Top ten American composers/songwriters

I can’t believe nobody mentioned Burt Bacharach. His contribution to the Greatest Hits far exceeded most of the names listed by others here! And Paul Williams went well beyond a bunch of the artists listed above and isn’t head of ASCAP for nothing!

Carla Bley please!

The "list" is almost entirely men.

Mildred J. Hill wrote the most popular song of all time. She should make every list yet no one knows who the is. I had to look her up!

Perhaps a split between composers/songwriters would be better?
Also different genres of music too? I could toss off many Jazz greats but not a single hip hopper, gospel, metal, or trance composers/songwriter. 

History of popular songs yes. History of composers and songwriters, a footnote.
Carol King has been suggested. Not sure why so few women composers/songwriters. Plenty of feminine involvement in classical performance. I don't think we feel threatened any longer. Would be a great thread to explore. 

The BEST one is Samuel Barber !