List of singer-songwriters
Traditional singer-songwriters
This list enumerates people who record and perform in the traditional singer-songwriter approach. These performers write their own material, accompany themselves on guitar or keyboards, usually perform solo or with limited and understated accompaniment, and are known as much or more for their songwriting skills as for their performance abilities.
- Alex Lloyd
- Cletis Carr
- Delta Goodrem
- Eric Bogle
- Lisa Miller
- Missy Higgins
- Paul Kelly
- Saritah
- Ben Lee
- Slim Dusty
- Tim Freedman
- Xavier Rudd
- Keith Urban
- Pete Murray
- Daan
- Flip Kowlier (Flip Kowlier)
- Guy Swinnen (Guy Swinnen Official Home Page)
- Jacques Brel
- Kris De Bruyne (Kris De Bruyne)
- Ozark Henry (Ozark Henry)
- Sarah Bettens (k's Choice)
- Wigbert (Wigbert van Lierde)
- Alanis Morissette
- Allison Crowe
- Amanda Marshall
- Andrew Cash
- Andy Stochansky
- Art Bergmann
- Avril Lavigne
- Bif Naked
- Bruce Cockburn
- Carole Pope
- Chantal Kreviazuk
- Dallas Green (performs as City and Colour)
- Damhnait Doyle
- Dan Hill
- Daniel Bélanger
- Emm Gryner
- Fefe Dobson
- Félix Leclerc
- Fred J. Eaglesmith
- Gordon Lightfoot
- Hank Snow
- Hawksley Workman
- Holly Cole
- Holly McNarland
- Jack Grunsky
- Jane Siberry
- Jann Arden
- Jay Semko
- Jeremy Fisher
- Jessica Owen
- Joel Gibb
- Joel Zifkin
- John K. Samson
- Joni Mitchell
- Julie Doiron
- Kate and Anna McGarrigle
- Kathleen Edwards
- Kim Stockwood
- Leonard Cohen
- Leslie Feist
- Lori Cullen
- Lorraine Segato
- Maren Ord
- Martha Wainwright
- Martina Sorbara
- Mary Margaret O'Hara
- Matthew Good
- Melanie Doane
- Melissa McClelland
- Meryn Cadell
- Michel Rivard
- Moe Berg
- Neil Young
- Nelly Furtado
- Oh Susanna
- Paul Anka
- Paul Hayden Desser
- Ron Sexsmith
- Rufus Wainwright
- Sam Roberts
- Sarah Harmer
- Sarah McLachlan
- Sarah Slean
- Sass Jordan
- Shania Twain
- Skye Sweetnam
- Stan Rogers
- Stephen Fearing
- Stompin' Tom Connors
- Susan Aglukark
- Tara MacLean
- Tegan and Sara
- Terry Jacks
- Jimmy Rankin
- Tom Cochrane
- Veda Hille
- Aude
- Charles Aznavour
- Barbara
- Michel Berger
- Bourvil
- Georges Brassens
- Jacques Dutronc
- Léo Ferré
- Claude François
- Jann Halexander
- Françoise Hardy
- Bernard Lavilliers
- Anna Marly
- Georges Moustaki
- Édith Piaf
- Alain Souchon
- Anne Sylvestre
- Charles Trenet
- Laurent Voulzy
(British citizen from 2005)
- Barbara Thalheim
- Bjoern Alberternst
- De Plattfööt
- Franz Josef Degenhardt
- Gerhard Gundermann
- Hannes Wader
- Hans-Eckhardt Wenzel
- Konstantin Wecker
- Till Lindemann
- Michael Cretu
- Pe Werner
- Reinhard Mey
- Tobias Sammet (Edguy)
- Andy White
- Annette Buckley
- Damien Dempsey
- Damien Rice
- Dawn Kenny
- Gemma Hayes
- Margaret Healy
- Mark Dignam
- Mic Christopher
- Mundy
- Paddy Casey
- Shane MacGowan
- Sinéad O'Connor
- Van Morrison
- Mark Geary
- Piero Ciampi
- Pino Daniele
- Fabrizio De André
- Francesco De Gregori
- Cristina Donà
- Francesco Guccini
- Luciano Ligabue
- Luigi Tenco
- Vasco Rossi
- Antares (a.k.a Kit Leee)
- Azmyl Yunor
- Jerome Kugan
- Mei Chern
- Meor Yusof Aziddin
- Pete Teo
- Rafique Rashid
- Reza Salleh
- Shanon Shah
- Shelley Leong
- Tan Sei Hon
- Anouk Teeuwe
- Arthur ten Cate
- Edwin van der Hoeven / Leave
- Floor Jansen
- Gerard Cornielje
- Halfhide
- Pien Feith
- Reaganesk
- Robert Westerholt
- Robin Block
- Selma Peelen
- Sharon den Adel
- Ane Brun
- Bertine Zetlitz
- Espen Lind
- Lene Marlin
- Magnet (Even Johansen)
- Maria Mena
- Marthe Heggelund
- Mocci Ryen Mocci
- Robert Post
- Silje Nergaard
- Sissel Kyrkjebø
- Sondre Lerche
- Thom Hell
- Thomas Dybdahl
- Torgunn Flaten
- William Hut
- Alexander Galich
- Alexander Gorodnitsky
- Andrei Makarevich
- Bulat Okudzhava
- Regina Spektor
- Vladimir Vysotsky
