn't count (being that he was a member of the Beach Boys), I'd go with Marvin Gaye. He continually revolutionized black music and produced some of the most brilliant albums of all time. Everyone else just seemed to be playing catch-up.

Not to mention his songs were timeless. What's Happening Brother is probably my favorite song of his:

War is hell, when will it end,
When will people start gettin' together again
Are things really gettin' better, like the newspaper said
What else is new my friend, besides what I read
Can't find no work, can't find no job my friend
Money is tighter than it's ever been
Say man, I just don't understand
What's going on across this land

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8pm8rEGQIk

His influence on popular music can't be stated enough. What's Going On, Let's Get It On, and I Want You were masterpieces.

 

[PhoncipleBone]

Bob Dylan sucks. Willie says fuck off

Willie is awesome, but to say Dylan sucks is going a bit far. His voice may not be loved by many, but you cannot deny the power of his writing.

 

[Derrick01]

James Hetfield

I'm surprised you didn't get laughed out of the thread, but hell yeah I'm with you!

 

[DOBERMAN INC]

Tom Waits.

 

[ThisWreckage]

Billy Corgan is up there. I know that the recent incarnation of The Smashing Pumpkins is terrible, but Corgan's musical output during the 90's is absolutely incredible. Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie are pretty much solo albums with Jimmy Chamberlain backing him on drums. That's not even considering their abundance of b sides (maybe one of the greatest b side bands ever).

 

[Meier]

If you can sing for shit, you can't be the best singer/songwriter in my eyes. Sorry Bob Dylan and Tom Waits..not having it.

 

[JAGII]

I'm very pleased that no one has said James Taylor and a little horrified that Warren Zevon or Loudon Wainwright III hasn't been mentioned.

Others who need to be in the mix:

Jimmy Reed
Smokey Robinson
Stephen Merritt
Willie Dixon is a bit of a cheat, since he's better known for the songs that he wrote and were performed by other people, but I think that it balances out Johnny Cash, who is (I argue) as well known for songs he didn't write as those he did write.
Hank Williams

If John Darnielle is in the mix (and I think he should be) we should also include some other newer guys: Nico Case, Jeff Tweedy, Craig Finn, and Will Sheff should be mentioned.

Can we stretch this to include rap? If so, Chuck D is a shoe-in.

 

[ThisWreckage]

If you can sing for shit, you can't be the best singer/songwriter in my eyes. Sorry Bob Dylan and Tom Waits..not having it.

It's better to have a distinctive singing voice rather than an actual good one.

 

[mysticwhip]

Anybody who thinks that Dylan never had a good singing voice needs to watch this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26oBcgkkbMw

or listen to Nashville Skyline

 

[UrokeJoe]

Anybody who thinks that Dylan never had a good singing voice needs to watch this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26oBcgkkbMw


That's amazing. Two of the best right there.

 

[brianjones]

bill callahan

 

[Trokil]

of course, Dylan

But I would also like to mention Bobby Darin

 

[UrokeJoe]

of course, Dylan

But I would also like to mention Bobby Darin

 

[KidA Seven]

Bob Dylan sons.

 

[DR3AM]

SHAME ON YOU GAF!!!

 

[polyh3dron]

SHAME ON YOU GAF!!!

And how many of his songs did he write on his own?

 

[King Of Fuh]

Others mentioned Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell who are both Canadian.

I'm going to go with the guy in my avatar. Not the best singer but no other songwriter comes close in my opinion.

Second choice is Stevie Wonder.

While Frank Zappa is, in my opinion America's greatest 20th century composer, and an undisputed genius and master of music, and one of my all-time favourite artists, I don't classify him in the singer/songwriter category.

Singer/songwriters tend to be considered those kind of people who write a lot of introspective stuff and who make lyrics the focal point of their music. Frank Zappa never cared as much for lyrics, and even said a few times that a lot of his songs have lyrics on them just because that was the only way he could sell them.

Bob Dylan is the obvious winner here, but, thinking of names I didn't see when I skimmed the list, I'll also add the overlooked Nick Drake. He had very little impact on the music scene compared to the others mentioned, but in his 3 albums he created a lot of beautiful/sparse/emotional songs that seem to really hit me deep. Edit: Guess he's british. I kind of thought that in the back of my mind, should have looked it up. oh well. :\

I think one of the problems is the criteria to be labelled a singer/songwriter isn't very well defined. But I see it as a generally folksy/rocky/folkrocky person who plays a decent guitar (usually acoustic), or occasionally piano and produces albums that are fairly laid back and simple with solid backing bands who don't try and steal the spotlight.

 

[brianjones]

nick drake is british

 

[Lazy vs Crazy]

One day, John Darnielle. One day.

Yeah he is getting there.

Tom Waits disqualified for being unable to sing.

 

[FStop7]

Without this man we would not have Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, etc.

 

[kottila]

old: Townes van Zandt
new: Elliott Smith

 

[HammerOfThor]

I'm surprised you didn't get laughed out of the thread, but hell yeah I'm with you!

HAHA me too. Regardless of how many people dont like Metallica, Hetfield has always been the only one who comes off as though he cares for music.