41 Best Songwriters

Neil Diamond

Artists have covered Neil Diamond’s songs throughout the ages. Artists like Frank Sinatra and Smash Mouth have loved singing his songs and paying credit to his lyrical genius. While Neil has several great songs, “Sweet Caroline” remains one of the most popular today.

You’ll hear people shouting this song at bars, weddings, and in the car while driving. But he’s more than this hit song. His songwriting process is what he called “silly.” He likes to write down what he thinks are silly little lyrics and then sing them until they work.

Michael Jackson

We can’t make a list of the best songwriters without talking about the late Michael Jackson. He started performing with his family in Jackson 5, but he started writing his disco pop hits that put him on the map as a solo artist.

Michael Jackson wrote most of his songs on his own with the help of other lyricists. He’s been documented saying he can hear songs in his head before anyone else and can have a whole song in his head before it’s even on paper. He would even sing an entire song and arrangement without breaking, and it would be an entire song.

Billie Eilish

Even though young Billie Eilish is newer in the music industry, she’s no stranger to it, thanks to her songwriter brother. She began writing her songs and often collaborating with her brother as she pursued her singing career.

Billie Eilish’s beautifully delicate voice is the opposite of her powerful and intense lyrics. She writes deep lyrics that seem insane for someone as young as her to relate to, but she writes them. “Happy Than Ever” showcases just the tip of the iceberg of her songwriting abilities.

Van Morrison

While many artists started as songwriters before becoming famous singers, Van Morrison had the opposite path. He was a successful singer first and then began writing hit songs. Even while he was “just a singer,” he never lost sight that lyrics need to be felt, not just sung.

He’s sung and written songs across genres, proving that he has the skill and passion to write great songs, regardless of the style. Songwriting comes easy to him, and thankfully, it does because we got some of the best songs from his process.

Bruce Springsteen

Rock and roll music was known as this wild genre and more fun than anything, but those like Bruce Springsteen know it’s more than just fun. Bruce Springsteen is one of the best songwriters because he understood that writing requires passion, struggle, and a love for music.

He has taken an intimate approach to writing music. As you listen to songs he’s written, you’ll hear that they’re all about the American identity but also his.

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan has been inspired by several of the songwriters on our list, so it’s only natural that he deserves a spot on this list. His songs are considered transformative, and he continued to set the bar higher and higher lyrically.

He views songs like dreams, and as a songwriter, he believes it’s his responsibility to see these dreams come true in the form of music. A few of his iconic songs we were graced with include “Forever Young” and “Rainy Day Woman #12 and 35.”

Sam Smith

Sam Smith is one of the newest songwriters on our list, but he deserves excellent mention. He uses his platform to share his beautiful lyrics and advocate for marginalized communities. He’s heavily involved in songwriting and either completely writes his music or partners with other legends to make the song as great as possible.

Many of his songs will pierce right through your heart. Some of the best songs he’s written so far in his career are “Love Me More” and “I” m Not the Only One.”

Ed Sheeran

English singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran has made a name for himself worldwide thanks to his delicate voice and intelligently beautiful song lyrics. He’s known for writing and sharing his music with the world.

He’s written songs for far longer than he’s been famous, so to say he has experience is an understatement. Some of his greatest songs are “Castle on the Hill,” “A-Team,” and “Photograph.”

Bob Marley

Bob Marley is known as the man who introduced reggae music to most Americans. His lighthearted voice helped transform the genre into a musical force in the United States.

His lyrics struck a chord with everyone who listened to it. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” is one of his most iconic songs with simple lyrics and powerful meanings. That’s what he did best. He wrote songs with seemingly simple lyrics but always with an impactful meaning underneath.

Adele

Adele rose to fame quickly in 2011 for her powerhouse voice and intense lyrics. She had hit after hit, like” Rolling in the Deep” and “Someone Like You.” She’s known for writing songs about her personal experiences with love and loss.

After what seemed like forever, Adele began sharing songs she’d written again in 2021 and proved that she’s one of the best songwriters in the industry.

Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell is a talented writer with dozens of hits in her repertoire. She has a restless brilliance about her that shows through all the songs she writes and sings.

In the 1970s, she was a strong female songwriter who took her independence seriously. She tapped into her industry and life experience to write some of the best songs in the 1970s and into the 1980s.

Kesha

You’re probably wondering why Kesha is on our list, considering she wrote more party anthems, but that was when she was known as Ke$ha. Since breaking away from her label, Kesha has rebranded herself to be more authentic and genuine.

With that comes the freedom to write her own songs and release them to the world. “Praying” might be the most impactful and beautiful song she’s written.

Loretta Lynn

Loretta Lynn is one of the best songwriters and a leader in Nashville’s feminist revolution. She’s a self-taught guitarist and songwriter, and we’d say she’s done a dang good job.

She writes about things that have personally happened to her or, if they haven’t, how they affected her as a second-hand person. She’s one of the biggest names in country music for a reason, and her songwriting is one of them.

Noah Kahan

Noah Kahan is one of the most unique songwriters. He’s still rising to fame and hasn’t reached his career’s peak.

He’s a folk singer and songwriter with an angelic voice showcasing struggles with love, alcohol, and mental health issues that other artists sometimes avoid writing about.

Top Songwriters Of All Time, Final Thoughts

From longtime songwriters like Paul McCartney to newcomers to the music scene like Noah Kahan, there are some fantastic songwriters in the music industry.

These songwriters span across almost every genre of music and showcase their unique talents when it comes to writing captivating songs.