Who is the Great American Songwriter?

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

The person who best embodies the unique American experience through his original music? The person whose ballads define an era?

3 people come to mind off the top of my head.

Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Dylan.

So if I hate all three does that mean I hate America?

[8ballrollin]

Dylan, Hank Williams, Smokey Robinson, B Wilson, Chuck D.

And Mike’s all-time favorite Burt Bacharach

[8ballrollin]

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

So if I hate all three does that mean I hate America?

Or you want the terrorist to win.

[Requiem]

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

So if I hate all three does that mean I hate America?

Does your hatred extend to the music, composers or both? Kind of like loving the sinner and hating the sin? How can you "hate" art? Wouldn't "dislike" be a better term? Do I ask too many questions?

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by Requiem

Does your hatred extend to the music, composers or both?

Both.

At least Paul Simon can sort of sing.

Springsteen's singing is a walking advertisement for Preparation H and Bob Dylan is a walking advertisement for Dramamine.

[8ballrollin]

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

Both.

At least Paul Simon can sort of sing.

Springsteen's music is a walking advertisement for Preparation H and Bob Dylan is a walking advertisement for Dramamine.

Even if you don't like Dylan as a performer; everyone has covered his songs.

[SeattleUte]

Gearge Gershwin is The Great American Composer, isn't he? (I'll defer to Requiem and Farrah.) Or is it Stravinsky?

I love Rhapsody in Blue. United Airlines didn't ruin it for me.

[8ballrollin]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

Gearge Gershwin is The Great American Composer, isn't he? (I'll defer to Requiem and Farrah.) Or is it Stravinsky?

I love Rhapsody in Blue. United Airlines didn't ruin it for me.

I don't have an educated opinion on your suggestions (though I like them both), but aren't we mixing categories? I thought Mike was talking songwriters, not composers. Or, in the end, are they the same category?

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by 8ballrollin

I don't have an educated opinion on your suggestions (though I like them both), but aren't we mixing categories? I thought Mike was talking songwriters, not composers. Or, in the end, are they the same category?

I would say so but it's kind of like comparing graphic novels to literature. Yes, they are in different categories. But it's possible to make a value judgment and say that "songs" are inferior to music produced by Gershwin and Stravinsky.

[creekster]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

I would say so but it's kind of like comparing graphic novels to literature. Yes, they are in different categories. But it's possible to make a value judgment and say that "songs" are inferior to music produced by Gershwin and Stravinsky.

With all due respect, did you read the first part of the thread? Composer v. songwriter was discussed. Requiem settled on Copeland as composer, but the thread is about songwriter.