Posted on 05/13/2026 9:44:15 AM PDT by yesthatjallen
Taylor Swift has earned recognition alongside hip-hop mogul Jay-Z and reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny on The New York Times' newly published list of the 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters. The unranked compilation, released Monday, represents the culmination of ballots submitted by hundreds of music industry experts before being refined by the newspaper's editorial team. The selection process aimed to identify artists whose compositions have shaped the American musical landscape over the past five decades.
The comprehensive roster includes an impressive cross-section of American musical talent spanning multiple generations and genres. Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey, Carole King, and Stevie Wonder represent established legends, while contemporary voices like Missy Elliott, Young Thug, Kendrick Lamar, and Lana Del Rey showcase modern songwriting excellence. Iconic figures Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Lionel Richie, and Fiona Apple round out a list that The New York Times describes as featuring artists whose "music has defined what half a century of national life sounds like."
According to the publication's methodology statement, the selection committee considered "all sorts of remarkable songwriters, including lots of weird geniuses and under-loved influences." However, they ultimately gravitated toward what they termed "the beating-heart story of American song." The chosen artists represent creators whose music has permeated various aspects of American culture, from private listening experiences to public spaces, spanning "headphones, radios, grocery-store aisles, TikTok videos and school-gym ceremonies, blasting out of karaoke machines, club speakers and the windows of passing cars."
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(Excerpt) Read more at songlyrics.com ...
Watch This NYT "Music Critic" Embarrass Himself...AGAIN (9 min. video)
Any list with Springsteen on it is worthless.
this was already posted last week or the week before, basically a totally worthless list
Smokey Robinson should be there. Did Neil Diamond write his own? The Barrys Gibb & Manilow.
Anything by the New York Times is complete trash.
I like to bring collections of short stories when I go on vacation, because those make very good beach readings. I made the mistake of bringing a collection that was put together by a New York Times editor. Every single story was predictable woke pablum that never deviated from The Narrative. It was a complete waste of time.
Sounds like this is the same thing.
If they’re so great how come I only know one Taylor Swift song and none of Jay Zee? On the other hand I know many songs written by George Strait and Alan Jackson.
OH BROTHER!
Barry Gibb wrote a ton of songs for the BeeGees and many others. WTH?
I wonder if we’ll ever have another Johnny Mercer or Irving Berlin...
Rick Beato nailed it. They're also insufferable. They're pseudointellectuals who most likely put out what they did to be 'edgy' and 'contoversial'. Figures three of them were Ivy League educated.
Listening to them was like watching Frazier and Niles Crane.
We all know that millions of American families sit around the campfire and sing songs written by Young Thug.
I would add Joni Mitchel.
Well now Jay Zee is right up there with George Gershwin and Jimmy Webb. At least for the New York Times.
There are no more songwriters, because lyrics will be generated by AI.
Barry Gibb wrote a ton of songs for the BeeGees and many others. WTH?
I would add Joni Mitchel.
For the Grammys, Pulitzer, and Nobel, I’m betting the house on Young Thug.
I’ve never heard his stuff, but I’m sure it’s inspirational and uplifting.
Too bad Tom Petty left us almost 9 years ago. He was one of the best American songwriters out there. IMHO.
I can’t name one song.
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