Greatest American Songwriter of All-Time?

[DC Amp]

That was Loudon Wainwright - "Stinking to high heaven"

[wattchano]

Lynard Skynard

[DC Amp]

Stevie Wonder

[Zaximus]

Jim Croce

This. I realize a good deal of people may have not heard his stuff, and if you did, they few songs that are radio played don't even showcase his skill. He died too young, but he had great songs and lyrics, and did it with ease. Amazing musician.

To whomever said Skynyrd, you need to put this beside it (Before the Plane Crash).

I love Neil Young, but half of his writing is just terrible, while the other half, is amazing. I always dig his music though (minus the electronic album, oh NO). But when you put out over 40 albums or whatever some writing is going to be off haha.

[Bronn]

Paul Waggoner or Tommy Rogers...

[Troy17289TD]

For pure unadultered rock schmaltz, and I mean that in a good way, Jim Steinman of Meatloaf/Bat Out of Hell/Bonnie Tyler/Total Eclipse of the Heart fame.

[Porn Shop Clerk]

Hiram King Williams

so many songs of his have been covered and nobody even realizes it

i'd like to add steve miller

and tom petty

[Porn Shop Clerk]

and stephen stinkin' foster

[Panthers128]

Bob Dylan

David Bowie has American citizenship these days so does he count?

[StepandFetch]

fug, seriously?????

Cat Stevens and Joni Mitchell should have been on the first page.

What about Carly Simon?

J/K about Carly Simon, rofl.

[Jrock88]

Jim Morrison

[Zod]

Has Prince been named?

[Liminy]

My faves are Croce, Jackson Browne, Paul Simon, and Bob Seger

as for the newer generation, Zach de la Rocha, Dax Riggs, and Phil Anselmo.

[Dpantherman]

I think Michael Jackson has to be up there somewhere.

Edit: and Marvin Gaye (and as Zod mentioned...Prince)