#158 - Top 7 Songwriters of the 00s
Sufjan Stevens - Sufjan Stevens’ approach to writing is akin to that of a researcher. His album ‘Illinois’ (2005), part of his state-by-state series, draws on the rich historical and cultural history of Illinois, whilst still pulling in personal touches. Our favourite track from the album? ‘John Wayne Gacy, Jr.’, which revisits the narrative of the infamous serial killer.
Joanna Newsom - Reinjecting folk into the public consciousness during the 00s, Newsom’s delicate voice modulation and harp-playing were a huge success. And her lyrics, deep and biographical, never fail to strike a chord. ‘Emily’, a track exploring the singer’s relationship to her sister, taken from her 2006 ‘Ys’ album, is beautiful!
Bon Iver - A contemporary master in songwriting, Bon Iver has reams of dedicated fans - and there’s a real reason why. Opting for intense solitude when it’s time to write his music, the track ‘Lump Sum’, taken from his 2008 album, ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’, recounts his retreat to a cabin in Wisconsin, where he found the headspace to pen his lyrics for the album.
PJ Harvey - With an illustrious career spanning many decades, Harvey’s sound has always succeeded in morphing with the times. But it’s her album ‘Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea’, released in 2000, that’s become an enduring classic. The track ‘One Line’ is perhaps our favourite - rich with symbolism, it recites the experience of a lover becoming distanced as they struggle with their mental health.
Conor Oberst - The lyrical genius behind American indie band, Bright Eyes, Oberst’s lyrics are known for their emotional depth, striking the perfect balance between melancholic and introspective. ‘First Day of my life’, taken from Bright Eyes’ 2005 album, ‘I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning’, is a classic for a reason!
Alicia Keys - As well as penning the lyrics behind many of her own top hits, Keys’ has also written songs for the likes of Jennifer Hudson and Drake (to name but a few). When combined with her unique fusion of piano and 00s R&B, Keys’ heartfelt lyrics are quite frankly iconic in an era where R&B really came into its own.
The Neptunes - To call The Neptunes, a songwriter-producer duo consisting of Pharrel Williams and Chad Hugo, prolific would be an understatement. Having produced hit songs for Britney Spears, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Beyoncé and Snoop Dogg (the list goes on), they’re responsible for a staggering number of chart-topping tracks. A stand out? ‘Señorita’ from Justin Timberlake’s 2002 album, ‘Justified’.
