Greatest Songwriter of all time


I was reading the Dylan post and it got me thinking. There are many great songwriters that come to mind, my expertise/knowledge is primarily with rock music. If you could only pick three, what would they be? My vote for best lyrics goes to:

Jim Morrison
Bruce Springsteen
Elvis Costello

Best music goes to:

Mark Knopfler
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Frank Zappa
jeffloistarca
Caveat; I seem to prefer music without lyrics. The names that immediately jumped to mind, and interestingly (maybe not?) in this order:
Tom Waits
Bob Dylan
Bruce Springsteen
and maybe Jackson Browne
oh, John Fogerty could sure lay down a hook
Mind you, I don’t listen to much of the above. Well, maybe Waits and CCR.
Lots and lots of great nominees already mentioned, most of my favorites. To which I will add Holland/Dozier/Holland and Boudleaux & Felice Bryant.
Different categories but let me second:

Leonard Cohen
Warren Zevon

Billy Joel and if no one mentioned them

Steve Winwood
Cat Stevens


Joni Mitchell
Difford and Tillbrook
Bryan Ferry
Lots of others...Let me think...