NYT publishes list of 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters

musicApr 28, 202634243

The New York Times published a list of the 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters after polling six Times critics and more than 250 music insiders. The roster includes Bob Dylan, Carole King, Jay-Z, Taylor Swift and Mariah Carey, with selections spanning folk, pop, R&B and hip-hop. By defining a contemporary American songbook, the list highlights songwriters whose catalogs, from classic standards to modern streaming hits, continue to shape culture and the music industry.

Niko Stratis

@nikostratis.com

someone in the replies is asking why Paul McCartney isn't listed amongst the greatest American songwriters, in case you're wondering if this site lost the juice

701h ago

Niko Stratis35

also, lots of people learning that Joni Mitchell is from Alberta/Saskatchewan in real time

John Moe5

Why isn’t Joe Montana on this list?! Or Margaret Dumont?! What about a big plate of caramels or the Eiffel Tower?!?!

emm (they/them)

@lostinconey.swifties.social

🚨Y’ALL BETTER WAKE TF UP RN🚨 Taylor for the New York Times “The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters” this feels absolutely insane to be coming out on 4/28 (iykyk) why does she look dressed for a funeral AND a wedding?? was this from a couple weeks ago when Tay was out with

492h ago

emm (they/them)29

IT’S A THRITY MINUTE INTERVIEW!!! OH WE ARE GETTING FED “In this 30-minute interview, Swift explains her process, the stories behind some of her biggest hits, her love of a “rant bridge” and how life in the public eye informs the stories she tells in her songs.” www.nytimes.com/2026/04/28/m...

Logan20

3m video from NYT TT account

atti13

Its giving ttpd in screaming colour?????

tree 🌸🍒 (cherry blossom version)7

I DONT HAVE TIME TAYLOR

steph7

Sorry to my colleagues but I will be watching this as soon as I get into the office😂

hope 𓍢໋🕊️5

omfg i can’t wait to watch ahhhhhhh

Leap🧨🦩🥨🧨4

This is from the interviewer in the comments...it's interestinggggg

The New York Times

@nytimes.com

Who are the greatest living American songwriters? Our list includes Bob Dylan, Carole King, Jay-Z, Mariah Carey and more. See who else made the cut.

453h ago

Chris Vanocur19

How is Jason Isbell not on this list???

John Smyth12

Randy Newman is still alive, folks

K. Ward Cummings7

What?! NONE of them compare to Joni Mitchell. Taylor Swift and Jay Z aren’t even on the same planet as Mitchell.

Snabby4

George Clinton has to be on this list.

Phantom Thief3

This is the greatest living album selling artists

norbizness3

Bob Dylan called Smokey Robinson the best American songwriter back in the day and there's no reason for that to have changed.

wilco de lange3

Jason Isbell, Joni Mitchell, Adrianne Lenker are missing.

Bixlee, The New Online Checkout Option2

it's fucked up that taylor swift is on here and not lizard rodent and the tentacles

Mukor2

Love the inclusion of some worthwhile songwriters along with a bunch of bozos who produce slop but are famous. Where the fuck is St. Vincent, Mark Mothersbaugh, I could go on. Mariah Carey?!?!?

nycitymouse.bsky.social2

Billy Joel? Jackson Browne? James Taylor? All better than some on that list.

Severian2

Where the fuck is Lon Manuel Miranda? Big miss NYT.

D. A. Powell2

Yoko Ono should be number one.

bigkeeper13.bsky.social2

Insert my favourite artist here: These lists are so predictable as are the replies. My addition, (if he’s not there): Colin Meloy

Luke O'Neil

@lukeoneil47.bsky.social

NYT got one of the greatest living songwriters correct anyway

211h ago

ʅαυɾα⸆⸉ ✮˙💋ᴴ🐞

@fateofophel1ia.swifties.social

Taylor Swift reflects on her songwriting for nytimes: “The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters”!

102h ago

New Roses University 🌹🎓

@newroses.bsky.social

The New York Times names “Taylor Swift” “Dolly Parton” “Diane Warren” “Kendrick Lamar” and “Carole King” among the “40 Greatest Living American Songwriters.” 🌹📰 See them all here:

162h ago

Daniel Radosh

@radosh.bsky.social

deleted this because I posted before my morning caffeine and didn't clock that it's Greatest Living *American* Songwriters

111h ago

Eric Alterman

@ericalterman.bsky.social

Hey lunatics. Bruce is #2 to Dylan, not Smokey Robinson! (and I hate exclamation points). www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

52h ago

Dashiell Bennett

@dashiell.bsky.social

What I find most interesting about this exercise is that most of the people on this list -- while deserving -- have not produced any meaningful work in years; in some cases, decades. Who is relevant today that would replace them?

31h ago

Dashiell Bennett3

Also Billy Joel should be on here (Yeah, I said it)

norbizness

@norbizness.bsky.social

Bob Dylan called Smokey Robinson the best American songwriter back in the day and there's no reason for that to have changed.

33h ago

alkali

@alkali19.bsky.social

I'm going to ask what I fear might be the dumbest possible question: the list is Greatest Living American Songwriters (hence Paul McCartney is not on the list). Is Joni therefore not on it because she's Canadian?

12h ago

David Leheny

@davidleheny.bsky.social

All you need to know about this terrible list is that it has FIFA Literature Prize winner Bob Dylan but not Erin Chapman & Zack Jones, who wrote "Weekend Whip," the haunting theme song of "Lego Ninjago."

12h ago