Words + Music

Take a phrase. Turn it. Tweak it. Make it your own. The following songwriters have done so in a way that resonates and radiates with scores of people. People who are fans of the phrase; of the music that accompanies the words with just a simple guitar, bass and drumset, or with a swelling chorus of instruments. You hear it and feel it, not just in your ears, but in your heart as well. You might even sing along a little bit.

This playlist is fairly all-inclusive, with some that lean toward the mainstream and others that have always done their own thing. I realize that I left out so many worthy candidates, especially women, but I just like the sound of men singing. Other men I was considering were Richard Thompson, John Prine, Joseph Arthur and many, many others who laid the groundwork for this genre. If there's an obviously glaring omission please let me know. I tried to keep the playlist tight but I'd be willing to add something outstanding.

Lovely Words & Music

* "River Man" - Nick Drake
* "Collide" - Howie Day
* "Sodom, South Georgia" - Iron & Wine
* "Step Inside This House" - Lyle Lovett
* "Orange Sky (Album Version)" - Alexi Murdoch
* "Cry On Demand" - Ryan Adams
* "You Ain't Got A Hold On Me" - Mark Kozelek
* "Shelter" - Ray Lamontagne
* "The Blower's Daughter" - Damien Rice
* "Captain Kirk" - Bob Schneider
* "Lover, You Should've Come Over" - Jeff Buckley
* "You're Always Going Too Soon" - Matthew Jay
* "Love Untold" - Paul Westerberg
* "Streetlight" - Tom McRae
* "Seasons" - Neil Halstead