Genius Songwriters Who Aren't

IMHO, there are many greats, but only a few geniuses

I’m happy to note that my last blog, ‘As Long As You Don’t Have Your Health”, was the second most read piece since I started this thing a year and a half ago. Thanks for your support, and please help spread the word!

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Not only am I a songwriter, but I care a lot about the art and the craft of it. I’m pretty good at it myself, according to lots of reviewers, fellow musicians, and other knowledgable types. I’ll be happy to show you my scrapbook some time.

And that’s why I feel the need to poke a few holes in some sacred cows (mixed metaphors make for bad lyrics).

I know I’ll lose some of you with these comments, but I just don’t get why certain songwriters are considered ‘geniuses’.

I know, it’s partially a matter of taste. But I’m able to discern between my personal preferences and songwriting that is just not that good. And I’m not afraid to say it! Well, actually…

For example, I don’t love Elvis Costello, but I get why others do. I wouldn’t argue with the idea of him being considered a songwriting genius. He’s written a handful of songs I admire greatly. But I listen to him rarely (contrary to the popular opinion that I’m ‘influenced’ by him…I just happen to sound like him, sometimes).

But I can also enjoy certain writers without falling in love. That genius tag is thrown about quite promiscuously these days.

So I invite you to change my mind, but only with fact based input, please. Fandom is not a legit argument in this context.

First, I’ll name a few songwriters (in the modern era) who are obviously ‘geniuses’. just so you know where I’m coming from…

Paul & John

Ray Davies

Pete Townsend

Holland-Dozier-Holland

not a genius. not a bum, but not a genius (photo by A. Gregory)

Goffin-King

Burt & Hal

Bob Dylan (I guess)

Joni

Graham Gouldman (who? ‘For Your Love’ ‘Heart Full of Soul’ ‘Bus Stop’ ‘No Milk Today’ ‘Look Through Any Window’ ‘I’m Not In Love’ ‘Things We Do for Love’ and lots lots more…that’s who)

Chuck Berry

Barry Manilow (JK)

…just to name a few.

(I know there aren’t many on my list from the 80s on…two reasons for that. One, songwriting in the pop field has become more and more of a niche thang, which means there may be geniuses I’ve never heard of or heard. But I doubt it. And two, longevity for songwriters is no longer a thing. The ones who last longest these days are often the most formulaic)

I don’t love all their work, but they’ve all consistently written songs that broke ground, influenced many others, and they’ve had long careers during which their level of excellence has been fairly consistent.

OK, now I’ll tell you some of the ones I don’t ‘get’ as geniuses. Let me just say, before you get upset, that I don’t necessarily dislike their work, or deny there might’ve been moments of excellence. But, their overall brilliance escapes me. Some are IMO ‘one trick ponies’ (that reminds me, Paul Simon is often great, but just as often pretentious, derivative, or boring, so no ‘genius’ vote from me). And we’re talking pop music here, so I’m not too concerned with technical prowess…I’m sure there are a few well-known songwriters who are amazing ‘composers’, ‘arrangers’, ‘musicians’ etc., but I’m only concerned, in this discussion, about songs. Melodies and Lyrics. OK, I’m stalling…here’s my partial list of non-genius geniuses:

Me (in case you thought that’s where I was going)

Laura Nyro

Boz Scaggs

Leonard Cohen

Warren Zevon

Elton & Bernie

J.D. Souther/Glen Frey/Jackson Browne/those other LA guys

Jimmy Webb

Tom Petty (are you kidding?)

The Boss (not George Steinbrenner)

Still there?

Some of these folks have had moments of brilliance. Some are fine lyricists, but haven’t written many memorable melodies. Or vice-versa.

Allow me to explain my choices. Probably the 3 most controversial on the list are Lenny, Jimmy and Bruce. I’ll get back to them in a minute.

