Three artists on the New York Times ’30 Greatest Living American Songwriters’ list came close to making my own list, but I reconsidered including them.
One is Stevie Wonder, who is without question a musical genius and one of the most iconic and celebrated American songwriters and performers in history. If I were compiling some sort of “objective” list of the greats, he would be on it.
But as much as I recognize Wonder’s talent, and really enjoy some of his albums and songs, he’s never been a favorite. And I decided my list should reflect my specific passions, for better or worse.
Another is Dolly Parton, whom I adore as a singular personality and country music legend. But I simply don’t know enough of her music to include her on my list. The three or four songs of hers I know well are classics, sure, but I would want to dive into her voluminous catalog before claiming her as one of my favorite songwriters.
I just might do that one of these days, and at that point she may well bump somebody off of the list and claim her rightful spot.
The same argument keeps Willie Nelson from making the cut. The man has released 104 studio albums and I’ve listened to exactly one of them all the way through. I can’t in good conscience put him on my list of favorite songwriters based on reputation alone.
I don’t know if I’ll ever get around to listening to even a fraction of those albums. And the man is 93, so I’m not sure how long he’ll be eligible for the “living” part of the ‘Greatest Living American Songwriters’ list. But I won’t count him out just yet.
Well, hello there
My, it’s been a long, long time
How am I doing?
Oh, I guess that I’m doing fine
It’s been so long now
But it seems now that it was only yesterday
Gee, ain’t it funny
How time slips away?
[Verse 2]
How’s your new love?
I hope that he’s doing fine
I heard you told him
That you’d love him ’til the end of time
Now that’s the same thing that you told me
Seems like just the other day
Gee, ain’t it funny
How time slips away?
[Verse 3]
I gotta go now
I guess I’ll see you around
Don’t know when though
Never know when I’ll be back in town
But remember what I tell you
In time, you’re gonna pay
And it’s surprising how time slips away
Meet Me In Montauk 
Of those three, only Stevie Wonder would likely make my list. I too would not include Dolly or Willie, partially based on lack of familiarity, partially because I don’t consider them first and foremost as songwriters (I believe both have collaborated and done covers) and also, you know, Dolly’s a woman so there’s that…😉
I think Willie has done a lot of both covers and originals, but Dolly is one of the most prolific songwriters of all time. I just haven’t heard 99% of those songs!
Very fair! The NYT panelists certainly let their personal opinions filter the entries they got from their 250 experts. It’s only right that you do the same for your personal list. I agree with frequent commentator, Dana, that Stevie Wonder would be the only writer of these 3 I’d have in my 30.
I still haven’t seen the breakdown of how much they factor the individual elements of songwriting such as melody, chord progression, lyricism, structure, etc. However, Wonder excels in the melody and chord progression part perhaps more than anyone else on the NYT list. Paul Simon would be his only competition in my opinion.
You listen to a gorgeous ode such as “All in Love is Fair”, “As”, or “Overjoyed” where you can sense the complexity but it in no way takes away from the emotional impact and at least I’m left feeling that is a clear mark for great writing.
For what it’s worth “Funny How Time Slips Away” also has a compelling chord progression that blends country and jazz a bit.
I’m curious what the one Willie Nelson album you’ve listened to is! For me it’s “Red Headed Stranger”. On there I love “Hands on the Wheel”
Red Headed Stranger for me as well!
Since I am not familiar with their works I can weigh in except to say I like them all 🤷♀️
that is can’t weigh in