[Simon Hunt]

He speaks! I came here to post what Roger already has, so I won't make another link. It's a fascinating and characteristically inscrutable new interview, illustrated with some great photos I'd never seen before (and some I had...). On one hand Dylan says some of his songs are "Homeric in value." On the other, he indicates that--not being an "academic"--he really has no "opinion" on the quality of his work.

He doesn't opine on Morrissey either, but I can think of several lyricists I'd rank higher myself...

[Erik Olson]

Fascinating, just when it seemed to everyone he would shun the ceremony, he surprises even that surprisingly arrived at expectation; and on the contrary, appears eager to show up. Rule number one of the Dylan creed and only rule abided with consistency:
keep 'em guessing.

[James Brancheau]

Well, Simon, I need the music for both. But I'll protest a little. I think there were a lot more kids in the 60s than in the 80s, so a lot more people who can remember good songs (until y'all die off). Social change was more the norm then (I mean, you know, if you wanted to play cool music). Not so much the 80s. Dylan worked within a genre. There wasn't a genre that I know of for The Smiths. They both have distinctive voices that are nearly impossible to imitate, imo. But I'd say Morrissey had more courage. As far as lyrics go, The Smiths hold up pretty well. How Soon Is Now, for example, has its moments and is legendary among those in my age vicinity.

[Simon Hunt]

Hi James--you may have formed some erroneous ideas about me based on my Dylan advocacy here. I'm an 80s kid, not a 60s one ( born in 67, 49 and some months now, and--holy shit!--50 soon), so I hope not to die off any time soon. And I like The Smiths! Although I'm more of a Johnny Marr fan than a Morrissey one (and really don't get how so many love the latter's work without the former...), I'll give Mozzer credit that his best work holds up pretty well and that he was brave and thus positive in the lives of many. Of course, David Bowie and others did more in this vein much earlier... I don't agree with all your arguments, though. Dylan was much more the genre-buster than the Smiths ever were, for example. It would be fun, though, to talk about lyricists who should be next when the committee sees fit to go this way. I would agree with those who mention Leonard Cohen, but he is 82, I think, and unlikely to be alive then. Richard Thompson is 70ish. Polly Jean Harvey? She's 47, I think. Even if we restrict ourselves to 80s British Indy figures from Northern industrial cities, I think I'd vote Paul Heaton over Morrissey.

Our posts are likely of interest to almost nobody here, but what the hell?

Edited to add: I'm not much of a musical theatre type, but I read somewhere, maybe here, a strong argument for Stephen Sondheim...

[James Brancheau]

I was messing around--really, I'm not waiting for anyone (that you know) to die off. But I did assume you were older. Turned 48 yesterday and am so happy you're a little older. 50 really is bad news. (And you're right. No one cares so let's sneak off together before someone notices.)

[Simon Hunt]

Just thought of Elvis Costello. Not actually my favorite, but maybe the most verbally dexterous of Rock lyricists. Ray Davies? Tom Waits?

P.S. Happy Birthday!

[James Brancheau]

I like Elvis Costello in doses. But honestly can't imagine listening to an entire album straight through. Love Tom Waits and Ray Davies (always thought Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction looked like him). The last band of my youth I think were The Pixies.

Thanks for the happy birthday. Cheers.

[Mark McDonnell]

James and Simon. If you're going to sneak off somewhere can I come and play? I'm 44 so you're both allowed to roll your eyes and patronise me with impunity. But my inner rock geek is trembling at the list of lyricists you just rolled off.

Cheers!

[James Brancheau]

Oh, I suppose. But you're gonna hafta buy your own wine coolers.

[Jim Moonan]

I just found this thread. Happy, too, that it's here and up for discussion.

My best wish would be for the Nobel Academy to create a new category to acknowledge the many gifted song poets. I think it's artistically an apples-to-oranges comparison and does a disservice to the field of literature to include in the Nobel Prize for Literature, in my opinion... Yet lyrical song writing is a powerful force influencing all societies as much as any other form of written language.

Someone suggested that Dylan's lyrics do not hold the same weight when separated from the music and I think that's unfair. It would be like draining the color out of Picasso's paintings and asking if it still has the same impact.

Others I think are deserving of such recognition would be Leonard Cohen, the work of Lennon & McCartney, Antony Hegarty, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits.