The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters
2Digest
This podcast delves into The New York Times' project to identify the 30 greatest living American songwriters. It details the rigorous selection process, involving expert surveys and critical debates, and explores the diverse origins and styles of American music. The discussion features insights into the songwriting techniques of prominent artists such as Taylor Swift, Jay-Z, and Nile Rodgers, as well as the collaborative approach of Nashville-based songwriters. The project ultimately celebrates the rich, multi-ethnic tapestry of American popular song, tracing its historical roots and contemporary influences.
Outlines
Introduction to Wirecutter's Moving Guide and The New York Times' Best Living Songwriters Project
Ben Frumann introduces Wirecutter's moving guide with essential tips. The New York Times magazine staff debated and compiled a list of the best living American songwriters across various genres.
The Process and Debates Behind the Songwriters List
Deputy editor Sasha Wise explains the ambitious process of creating the list, from surveying experts to a day-long debate among critics. Notable omissions, like Billy Joel, are discussed, highlighting the subjective nature of rankings.
Diverse American Songwriting and Artist Insights
The list reflects the diverse origins and styles of American music. The project's third phase involved interviewing selected songwriters to understand their creative processes, with a focus on unique approaches.
Taylor Swift's Songwriting: Evolution, Techniques, and Sensitivity
Critic John Caramanica and Joe Cascarelli discuss Taylor Swift's intimate craft, evolution, and influences, including narrative twists, emo inspirations, and lyrical devices. Her signature techniques like "rant bridges" and sensitivity to criticism are explored, with criticism fueling her art.
Jay-Z, Nashville Songwriters, and Nile Rodgers' Contributions
Jody Rosen discusses Jay-Z's mastery of storytelling and technical skill. He also highlights Nashville songwriters Clark, McAnally, and Osborne, who treat songwriting as a job, and Nile Rodgers' iconic dance anthems.
The Grand Tradition of American Songwriting
Rosen reflects on the overarching wisdom of the list, emphasizing the rich, multi-ethnic tapestry of American popular song, tracing its roots from West Africa and the British Isles to jazz, blues, and urban folk traditions.
Keywords
Songwriting Process
The methods and techniques songwriters use to create music, including lyrical development, melody construction, and arrangement. This can involve inspiration, collaboration, and revision.
Best Living Songwriters
A curated list identifying influential and skilled songwriters who are currently active in the music industry, recognized for their significant contributions to the art form.
Music Criticism
The analysis and evaluation of music, often involving subjective opinions on artistic merit, technical skill, and cultural impact. It plays a role in shaping public perception and artistic discourse.
Taylor Swift
A globally renowned American singer-songwriter known for her narrative lyrical style, genre versatility, and massive commercial success. Her work often explores themes of love, relationships, and personal growth.
Jay-Z
A highly influential American rapper, entrepreneur, and record producer, celebrated for his lyrical prowess, business acumen, and impact on hip-hop culture. He is known for his storytelling and technical rhyme schemes.
Nile Rodgers
A legendary American musician, songwriter, and producer, best known as the co-founder of the band Chic. He is renowned for his distinctive guitar playing and his work on numerous disco and R&B hits.
Nashville Songwriters
Songwriters based in Nashville, Tennessee, often associated with the country music industry. They may work independently or collaboratively, focusing on crafting commercially successful songs for various artists.
Lyrical Techniques
Specific methods used in writing lyrics, such as metaphor, simile, alliteration, rhyme schemes, and narrative structure, to convey meaning, evoke emotion, and enhance the song's impact.
Q&A
How did The New York Times create its list of the best living American songwriters?
The New York Times created the list by first surveying a wide range of music experts, including musicians, producers, critics, and scholars. This was followed by a rigorous debate among Times critics to finalize the top 30 individuals.
What are some of the key songwriting techniques discussed in relation to Taylor Swift?
Taylor Swift's techniques include using narrative twists, drawing inspiration from emo music, employing juxtaposition and polarity in lyrics, meticulous wordplay, and innovative use of song bridges, particularly "rant bridges."
How does Jay-Z approach the songwriting process?
Jay-Z often starts with the flow and rhythm of a beat, then fills it with words. He emphasizes technical skill, intricate rhymes, double and triple entendres, and wordplay, relishing the challenge of making words convey multiple meanings.
What is unique about the Nashville songwriting collective discussed?
This collective, including Brandi Clark, Shane McAnally, and Josh Osborne, treats songwriting as a nine-to-five job, focusing on crafting hits for stars. They innovate within country music, incorporating R&B influences and tackling gritty themes.
How did Nile Rodgers come up with the idea for Diana Ross's "I'm Coming Out"?
Nile Rodgers was inspired at a club filled with Diana Ross lookalikes. He realized the song's potential appeal to the gay community and immediately called his co-writer to capture the idea before he forgot it.
What is the overarching theme or wisdom extracted from the list of best living songwriters?
The list reveals a grand tradition of American popular song, drawing from diverse historical and cultural streams like West African music, blues, jazz, folk, and European immigrant traditions, creating a unified "American music."
Show Notes
Roughly a year ago, a team at The New York Times Magazine set about tackling a nearly impossible task: creating a list of the greatest living American songwriters. But how to take the tens of thousands of songwriters working in this country and narrow them down to a digestible list? The answer involved thousands of voting ballots, hundreds of music industry insiders and a series of closed-door meetings among a small group of music experts. The result, The Times’s list of the 30 greatest living American songwriters, was published this week.
Today, Michael Barbaro talks with Sasha Weiss, a deputy editor of The Times Magazine, who oversaw the project, as well as Joe Coscarelli and Jody Rosen, two members of the cadre of critics assigned with compiling the final list. They discuss the list-making process, what defines a great songwriter and why Billy Joel didn’t make the final cut.
We also hear from some of the songwriters featured on the list, including Taylor Swift, Nile Rodgers and the songwriting team of Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne.
On Today's Episode:
Sasha Weiss is a deputy editor of The New York Times Magazine.
Joe Coscarelli is a culture reporter for The Times. He is a co-host of “Popcast,” a producer of the “Song of the Week” video series and the author of “Rap Capital: An Atlanta Story.”
Jody Rosen is a contributing writer for the magazine and the author of “Two Wheels Good: The History and Mystery of the Bicycle.”
Background Reading:
The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters
Cast Your Vote for the Greatest Living American Songwriters
Photo credit: Stefan Ruiz for The New York Times
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