Who do you think was a better songwriter? Jim Morrison or Robert Plant?

Question

Don't just tell me, show me, explain to me why you think one over the other.

To me, they are close. Very close, within 1/4 of point. But I had to put Jim Morrison on top. It is hard to explain. Jim Morrison just has that very poetic way with his words, while Robert Plant can seem to go on and on about nothing (like Kashmir- great song, but I find little meaning in it), though most of his songs are great.

Answer 1

I would pick Morrison, the poet in exile. His lyrics were completely original and spoke to a generation yearning for changes in society during the 60's. He was adored by his followers and feared by the establishment.

Answer 2

Robert Plant - Think about Stairway to Heaven or Immigrant Song etc etc, he uses passion in his music. Or outside of Zepp, the song Heaven Knows by Robert Plant is a great song, listen to the words or read the lyrics and you will see what I mean. It touches you.

Answer 3

You simply can't write some of the stuff Plant sings. He is much better singer, but you didn't ask that question.

Morrison is applying poetry and philosophy to lyrics in a constant attraction to duality and metaphor.

You bring up "The End" which has such powerful lyrics as:

- Lost in a Roman wilderness of pain

And all the children are insane

This allusion to ancient worlds sets up the climatic stanza of the song incredibly well. The part of the song that takes the Oedipal narrative and lays it down as blunt and bold as possible. The famous lyrics that begin:

- The killer awoke before dawn, he put his boots on

Zeppelin (and Plant) is primarily based in the blues and hippy-folk rock scene. The Doors (and Morrison) covered that but also dabbled in a form of rock music that I hesitate to put a label on, as I don't think of other bands who had the gusto, the wherewith-all to tackle what JM was reaching for and finding.

One of my all time favorite Doors songs is "When The Music's Over" and again there are lyrics there that I don't see bands prior to the Doors touching. Perhaps some punk bands went there (later), but not before. Lyrics such as:

- Cancel my subscription to the Resurrection

Send my credentials to the house of detention

I got some friends inside

< and >

- What have they done to the Earth?

What have they done to our fair sister?

Ravaged and plundered and ripped her and bit her

Stuck her with knives in the side of the dawn

And tied her with fences

And dragged her down

So, yeah, I think Morrison is the better, more intelligent lyricist.

But Zeppelin is, without a doubt, my favorite music group.