- Yuri Vizbor
- Christian Kjellvander
- Cornelis Vreeswijk
- Evert Taube
- Isabelle Arnfjell
- José González
- Kristofer Åström
- Lars Winnerbäck
- Nanne Grönvall Nanne
- Nicolai Dunger
- Povel Ramel
- Sophie Zelmani
- Tomas Andersson Wij
- Adam Leonard
- Al Stewart
- Alex Parks
- Alistair Griffin
- Anthony Newley
- Beth Orton
- Badly Drawn Boy
- Beverley Craven
- Billy Bragg
- Boo Hewerdine
- Cat Stevens
- Clifford T. Ward
- David Sneddon
- Donovan Leitch
- Ed Harcourt
- Ewan MacColl
- Gareth Davies
- Gary Barlow
- Ricky Ross
- Gary Clark
- Charlotte Gordon Cumming
- George Harrison
- George Michael
- Gerry Rafferty
- Graham Nash
- Heather Nova
- Iain Archer
- Imogen Heap
- Ivor Novello
- James Blunt
- Jem
- Jim King
- Joan Armatrading
- Johnny Marr
- Judie Tzuke
- Kelvin A.T. Tan
- KT Tunstall
- Kirsty MacColl
- Labi Siffre
- Karen Poole
- Shelly Poole
- Mal Pope
- Marianne Faithfull
- Matt Johnson
- Morrissey
- Nick Drake
- Nick Harper
- Patrick Beverley
- Pete Ham
- PJ Harvey
- Ralph McTell
- Lucie Silvas
- Tanita Tikaram
- Tim McGowan
- Tom McRae
- Tom Fox (singer-songwriter)
- Katie Melua (from 2005)
- Adam Leonard
- Amos Lee
- Anais Mitchell
- Anna Nalick
- Ani DiFranco
- Anthony Kiedis
- Ari Hest
- Arlo Guthrie
- Chris Flemmons, a.k.a. The Baptist Generals
- Barry Manilow
- Beck
- Ben Folds
- Ben Harper
- Bill Harley
- Billy Joel
- Bob Dylan
- Bob Lind
- Bonnie McKee
- Brian Wilson
- Carly Simon
- Carole King
- Carrie Newcomer
- Chan Marshall, a.k.a. Cat Power
- Catie Curtis
- Cheryl Wheeler
- Connor Oberst
- Dar Williams
- Dave Matthews
- David Ackles
- David Bazan
- David Crosby
- David Mallett
- David Paich
- David Rovics
- Dean Friedman
- Doc Pomus
- Don Henley
- Don McLean
- Don Williams
- Dory Previn
- Dory Previn
- Duncan Sheik
- Dwight Yoakam
- Eddie Rabbitt
- Elliott Smith
- Ellis Paul
- Emmylou Harris
- Fiona Apple
- Fergus McCormick
- Gene Pitney
- Gordon Gano
- Guy Clark
- Gwendolyn
- Harry Chapin
- Harry Nilsson
- Holly Brook
- Holly Near
- Jack Johnson
- Jackson Browne
- James Taylor
- Jason Mraz
- Jeff Buckley
- Jerry Jeff Walker
- Jill Sobule
- Jewel
- Jim Croce
- JJ Cale
- Jimmy Pop
- Joan Baez
- Joan Osborne
- Joanna Newsom
- John Austin
- John Denver
- John Frusciante
- John Gorka
- John Hiatt
- John Mayer
- John Prine
- John Stewart
- Joseph Arthur
- Juliet Wyers
- Karl Blau
- Karl Wallinger
- Kate Earl
- Keller Williams
- Kim Richey
- Kris Kristofferson
- Laura Nyro
- Laura Veirs
- Lefty Frizzell
- Lisa Loeb
- Livingston Taylor
- Liz Phair
- Lou Reed
- Lucy Kaplansky
- Lynsey De Paul
- Marc Cohn
- Matraca Berg
- Matt Costa
- Matt Nathanson
- Matthew Sweet
- Melanie Safka
- Michael Bowers
- Michael Sweet
- Michelle Shocked
- Mickey Newbury
- Mike Doughty
- Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn
- Neil Diamond
- Neil Young
- Norman Blake
- Patti Austin
- Patti Smith
- Patty Griffin
- Paul Simon
- Paula Cole
- Peter Alsop
- Phil Ochs
- Prince
- Ralston Bowles
- Randy Newman
- Ray LaMontagne
- Reba McEntire
- Richie Sambora
- Robbie Smith
- Robert Hunter
- Rodney Crowell
- Ryad
- Roberta Flack
- Samm Bennett
- Sananda Maitreya
- Sheryl Crow
- Sophie B. Hawkins
- Soraya
- Stephen Stills
- Stephin Merritt
- Steve Goodman
- Steve Poltz
- Stevie Wonder
- Stoll Vaughan
- Sufjan Stevens
- Suzanne Vega
- Ted Hawkins
- Todd Rundgren
- Tom Lehrer
- Tom Waits
- Tori Amos
- Townes Van Zandt
- Tracy Chapman
- Will Hoge
- Willie Nelson
- Woody Guthrie
- Wynn Stewart
- Van Morrison
Others who both write songs and sing
This list includes performers who are not singer-songwriters in the traditional sense, but who both write and perform songs in other genres. Other performers may have done some work as traditional singer-songwriters, but are best known for work in other genres.
- Alanis Morissette
- Alannah Myles
- Avril Lavigne
- Bryan Adams
- Buffy Sainte-Marie
- Carl Newman
- Chris Patrick
- Daniel Lanois
- Melissa Auf der Maur
- Robbie Robertson
- Shania Twain
- Skye Sweetnam
- k.d. lang
- Aiko
- Cocco
- Masaharu Fukuyama
- Ken Hirai
- Shigeru Izumiya
- Keisuke Kuwata
- Noriyuki Makihara
- Yumi Matsutoya
- Miyuki Nakajima
- Tamio Okuda
- Ai Otsuka
- Jun Shibata
- Mariya Takeuchi
- Yuki Saitō
- Ringo Shiina
- Shikao Suga
- Utada Hikaru
- Hamasaki Ayumi
- Hitomi Yaida
- Tatsuro Yamashita
- Takuro Yoshida
- Al Stewart
- Badly Drawn Boy
- Bill Owen
- Damon Albarn
- David Knopfler
- Elton John
- Elvis Costello
- Alison Clarkson
- MJ Hibbett
- George Michael
- Sting
- James Blunt
- jim King
- Jim Noir
- Joe Strummer
- Kate Bush
- Kim Wilde
- Matt Johnson
- Liam&Noel Gallagher
- Mick Jones
- Paul Weller
- Ray Davies
- Sugababes
- Tim Rice
- Paddy McAloon
- Thom Yorke
- Tom Fox
- Tom Vek
- Alan Jackson
- Alanis Morissette
- Alicia Keys
- Amy Grant
- Anais Mitchell
- Anna Nalick
- Ani DiFranco
- Beck
- Billie Joe Armstrong(From Green Day)
- Bob Seger
- Bonnie Raitt
- Brian Wilson
- Brooks Williams
- Bruce Springsteen
- Buck Owens
- Burt Bacharach
- Cheryl Wheeler
- Cindy Breck
- Connor Oberst
- Dar Williams
- David Byrne
- David Crosby
- David Gates
- David Wilcox
- David Paich (session musician)Toto
- Dominique McKinley
- Doug Levitt
- Fiona Apple
- Gloria Estefan
- Greg Connors
- Geoff Farina
- Hank Williams
- Helen Slater
- Jack White
- James Taylor
- Jason Mraz
- Jason Wade (from the band Lifehouse)
- Jeff Buckley
- Jeff Mangum (from Neutral Milk Hotel)
- Jessica Harp
- Jim St. James
- Jim Williams
- John Flansburgh (They Might Be Giants)
- John Fogerty (from Creedence Clearwater Revival)
- John Linnell (They Might Be Giants)
- John Mellencamp
- John Rzeznik (from the Goo Goo Dolls)
- Johnny Cash
- Jonathan Byrd
- John Gorka
- Justin Fernandes
- Ken Andrews
- Kurt Cobain
- Lauryn Hill
- Linda Perry
- Loretta Lynn
- Madonna
- Mama Cass
- Marce
- Mark Heard
- Mariah Carey
- Michael Bolton
- Michael Bowers
- Michael Jackson
- Michael Nesmith
- Mike Ness
- Michael W. Smith
- Michael Stone[1]
- Michael Sweet [2]
- Michelle Branch
- Molly Magdalain
- Natalie Illeana
- Ne-Yo
- Neko Case
- Paul Westerberg (from The Replacements)
- Peter Mulvey
- Pete Seeger
- Phil Ochs
- Pierce Pettis
- