Who's written the best songs?

equalsql

Burt Bacharach & Hal David.
Lennon & McCartney
Brian Wilson

jonnyburgo

It's a broad church, a bit like the Partridge radio phone in "What's the best thing?"

DonnyMac

Jimmy Webb

richardhomer

Difford & Tilbrook taking some beating. Richard Thompson’s written more than his fair share of corkers,

guitars4you

Stevie Wonder can sit proud amongst the list of major song writers - To write such classics as 'you are the sunshine of my live' 'for once in my live' and 'my cherie amour' when you are still just about  a teenager is remarkable 

fretfinder

NickB said:

When Paul McCartney was asked “what’s it like being the best songwriter in the world?” He replied “Dunno, ask Neil Finn”. 

There’s no evidence he ever actually said that. In fact in a Facebook live chat hosted by Tim Minchin, McCartney confirmed that the long-running rumour was not true. About 1.55 in the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tjAo3v4Fis

And the answer to the OP’s question is Sir Paul McCartney! 

Open_G

Just because they’ve not been mentioned… Dolly, the Gibb bros and the various collaborations that have produced AC/DC’s catalogue. 

Sarge

Nick Cave

chrisj1602

fretfinder said:

NickB said:

When Paul McCartney was asked “what’s it like being the best songwriter in the world?” He replied “Dunno, ask Neil Finn”. 

There’s no evidence he ever actually said that. In fact in a Facebook live chat hosted by Tim Minchin, McCartney confirmed that the long-running rumour was not true. About 1.55 in the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tjAo3v4Fis

And the answer to the OP’s question is Sir Paul McCartney! 

I wonder if this one is true then?

Joking aside, I’ve actually just rewatched McCartney 321 on Disney, enjoyed it just as much as the first time round.

ewal

Attempting to round out the list: Alan Sparhawk, Nick Cave, Sonic Youth (not sure they attribute songs to individuals), etc.

Of course there's no such thing as 'best' and/or it's a highly subjective question.

OilCityPickups

Leonard Cohen
Mercury and May
Dylan 
Neil Young

NickB

fretfinder said:

NickB said:

When Paul McCartney was asked “what’s it like being the best songwriter in the world?” He replied “Dunno, ask Neil Finn”. 

There’s no evidence he ever actually said that. In fact in a Facebook live chat hosted by Tim Minchin, McCartney confirmed that the long-running rumour was not true. About 1.55 in the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tjAo3v4Fis

And the answer to the OP’s question is Sir Paul McCartney! 

I did post it as a joke. But it still remains that Neil Finn is the greatest songwriter in the world. Fact. 

munckee

Brian Wilson, Bob Dylan, Gene Clark, L&M, Radiohead, Neil Finn, frank black Neil young, Kurt cobain and REM.  

Funkfingers

Joni.

GoFish

Let's not forget Chuck Berry.

There are lots of good performers and songwriters, some great, and then a few who stand taller than the rest. Mostly been covered but Lennon & McCartney, Cole Porter, Dylan, Bacharach & David, Holland Dozier Holland, Fats Waller, Stevie Wonder, Ray Davies, Curtis Mayfield, Carole King, Neil Yong, Nina Simone, Bowie and Ronson, Bjorn and Benny, Jorge Ben, Brian Wilson, Greg Sage, Lou Reed, Prince, Aimee Mann, ... -

We've already started to get to the second tier imo (still bloody amazing) whilst missing some from 'Top Table.

bluecat

Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan.

Blueingreen

Top five rock/pop for me Lennon McCartney, Mick and Keef, Paul Simon, Bacharach and David, Holland Dozier Holland.

jonnyburgo

Stock, Aitken and Waterman

Fez

Ignoring commercial success and going for just my personal choice it has to be Peter Hammill.

dazzajl

Being the best songwriter and writing the best songs seem oddly like a very different thing in my mind. Great songwriters are the Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Joan Armatrading, McCartney, Billy Joel, James McMurtry, Gil Scot-Heron, Stevie Wonder type list. But the best songs can be the simplest ingredients that are performed perfectly or just happen to float your boat.