Boz, to me, was a niche guy, who had a very short run. Nyro had an unusual style, not everyone’s cup of tea, but she certainly was on a roll…for a couple of years, anyway. Influential, yes. Output, not so much.

Zevon’s appeal totally eludes me, but he was clever, I suppose. Elton with Bernie wrote some classics, but Taupin’s lyrics were often lame, and Elton’s songs were inconsistent after ‘75.

The whole Eagles/LA 70s bunch occasionally approached genius, but more often than not, not. Good singers though!

Tom Petty seems to have gained quite the reputation since his passing a few years ago. If you like a guy who sings like McGuinn copying Dylan, I can understand being a fan. But as a songwriter, the derivative and mundane nature of almost all his songs makes me wonder why he’s even in the conversation (I know, it’s my conversation, but…). When you get a chance, sing the lyrics of CS&N’s ‘Ohio’ to ‘Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around’, and you’ll see what I mean.

Which brings me to the big 3…Jimmy, Bruce, and Lenny. This is where I’m risking losing subscribers, and maybe even my life.

Bruce is an energetic performer. He has written some great songs. He has written many good songs. But, to me, he’s a niche rocker who often overwrites his lyrics in a seeming attempt at profundity. I think he’s got Neil Diamond’s Disease as a singer (inappropriate rasp/overwrought plaintiveness), but lots of people like his voice, and besides, that has nothing to do with his songwriting, other than an indication that maybe he’s trying too hard. He’s really a talented performer and songwriter, but he’s no Dylan (sometimes neither is Dylan).

Still there?

I love Jimmy Webb’s songs from the late 60s/early 70s. I even approve of ‘someone left the cake out in the rain’. But he’s another guy who just fizzled out after a few years. I saw him perform recently. He’s still very good. Genius? Nah. But a few flashes.

Still there??

And now, Mr. Cohen. No denying his word skills. No denying he’s unique. No denying his longevity. But, in my view, he’s a niche songwriter who hasn’t changed much in 60 years (especially the last few). His melodies are often drone-y and repetitious. He found his pocket, and found his audience, and that was it. Flashes of brilliance? Sure. Genius? Well, this brings us to the word itself.

There’s a thin line between greatness and genius. George Harrison, as a songwriter, was great for a few years, then was just ok after that. There’s a lot of writers like that. Moments of greatness. But I reserve the genius category for writers who continued searching, stretching the limits, surprising the listeners, not becoming complacent. It’s not easy when you’re on top, and your fans tell you you’re amazing, awesome, infallible. It takes guts to shift gears, and great talent to make the transition seem seamless, and actually get better with each new phase of development. Or at least, after a misstep, come back with something fresh, innovative, and fantastic. This is the genius of the craft and art of songwriting. One can learn to write good songs, and with talent may write occasional great ones. Geniuses keep writing on a high level because they live, eat and breathe songs. They challenge themselves constantly. They don’t think that they’re great, they just are.

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One last thing. I added Joni Mitchell, in part, as an afterthought. It’s considered SACRILEGIOUS to not acknowledge her genius these days. But she wasn’t too popular for a long stretch in the 80s and 90s, and hasn’t had a hit in 50 years. That said, she changed the songwriting landscape with a series of influential albums in the early 70s, and may be the most influential female songwriter of all time. So, though I’m not a big fan of Joni the artist, I must concede she belongs on the genius list. I also wanted to keep peace at home, if you catch my drift.

I’m sure I’m forgetting someone, on both lists, but my point is genius is very rare, especially over the long haul. By separating the writer from the performer, I’m trying to not just judge as a ‘fan’, but as a serious analyst of songwriting. In fact, I could use a serious analyst these days myself.

I hope I haven’t upset you too much. Feel free to write in and correct me if you feel strongly about my comments. I hope to stimulate discussion amongst lovers of song, and maybe give some insight into why I do what I do, musically.

Oh, and if you want, you can hear (and even download) my songs at sandymcknight/bandcamp.com. Some say I songwrite pretty good.