Raised on doo wop and Chuck Berry tunes, and following in the footsteps of Bob Dylan and the Beatles, singer-songwriters write and perform their own music and this makes them not only multi-talented musicians but also liberated solo artists since they are beholden to no one but their muse. Most people would agree the golden age of singer-songwriters was the early 70’s when blue jean rock poets like Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, and James Taylor forged the template for a new sub-genre that espoused personal expression, universal goodwill, and getting in touch with our feelings but today seems struggling to survive.
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| Jim Croce |
Emerging from the political turmoil of the 60's, the singer-songwriters were a breath of fresh air for many listeners. They were barefoot, wandering minstrels and former flower children turned wide-eyed realists, writing and singing songs for the everyman and championing the song itself over any vocal or instrumental chops. Besides expressing their empathy for the human condition, I think what I dig most about singer-songwriters is their ability to (every now and then) craft and polish that perfect song which has just the right mixture of wit, wisdom, and vulnerability to become a classic.
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| Jackson Browne |
For me, the best of the singer-songwriters respect the power of words. They know how to stoke those secret corners of our minds and souls and leave us something worth remembering. Sure, singer-songwriters can come across as a bit too serious and introspective at times but I believe their compassion, humor, and humanity are still sorely needed in our world today. Here are some of my favorite singer-songwriter songs. Enjoy!
01. Gordon Lightfoot – “Protocol” (1976)
02. James Taylor – “Wandering” (1975)
03. Gene Clark – “For a Spanish Guitar” (1971)
04. Gordon Lightfoot – “Carefree Highway” (1974)
05. Jim Croce – “Time in a Bottle” (1973)
06. Jackson Browne – “Running on Empty (Live)” (1977)
07. Gordon Lightfoot – “If You Could Read My Mind” (1970)
08. Jackson Browne – “Sky Blue and Black (Live)” (2008)
09. Carly Simon – “You’re So Vain” (1972)
10. Tim Buckley – “Once I Was” (1968)
11. James Taylor – “Mexico” (1975)
12. Cat Stevens – “Father and Son” (1970)
13. Jackson Browne – “Jamaica Say You Will” (1972)
14. Randy Newman – “Louisiana 1927” (1974)
15. Jim Croce – “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” (1973)
16. Warren Zevon – “Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner” (1978)
17. Gordon Lightfoot – “Ordinary Man” (1972)
18. Jackson Browne – “Doctor My Eyes” (1972)
19. Paul Simon – “Mother and Child Reunion” (1972)
20. Paul Simon – “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” (1972)
21. Cat Stevens – “I’ve Got a Thing About Seeing My Grandson Grow Old” (1970)
22. Warren Zevon – “Poor Poor Pitiful Me” (1976)
Listen to the playlist on Spotify...03. Gene Clark – “For a Spanish Guitar” (1971)
04. Gordon Lightfoot – “Carefree Highway” (1974)
05. Jim Croce – “Time in a Bottle” (1973)
06. Jackson Browne – “Running on Empty (Live)” (1977)
07. Gordon Lightfoot – “If You Could Read My Mind” (1970)
08. Jackson Browne – “Sky Blue and Black (Live)” (2008)
09. Carly Simon – “You’re So Vain” (1972)
10. Tim Buckley – “Once I Was” (1968)
11. James Taylor – “Mexico” (1975)
12. Cat Stevens – “Father and Son” (1970)
13. Jackson Browne – “Jamaica Say You Will” (1972)
14. Randy Newman – “Louisiana 1927” (1974)
15. Jim Croce – “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” (1973)
16. Warren Zevon – “Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner” (1978)
17. Gordon Lightfoot – “Ordinary Man” (1972)
18. Jackson Browne – “Doctor My Eyes” (1972)
19. Paul Simon – “Mother and Child Reunion” (1972)
20. Paul Simon – “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” (1972)
21. Cat Stevens – “I’ve Got a Thing About Seeing My Grandson Grow Old” (1970)
22. Warren Zevon – “Poor Poor Pitiful Me” (1976)
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