If you judge Lennon and McCartney just on their early works, you could make a case for them being in the all-time top 5 worst songwriters. However, thanks to the man who is #1 on the list, they started smoking ganja and their songwriting abilities improved 1,000%. Best lyrics: 'Yesterday'
4. Eddie Vedder
Talk to a Pearl Jam fan and they will likely tell you Pearl Jam's music has helped them get through a difficult time in their life. Eddie Vedder has written the vast majority of these therapeutic songs. Probably known to the masses for their harder, angst filled songs, it is their more introspective and slower songs that are their best lyrically. Best lyrics: 'Black'
3. Keith Richards/Mick Jagger
Keith and Mick have composed some of the most well known songs in the history of music. It is said, that somewhere a Stones' song is playing on the radio every second of every day. Best lyrics: 'Paint It, Black'
2. Bruce Springsteen
More than any other songwriter, Springsteen has been able to write about, identify, and inspire the working-class. His songs often tell a story in 5 minutes better than some movies can in 2 hours. Best lyrics: 'Thunder Road'
1. Bob Dylan
Was there even a question about who would be number one? Everyone else was fighting for 2nd, really. Dylan is not just our best lyricist, he may well be our greatest poet. Colleges actually have classes devoted to the study of his lyrics. How crazy is that? Best lyrics: 'Masters of War'