Wow, this list is going to take a long time. This is the thought that is running through my head at 12:26 a.m. Well, luckily, many of you will have the enjoyment of waking up in the morning and being greeted by the #98th greatest lyricist of all time. And, yet again, we have a relatively new and young lyricist to profile. I believe it is great that there are still some great young lyricists out there. Yes, music may have become repetitive and pretty much unimpressive since, let us say 1976, but there are still some musicians out there that know what they are doing…if you dig deep enough. Lyrics are poetry though and great writers are always around. So, at #98 I finally agree with Digitaldreamdoor, but only because of one song and I will explain to you why.
Digitaldreamdoor’s #98: Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie)
My Pick #98: Ben Gibbard
Ben Gibbard, from Washington (like, as it seems, all great musicians), has fronted four bands, including his most popular project Death Cab for Cutie. His lyrics generally revolve around tired themes like love and relationships, but, with his huge solo acoustic hit “I Will Follow You Into The Dark,” the lyrics are oddly touching and simple making any aspiring lyricist, like myself at one point, wondering why they could not come up with something like that themselves. What I find especially impressive about the lyrics is the subtle, but beautiful, metaphors. Think of the topic of love. From shall I compare thee to a summer’s day to I love you like a fat kid loves cake, every single love comparison has seemingly been made. It would seem that no love lyric can be written that has not been written before. Sort of like the classical music conflict. You know, all music has been done before (like over 300 years ago). But, Gibbard obviously disagrees and proves you wrong. Let’s check out a particularly revealing part of the song, the chorus.
“If heaven and hell decide
That they both are satisfied
And illuminate the “No”s
On their vacancy signs
If there’s no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I’ll follow you into the dark”
The song is a touching promise from the singer saying he will be by his loves side in death and beyond death. He explains, in a fantastic metaphor, if Heaven and Hell both illuminate NO on their hotel vacancy signs it does not matter where your soul embarks I will be there and will follow you into the unknown. Quite an interesting way to describe the after life. I thought that this was called purgatory but whatever. Having one great song generally cannot propel you into a spot among the top lyricists of all time but this one is just a perfect masterpiece. Kind of like an “American Pie” by Don McLean. His other stuff is okay. “Vincent,” for example is a relaxed tune, but nothing matches “American Pie.” Don McLean will be on this list, maybe sooner then you expect, so, there is no reason why Gibbard, who like McLean has other not as good hits, should be left out. Oh, and by the way, today is his 33rd birthday. So, happy birthday Ben Gibbard and congrats on being named the #98 best lyricist of all time.
The Music Court 
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