The Greatest Songwriters in Rock
Who are the brains behind rock's most seminal songs? Here are AOL Music's picks for the ultimate rock songwriters and the reasons why they've earned a place on the list.
1. Bob Dylan
To many, Bob Dylan personifies the word "songwriter." Ever since he arrived in New York City in 1961, Dylan has created intensely substantial and poetic music, working in a variety of genres over the years including rock, folk and gospel. His immense body of work ranges from folk classics like 'Blowin' in the Wind', and 'Mr. Tambourine Man' to the rocker 'Like a Rolling Stone,' to mellower hits like 'Lay Lady Lay.' Four decades on, Bob Dylan remains the gold standard to several generations of songwriters, and is even the subject of a new documentary. Famed director Martin Scorsese chronicles Dylan's career in his latest project, 'No Direction Home: Bob Dylan,' and features never-before-seen footage of the songwriter between 1961 and 1966. Only AOL Music has an exclusive video clip of 'Subterranean Homesick Blues', one of Dylan's greatest rock songs.
2. John Lennon & Paul McCartney
How can you sum up the contribution of the duo behind the bulk of the Beatles' songs? It's impossible…but we'll try. Together, John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote some of the most memorable songs of the '60s, from pop sing-alongs like 'She Loves You,' to lovelorn songs like 'Yesterday,' to anthems like 'All You Need Is Love' and 'Let It Be.' Although their careers spanned less than a decade, as a team they churned out an indelibly-strong catalog of songs which still sounds great. After the band broke up, its main songwriters continued to write what have now become rock standards, like Lennon's 'Imagine' and McCartney's 'Live and Let Die' and 'Band on the Run.' McCartney recently released 'Chaos and Creation in the Backyard,' produced by Nigel Godrich -- best known for his work with Radiohead -- and came into our studio to perform intimate renditions of 'Let It Be' and 'Fine Line.'
3. Mick Jagger & Keith Richards
What's the magic of the Rolling Stones? Part of it is the unique chemistry between charismatic singer Mick Jagger and iconic guitarist Keith Richards. Although some might focus on this pair's great performances, they've written some of rock's most assertive classics, from early hits like 'Satisfaction' and 'Paint It Black' through to 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' and 'Miss You.' Although the team broke up for a period during the late ‘80s to pursue other projects, the members reunited in 1989 and have been back wowing fans and churning out great songs, records and tours ever since, most recently releasing 'A Bigger Bang,' featuring 'Streets of Love' and 'Rough Justice.'
4. Brian Wilson
The Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds' is undeniably one of the most lauded albums of the 1960s. Credit goes in large part to Brian Wilson, who wrote its seminal tracks 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' and 'God Only Knows' and also used his proficiency in the studio to record those songs with dynamic arrangements and technologically-advanced sounds. That album was the catalyst to move the band beyond the bubbly surf music that had become its trademark. Brian Wilson is still going strong today, writing, recording and playing live, as he did during the Berlin LIVE 8 concert this summer.
5. Pete Townshend
The driving force behind iconic rock band the Who, Pete Townshend's songwriting is often overshadowed by his virtuoso guitar work and exciting stage presence. But nonetheless, he's written many of rock's most classic songs, from early chart toppers like 'My Generation' and 'The Kids Are Alright' (songs that captured the spirit of Britain's rebellious "mods") to the ground-breaking rock operas 'Tommy' and 'Quadrophenia.' The Who broke up in 1982 after the death of drummer Keith Moon, but the band eventually got back together for several world tours. Although bassist John Entwistle passed away in 2002, Townshend and his fellow surviving founding member Roger Daltrey played as the Who at this summer's LIVE 8 concert in London, where their set included (what else?) ‘My Generation' -– which still sounds great, 40 years after it was first recorded.
6. Neil Young
Toronto-born Neil Young started his music career as a teenager and continues to produce and perform some of the most intense (and hard to categorize) rock songs ever. Young was an early member of folk-rockers Buffalo Springfield before striking out on his own. He also became a member of Crosby, Stills. Nash and Young, which was well-known for their turbulent relationship as much as their music, and the seminal garage band Crazy Horse. Credited as the forefather of the grunge movement, his greatest hits include 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart', 'Cinnamon Girl', 'Down by the River', 'Heart of Gold' and, of course, 'Rockin' in the Free World.'Young proved he can still write classic songs with 2005's 'The Painter.'
7. Led Zeppelin
Though some purists may argue that guitar hero Jimmy Page nicked as many notes from blues and folk standards as he composed himself, Led Zeppelin's pounding, intricate construction of heavy rock has become the blueprint for scores of current bands like the White Stripes and Audioslave. Songs like 'Black Dog' and 'Dazed and Confused' are shining examples of Zep's masterful use of musical light and shade. The dynamic interplay of noise and silence in songs like these, paired with Page's layering of seemingly infinite guitar tracks and the distinctive wail of frontman Robert Plant, created a new sound that spawned everything from the metal mayhem of Black Sabbath to the grungy howl of Nirvana.
8. Elton John & Bernie Taupin
When lyricist Bernie Taupin was introduced to composer/pianist Elton John in 1967 through a record company advertisement for songwriters, one of pop music's legendary songwriting teams was born. Armed with Bernie's poetic lyrics, Elton virtually exploded on to the music scene in 1970 performing the classic 'Your Song.' Over the years, the team continued to knock out many hit songs that have become pop standards, including 'Tiny Dancer', 'Crocodile Rock' and 'Candle in the Wind.' After creating a staggering number of hits, Elton and Bernie spent a number of years apart, but reunited in recent years to create several successful albums including 'Peachtree Road.'
9. Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen is considered by many to be the voice of the blue-collar worker, and rightly so. His songs like 'The River', 'Badlands' and 'Thunder Road' capture the grit of real life in America without pretension or glitz. Along with his E Street Band, Springsteen's five-hour concerts took on near-religious proportions, creating zealots out of his fans. And when there is hardship to articulate -- whether it's the return of Vietnam vets in 'Born in the U.S.A' or the tragedy of 9/11 in his album 'The Rising,' Springsteen remains the people's ultimate voice. This so-called "savior of rock 'n' roll" simply loves to rock, and legions of songwriters that follow will never forget his contribution to the craft. Watch this live rendition of 'Thunder Road' and experience Springsteen's magic for
10. U2
Although guitarist the Edge has called it “songwriting by accident,” U2's methodology is more like a democracy. The Edge and singer Bono bring the core of new tracks to bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr. and the quartet hammers out the finished product together. The resulting modern classics like 'One' and 'Pride (In the Name of Love)' prove that while it may not be the quickest route to songwriting, for this Irish export, it is a method that has worked its magic for over 25 years.
11. Kurt Cobain
Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain never intended to become one of the most celebrated rock musicians of all time. But his expertly crafted, punk-inspired tales of frustration and alienation struck a chord with a generation in the early ‘90s, and —- as his band became the anchor of the “grunge” movement with the success of the album 'Nevermind' -— he reluctantly became an icon. The group's trademark tracks -- 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', 'Lithium' and 'All Apologies' -- have lost none of their potency over a decade after they were originally released, but Kurt Cobain's inner demons (which were mirrored in some of the emotionally-distressed imagery in his lyrics) sadly caused him to take his own life in April 1994.
AOL Radio
AOL Radio Classic Rock Stations
AOL Radio brings you music from most seminal songwriting genius' like Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Bob Dylan , Mick Jagger and many more.
Special Look
How does the biggest star in country act between takes? Watch behind the scenes footage of Kenny Chesney in our Sessions studio and see for yourself!