Bob Dylan, originally known as a folk singer before expanding into other genres, released his first album in 1962 and continues to influence singer/songwriters to this day. Dylan has been recognized as the greatest living songwriter by Paste Magazine and NPR, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, and received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 1991. In 1997, Bob Dylan was honored at the Kennedy Center for his "significant and lasting contributions to the performing arts." Dylan won an Academy Award in 2001 for writing and performing "Things Have Changed" for the motion picture "Wonder Boys." In 2008, Dylan became the first rock and roll musician in history to win a Pulitzer Prize.
Audiences, for better or for worse, may assume the performer is also the writer of her material, but this is not always the case. Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg may not be household names, but together they have co-written some of the most acclaimed songs in modern history, including Madonna's "Like A Virgin," and The Bangles "Eternal Flame." Both Tom and Billy were recently inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Over the course of their 20-plus-year career, they have written songs for such legendary artists as Roy Orbison, Rod Stewart, and Tina Turner.
Paul McCartney has the honor of writing the two most "covered" songs of all time: "Yesterday" and "Eleanor Rigby." Both Aretha Franklin and Joan Baez have recorded versions of "Eleanor Rigby," while covers of "Yesterday" have been recorded by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Boyz II Men. The tune for "Yesterday" came to Paul McCartney in a dream. The following morning he sat down at his piano and improvised lyrics for the tune: "Scrambled eggs, oh my baby, how I love your legs." Those lyrics did not make the final cut, but the song, in its final version, has become the most recorded song in history according to The Guinness Book of World Records.
Sir Elton John recorded "Candle In The Wind" in 1973, for which he wrote the music. Bernie Taupin, Elton's songwriting partner, wrote the lyrics as a dedication to Marilyn Monroe, who passed away in 1962. Elton John later dedicated the song to Ryan White, an AIDS patient who passed away at the age of 18. He then re-dedicated the song to the late Princess Diana in 1997 -- changing the opening lyric in her honor -- and that version has gone on to be the highest-selling single of all time. If sales are an indication of songwriting talent, Bernie Taupin and Elton John cannot be ignored. The duo also co-wrote "Your Song", "Tiny Dancer", "Crocodile Rock", "Bennie and the Jets."