Ten Favorite Rock Songwriters: Richard Thompson (#6)

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Continuing with my triple-threat lists of favorite songwriters (country, rock, and teams), here's the next rock songwriter. Thanks to @teamfreak16 for the inspiration for the series after his series of favorite male and female songwriters. Here's today's rock entry. #6: Richard Thompson Hey, didn't I just see this guy? Yes, I did. And, if I drive 250 miles for a concert you know there's something that I like. For years I was so mesmerized by Thompson's guitar playing that I overlooked his songwriting skills. One day, though, I was listening to "Shoot Out the Lights," the title track from his final duet album with former wife Linda Thompson, and said, "Wow." I started listening to the songs with a renewed appreciation for the stories in the song. Thompson's career began 50 years ago (he just turned 68), as a member of the legendary British folk-rock band Fairport Convention. From there he went on to a series of albums with Linda; then, after their divorce, a successful solo career. Believe it or not, he's had two of his songs become hits in country/bluegrass music: "Tear-Stained Letter," which was a 1988 hit for Jo-El Sonnier; and the award-winning cover of "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" by Del McCoury in 2001. I guess a lot of people don't care for Thompson's very British singing voice (he talks and sings pretty much the same way), and I'll admit that his voice is a bit on the "acquired taste" side. But dang those songs! From the humor ("now I've got a suitcase full of £50 notes and a half-naked woman with her tongue down my throat, and I feel so good I'm gonna break somebody's heart tonight" from "I Feel So Good") to the somber, detailed story songs ("I found your picture in a corporal's pocket, his cold fingers still pressed it to his chest, a sniper's bullet took his eyes and breath away" from "Woods of Darney"), Thompson's lyrics are as good as his guitar playing. And that is saying something. Richard Thompson Born: Richard John Thompson, April 3, 1949, Notting Hill Gate, London, England Order of the British Empire - 2011 Best-known songs: "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight;" "Wall of Death" (Richard & Linda Thompson); "Beeswing;" "Dad's Gonna Kill Me" (from Sons of Anarchy); "Tear-Stained Letter" (covered by Jo-El Sonnier, later covered by Patty Loveless); "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" (covered by Del McCoury). Oh, so many to pick....guess I'll go with my favorite R&L Thompson song: