Let's be honest, Anderson, Dylan and Cohen are the only lyricists that really matter in music in general.

Album Rating: 5.0

Van Morrison, JT.

I haven't heard much of his stuff but in what I have heard his lyrics haven't really impressed me at all. Maybe I should listen to him more but I must say I don't think I've ever heard anyone hold him in a similar regard lyrically to those 3 before.

Album Rating: 3.5

Same but then most lyrics are just trifles in the scheme of things

Album Rating: 4.5

'Anderson is without a doubt the best lyricist in prog.'



Based on the man's initials and his avatar, I don't think you will convince him otherwise

No you could easily convince me otherwise if it wasn't true.

Martin Barre is nowhere near the best guitarist in prog.
Nor is John Evan the best keyboardist.
Anderson isn't a particularly special acoustic guitar player.

Just because Tull are my favourite band doesn't mean it clouds my judgement. I'm not like Pleb with Opeth ;)

Their songwriting is what makes them so damn tasty, but this song shows how tight their musicianship is too.

Album Rating: 4.5

'No you could easily convince me otherwise if it wasn't true.'



haha, i suppose.......true in your own mind anyways

I'd love to hear who you think is a better lyricist in prog.

There's really very little competition for Anderson within the genre.

Album Rating: 4.5

I'd have to give it a lot of thought and to be honest, I'm not familiar with Tull's entire discography so I certainly couldn't make that kind of judgement. I do agree that Tull has some great lyrics.



If i truly believed Neil Peart writing about feuding trees was better than Ian Anderson's lyrics, that would be the only thing that matters. After all it would be my opinion.



It's not the case in this example but you definitely catch my drift.

Album Rating: 4.5

I don't know, within the genre I'd say my favorite lyricist is either Ian Anderson or Peter Sinfield.

Album Rating: 4.5

I'm a big Neil Peart fan for lyrics, but I can understand that he can drop some awkwardly worded lines that are more noticeable if you just examine the lyrics without the music.

Album Rating: 4.5

What most people don't realize is that Peart's 'fantasy' lyrics often relate to real life issues and conditions. They see them as silly but there is more to them.



I am a big fan of MOST of his later lyrics which deal with life's issues directly as well.

Album Rating: 4.5

Oh don't get me wrong, the last bit of Hemispheres are my favorite lyrics of all time, but I can see why it's not for everyone.



Yeah his later stuff is overlooked, "Losing It" off of Signals might be his best.

Album Rating: 4.5

Ahhh, yes, the balance and reasoning of the human brain - agreed

Album Rating: 4.5

"What most people don't realize is that Peart's 'fantasy' lyrics often relate to real life issues and conditions. They see them as silly but there is more to them."



Well yeah, I get that, but making a metaphor on society and discrimination using trees as a subject is just ridiculous.

Album Rating: 4.5

haha Onirium I don't blame you

Album Rating: 5.0

Peart's lyrics aren't always on target, but some of them really are fantastic. Prog lyrics get a bad rap in general from people who don't take the time to understand them. I even like Jon Anderson's lyrics for their originality and collage-like painting. Obviously, I've given up trying to piece more than a couple sentences together, but still!

Album Rating: 4.5

Genesis had some good stuff too, Selling England by the Pound has some really well-written lyrics on there.



Then you get stuff like Yes and you just kind of roll with whatever imagery they're pushing on you. All part of the fun.