[tone]

I can't pretend to know about the songs from any of those artists except Ellie Goulding (who I like a lot), but if it's a female songwriter you're after, check out Carole King! Damn, she can write a tune

[tina m]

carole king is a legend ....love all those hits she wrote before her solo career ...have always loved tapestry & stuff with james taylor...awesome
kate bush was realy special aswell

[tone]

Oh yeah! I love Kate Bush! December will be magic again is one of my favourite songs

Good call, Tina

[Sing4me88]

ENOUGH OF THE MEN
I think we should take a moment to appreciate Bonnie Mckee.
(Cowrites on all Katy Perry's hits, as well as writing with/for Taio Cruz, Rita Ora, Kelly Clarkson, Ellie Goulding, Ke$ha, Britney Spears, the list goes on...)

I've always been baffled as to why Bonnie McKee who is a songwriting Goddess has always written for others. She is incredible attractive ergo n music industry parlance she is marketable and I think she has her own album coming out shortly. She has written so many hits for others that now her album is coming out I was kinda thinking 'well why didn't you keep those hits for yourself?'. My knowledge on Bonnie McKee is admittedly incredibly limited but Jess is practically stalking her so I'm hoping Jess can set me straight

[Jamie]

The first concert I went to was James Taylor who played with and was supported by Carol King at the City Hall in Glasgow when I was a kid. Sweet Bay James, In my mind I'm going to Carolina, You've got a friend, Fire and rain etc. Fantastic songs and performances. Ah memories A great live singing voice only surpassed by the diminutive purple one, Prince.
Jamie

[Jess]

I've always been baffled as to why Bonnie McKee who is a songwriting Goddess has always written for others. She is incredible attractive ergo n music industry parlance she is marketable and I think she has her own album coming out shortly. She has written so many hits for others that now her album is coming out I was kinda thinking 'well why didn't you keep those hits for yourself?'. My knowledge on Bonnie McKee is admittedly incredibly limited but Jess is practically stalking her so I'm hoping Jess can set me straight

Yes, she's such an amazing artist, her first solo album was great and she's currently releasing some more contemporary material, for her album released next year. She said she was going to keep Teenage Dream to herself, but I guess they thought Katy Perry having already 'got her big break' would sell more records.
I don't know, I just LOVE BM!

[Gallowglass]

Brian Fallon can write circles around most contemporary artists. Blue Dahlia and Wherefore Art Thou, Elvis? are too particularly good examples. Trouble is, he re-uses the same metaphors over and over and over again, and isn't that adventurous in his themes. I know he's relating his own life, but, still, a new take or extended metaphor here or there wouldn't go amiss.

As for me, I got into songwriting purely because I have a competitive streak. I see someone like Brian Fallon writing amazing lyrics and automatically want to top it. Not achieved that aim yet, but I've got a band going and hopefully I'll get to meet him personally and ask how it's done.

[digger72]

I started writing because i was starting to get loads of injuries playing cricket - seemed age had caught up with me.
Thought it would help keep the mind active - now i find i can't sleep because i have songwriting stuff rattling through my head all the time.
The added bonus is that i get to to torture my wife with my horrible wailing and loud guitars.
The real bonus is I've made some great friends through it.

[Jess]

The added bonus is that i get to to torture my wife

...no comment...