Nail Soup Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 I recently saw Black Sabbath doc which said (I think it's well known) that whilst Iommi wrote most of the riffs for Sabbath, Geezer Butler wrote the majority of the words. I think that bassist Bob Daisley wrote the lyrics for the Ozzy albums he was on too. So are there any other notable cases where the bassist (or drummer, guitartist) etc. writes the lyrics for a band, but they are not the singer or the music writer? ( so not Phil Lynott - he was the singer, not Nikki Sixx - he wrote the tumes too) A couple of non-bassists spring to mind........ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickD Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 Neil Peart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeystrange Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 (edited) I believe Nicky Wire writes the Manics’ lyrics (the ones that aren’t Richey’s) while JDB writes the music. Edited July 15, 2020 by joeystrange Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nail Soup Posted July 15, 2020 Author Share Posted July 15, 2020 2 minutes ago, joeystrange said: I believe Nicky Wire writes the Manics’ lyrics (that aren’t Richey’s) and JDB writes the music. Yes, forgot that one! I think Nicky and Ritchie originally wrote the lyrics together, plus the band manifesto(!) etc. Due to the well known sad circumstances Nicky does it alone now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nail Soup Posted July 15, 2020 Author Share Posted July 15, 2020 47 minutes ago, NickD said: Neil Peart! Yeah, I reckon Neil Part has to be the classic example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strawbs664 Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 Anthrax spring to mind. Scott Ian (rhythm guitar) writes the lyrics while Charlie Benante (drums) writes riffs & music I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rexel Matador Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 Less than Jake. The guitarist and bassist share lead vocals but the drummer writes the lyrics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue I believe did a lot of the lyrics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 Doubt this counts, but hey ho... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 Some bands have included lyricists who didn't actually perform, eg Procol Harum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nail Soup Posted July 15, 2020 Author Share Posted July 15, 2020 1 hour ago, KevB said: Some bands have included lyricists who didn't actually perform, eg Procol Harum. I think some ofStiff Little Fingers early lyrics were written by the manager - Gordon Ogilvie if I remember correctly. I think he had a background in journalism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 Jack Bruce??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 1 hour ago, TheGreek said: Jack Bruce??? Pete Brown wrote a lot of Cream's lyrics, certainly on the later albums. I think Steve Harris writes a lot of Maiden's lyrics, or have I made that up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 13 minutes ago, TheRev said: Pete Brown wrote a lot of Cream's lyrics, certainly on the later albums. I think Steve Harris writes a lot of Maiden's lyrics, or have I made that up? No, I think you’re right about the latter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zummerbass Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 John Deacon wrote a good tune or two, never sang a note. Jim Lea? Or did Noddy write all the lyrics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SH73 Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 22 minutes ago, TheRev said: . I think Steve Harris writes a lot of Maiden's lyrics, or have I made that up? You're correct and most songs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 1 hour ago, TheGreek said: Jack Bruce??? He sang almost all Creams songs. I think Willie Dixon wrote a load but didn’t sing, just thwacked the upright! Kyle Eastwood writes tons of tunes but the main instruments playing are his brass players and pianist, but perhaps jazz doesn’t really count as there’s generally no lyrics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nail Soup Posted July 18, 2020 Author Share Posted July 18, 2020 A classic example is Squeeze. Glen Tilbrook writes the tunes and sings and plays lead guitar. Chris Difford writes the lyrics and plays rhythm guitar (he sang Cool For Cats... I guess that one suited his voice). I heard an interview with Chis, and he told how the Squeeze (and their songwriting partnership) began. They met through an advert, and each bought a bunch of songs to the meeting. By the end of the session they realised that one guy's songs had great lyrics, and the others had great tunes. ....and the rest is history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Riva Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 (edited) On 15/07/2020 at 13:04, Nail Soup said: A couple of non-bassists spring to mind........ Pete Townsend would be a good example. Roger Daltrey has done a superb job of making Townsend’s lyrics his own. With regards to Bob Dailey, it’s appalling how he was treated by the Osbournes... Edited July 18, 2020 by Old Man Riva Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nail Soup Posted July 18, 2020 Author Share Posted July 18, 2020 25 minutes ago, Old Man Riva said: With regards to Bob Dailey, it’s appalling how he was treated by the Osbournes... Oh, I've not heard about that........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Riva Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 This is Bob Daisley’s version of events... apologies if this has derailed the thread, not my intention! https://bobdaisley.com/interview/website 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 Pretty sure Roger Glover contributed to Deep Purple lyrics. Hard to tell what as the band seemed quite democratic in their songwriting credits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 Me? 😂 I write half our band’s material (music and lyrics) but, with the exception of one song, only sing backing. I’ll get me coat.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 1 hour ago, Mykesbass said: Pretty sure Roger Glover contributed to Deep Purple lyrics. Hard to tell what as the band seemed quite democratic in their songwriting credits. Stretching the memory muscles a bit, but I think he wrote the lyrics for Graham Bonnet-era Rainbow, when he was in the line-up. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 1 hour ago, Bassassin said: Stretching the memory muscles a bit, but I think he wrote the lyrics for Graham Bonnet-era Rainbow, when he was in the line-up. And of course, wrote this with Dio taking the vocals: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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