NYT publishes list of 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters
The New York Times published "The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters," naming 30 living songwriters including Bob Dylan, Carole King, Jay-Z and Taylor Swift. More than 250 music insiders and six New York Times critics voted to compile the list that aims to define the new American songbook. Selections span folk, pop, rock, hip-hop and country, including veteran icons and contemporary hitmakers. The roundup matters because it helps set which living writers critics and historians will point to when assessing contemporary songwriting and awarding future honors.
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
Niko Stratis82also, lots of people learning that Joni Mitchell is from Alberta/Saskatchewan in real time
Niko Stratis34I actually don't really have any issues with the list, its got Smokey Robinson on it, and it's also got Stephen Merritt (which i was surprised and delighted to see)
John Moe24Why isn’t Joe Montana on this list?! Or Margaret Dumont?! What about a big plate of caramels or the Eiffel Tower?!?!
Nathan Whitlock18What a joke of an article. Where is Mozart? Where is Beethoven?
🚨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
emm (they/them)49IT’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...
Logan283m video from NYT TT account
atti18Its giving ttpd in screaming colour?????
Leap🧨🦩🥨🧨14This is from the interviewer in the comments...it's interestinggggg
tree 🌸🍒 (cherry blossom version)13I DONT HAVE TIME TAYLOR
steph10Sorry to my colleagues but I will be watching this as soon as I get into the office😂
hope 𓍢໋🕊️7omfg i can’t wait to watch ahhhhhhh
BettyD5You posting 🚨 is my favorite way to wake up
Bramfam🏳️🌈2She looks so sad, definitely funeral vibes for me😭
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.
Chris Vanocur67How is Jason Isbell not on this list???
John Smyth66Randy Newman is still alive, folks
Bixlee, The New Online Checkout Option31it's fucked up that taylor swift is on here and not lizard rodent and the tentacles
Norm Charlatan29Where are Alex and Drew of The Chainsmokers?
Michael Hessel-Mial23Hello where is Weird Al
Cliff Corcoran20Not mentioned even in the comments yet: Gamble & Huff, David Byrne, Jeff Tweedy.
wilco de lange15Jason Isbell, Joni Mitchell, Adrianne Lenker are missing.
K. Ward Cummings12What?! NONE of them compare to Joni Mitchell. Taylor Swift and Jay Z aren’t even on the same planet as Mitchell.
Phantom Thief11This is the greatest living album selling artists
Left of the Dial10No Tom Waits? Never mind top 30 - he's probably my number 1 pick
Mukor10Love 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?!?!?
Snabby10George Clinton has to be on this list.
nycitymouse.bsky.social10Billy Joel? Jackson Browne? James Taylor? All better than some on that list.
norbizness9Bob Dylan called Smokey Robinson the best American songwriter back in the day and there's no reason for that to have changed.
Severian9Where the fuck is Lon Manuel Miranda? Big miss NYT.
John M. Cunningham8If you told me Dua Lipa was asked for a list and she put only one name on it, I never would have guessed who she picked. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
bigkeeper13.bsky.social8Insert my favourite artist here: These lists are so predictable as are the replies. My addition, (if he’s not there): Colin Meloy
Truther_Dare7How could you leave Wesley Willis off this list?!?!?
Kelly Dwyer7if you participated in this quit your job
jamiejam23.bsky.social6How is Sufjan Stevens not on here?
Charlie Foxtrot6I have a hard time not forgetting a swift song immediately, I tried
It’s a floor wax and a dessert topping!4MIKE STOLLER. HOW IS MIKE STOLLER NOT ON THIS LIST? Literally the most successful songwriter in Rock and Roll before the Beatles, and you don’t include him? What are you smoking?
Formerly FoxForceFlacco4Jimmy Webb somehow isn’t there despite being on seemingly more of the lists they solicited than just about anyone else That’s an omission that feels inarguable to me
D. A. Powell4Yoko Ono should be number one.
Moth3I think Jesse Welles deserves a shoutout.
Adiamoon once3Tell me Neil Diamond is on this list.
Chris the Hat Man2Is Stevie Wonder on there?
Daniel Joyaux2Overall good list, but I wish it would’ve been a top 50. Omissions I’m sad about: Jeff Tweedy, Neko Case, Paul Westerberg, Mark Olson & Gary Louris, Beck, David Byrne, R.E.M., Donald Fagen, Tom Waits, Randy Newman, Jason Isbell, Sufjan Stevens, Patti Smith
* There Are Bot2To all the people saying Isbell should be on the list: what's his best song?
johnsisko.bsky.social2Jimmy Webb should be there just for Wichita Lineman.
johnsisko.bsky.social2The NYT staff did pick Stevie Wonder, but chose to write about Part Time Lover. Not As, My Cherie Amour, Superstion, Living for the City, Superwoman. Songs in the Key of Life is the greatest collection of lyrics and music by a single musician of any generation but the staff chose a jingle.
Chris Otto (Papergreat)2Is Adam Duritz on the list?
sallyhowell.bsky.social2And come to think of it no Joni Mitchell, Paul McCartney, James Taylor?
SiddiqRex2@tmbg.bsky.social have been putting out albums and touring for almost half a century, but what do the Johns know, right?
Paul McCurdie2Who cares? This isn't news. It's fluff. When are you going to write about Trump's diminishing mental acuity with the same fervor you did when Biden was faltering?
Kevin Kretsch (DrKev)2Can’t see it because paywall, but I did notice the photo of Nile Rodgers which I absolutely agree with. I would hope that Hall & Oates are on that list too.
I was one of 6 critics on the panel that duked it out to compile the final list Also did video interviews w/3 honorees & wrote appreciations of 8: Bob Dylan Missy Elliott Jay-Z Willie Nelson Nile Rodgers Brandy Clark/Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne Paul Simon Stephin Merritt P.S. Joni is Canadian
Big Fat Bartolo's Colon4I can't think of a better way to smooth over our relationship with Canada than honoring them with someone on the greatest American songwriters list
Jody Rosen2Of course there are lots of "glaring omissions." In the nature of the exercise: there are *many* awesome songwriters across genres/idioms & a list of 30 is, you know, finite. You read a bit about the panel's process & reasoning (& struggles & pitched battles) here
