Who is your favourite songwriter/lyricist? Tell us and share their best lines for $3!

Can I give a shout out to Arctic Monkeys? I always thought their lyrics were really good at painting a picture, particularly the tracks from the album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not. One of my faves is The View from the Afternoon. There’s just little lines like

‘She won’t be surprised, and she won’t be shocked,

When she’s pressed the star after she’s pressed unlock’

that give a little glimpse into the time it was written. Like, a little audio photograph. And the album is littered full of little things like that. Worth a listen if you like a bit of 00s rock n roll.

Woodkid - as his artistry deserves recognition.

Woodkid, the stage name of French artist Yoann Lemoine, brings a unique blend of orchestral music and powerful, evocative lyrics that transcend typical genre boundaries.

Lemoine is not just a singer, no, he's a storyteller. His debut album, "The Golden Age", renders his ability to weave intricate narratives through his music. The lyrics explore themes of transformation, struggle, and personal growth, all set against a backdrop of dramatic and cinematic orchestral arrangements. Each song feels like a journey, pulling the listener into a world of intense emotion and vivid, imagery.

In addition to his music, Lemoine is also an accomplished director and visual artist, which adds another layer of depth to his work. His music videos are visually stunning, often reflecting the same themes of his songs with powerful imagery and creative storytelling. This multi-disciplinary approach enriches the listening experience, making his work not only a treat for the ears but also for the eyes.

In tracks like "I Love You" the powerful lyrics combined with the sweeping orchestral music create an immersive experience that is hard to ignore.

Whatever I feel for you You only seem to care about you Is there any chance you could see me, too? 'Cause I love you Is there anything I could do Just to get some attention from you? In the waves, I've lost every trace of you Where are you?

Even if this genre or artist isn't your typical choice, Woodkid's ability to craft such compelling narratives through his music is undeniably impressive. His work is a brilliant example of how music can transcend personal preferences and touch on universal human experiences.

One of my favourite songwriters has got to be Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio. He just has such a penchant for finding the most interesting metaphors with constant double meanings and ambiguity that keeps my mind guessing even after all these years.

My favourite Alk3 songs are always forever changing, this very second my favourite song by them is "Blue In the Face". The song seems to be navigating either a break up or a toxic relationship, I'm not sure which, but both fit. One of my favourite lines is, "And all that followed fell like mercury to hell. Somehow we lost our heads for the last time".  That imagery is just the standard that I've become accustomed to as an Alk3 fan. This song finishes with, "And I don't dream since I quit sleeping. And I haven't slept since met you. And you can't breathe without coughing at daytime. Neither can I. So what do you say? Your coffin, or mine?" These little word plays never go amiss in Alk3 songs for me. It's the use of these simple writing principles that I have always loved.

I could very easily talk forever on my favourite songs by Alk3, and if I answered this question a week ago, or a year ago or 6 months ago... you'd of received different answers every single time. So I'll drop some of my other favourite lyrics with song names attached.

"If I'm the captain of this boat then all my shipmates are fools, and all the stars in the world couldn't help me steer my way out of this kiddy pool" - Fine

"Between the moon and you, lunacy is setting in." - My Little Needle

"A Poinsettia in poison rain" - Emma

"I wrote the words to this song on the back of a photograph. Behind your back it goes" - Armageddon (ironically took me too long to understand this lyric)

"Whats black and white, and whats red all over? This tired book, this Organ Doner" - All on Black

Heres a playlist of all the songs mentioned, if you like them, I'd proudly make an "Essential Trio" playlist for JA friends!

For me, it's Eminem, his lyrics over time have changed from songs like "The Real Slim Shady" right up to "Mockingbird". I think with his upbringing, coming from nothing to who he is today, his words have shaped whole generations.

For instance, his lyrics in "The Real Slim Shady" back when he was pretty much the only person who was "white" were rapping against all sorts, from Pamela and Tommys sex tape, to Dr Dre, his words shaped a generation of rappers but also, as you move further down the song, he talks about how the media and society hates him, a fact a lot of people really did connect to, a dissociation from society.

Let's fast-forward

As his child grew, he became less and less controversial, focussing more and more on real-world issues and the problems he was facing. So let's look at the song "Mockingbird". In this song, he talks about how things do not make sense, how she needs to be strong and how he will protect his daughter. This was a song that an entire generation actually connected to as well, because at the time, if you look at national divorce rates across the UK when this song was released, more and more children were being raised by single parents.

IMO Eminem is one the greatest song/lyric writers our generation as ever seen, as I said from TRSS to Mocking bird, Til I collapse, Stan, Sing For The Moment, Toy Soldiers.

The man really is a genius and a great and personal impression on my life, but also the lives of others I know.

I know who I want to choose but I have to call them "one of" my favorites. It's difficult to pick one songwriter to beat them all, especially because the lyrics are what I cling to most in a song. I love the poetry of lyrics, they speak to me, help me deal with my own emotions and memories, they inspire me, calm me, and help to make the song personal to me.

I'm going to highlight Roger Waters during his time with Pink Floyd, and mainly his lyrical contributions to The Wall, Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here. A lot of his lyrics seem to come from his personal experience or how he had perceived his experiences or those around him. Mental Health is either directly or metaphorically emphasized in so many of his songs, as well as the concept of life and how fleeting is, and those lyrics are ones I really connect with, as they make me feel seen and heard, and gift me words to explain what's happening to me inside. (Special shout out also to David Gilmour, his voice soothes me like no other, and his composition and lyrics also molded this band into "Greatness/Legend" status).

Some Songs/Lyrics that really have become part of my soul:

Comfortably Numb: There is no pain, you are receding

A distant ship, smoke on the horizon

You are only coming through in waves

Your lips move, but I can't hear what you're saying

When I was a child, I had a fever

My hands felt just like two balloons

Now I've got that feeling once again

I can't explain, you would not understand

This is not how I am

A distant ship, smoke on the horizon

You are only coming through in waves

Your lips move, but I can't hear what you're saying

When I was a child, I had a fever

My hands felt just like two balloons

Now I've got that feeling once again

I can't explain, you would not understand

This is not how I am

A distant ship, smoke on the horizon

You are only coming through in waves

Your lips move, but I can't hear what you're saying

When I was a child, I had a fever

My hands felt just like two balloons

Now I've got that feeling once again

I can't explain, you would not understand

This is not how I am

Hey You: Hey, you, out there in the cold, getting lonely, getting old

Can you feel me?

Hey, you, standing in the aisles with itchy feet and fading smiles

Can you feel me?

Hey, you

Don't help them to bury the light

Don't give in without a fight

Breathe (In the Air): [Verse 1]

Breathe, breathe in the air

Don't be afraid to care

Leave, but don't leave me

Look around and choose your own ground

[Chorus]

For long you live and high you fly

And smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry

And all you touch and all you see

Is all your life will ever be

[Verse 2]

Run, rabbit, run

Dig that hole, forget the sun

And when at last the work is done

Don't sit down, it's time to dig another one

[Chorus]

For long you live and high you fly

But only if you ride the tide

And balanced on the biggest wave

You race towards an early grave

Time:

Ticking away

The moments that make up a dull day

You fritter and waste the hours

In an offhand way

Kicking around on a piece of ground

In your hometown

Waiting for someone

Or something to show you the way

Tired of lying in the sunshine

Staying home to watch the rain

You are young and life is long

And there is time to kill today

And then one day you find

Ten years have got behind you

No one told you when to run

You missed the starting gun

Here's a link for the Albums The Wall and Dark Side of the Moon: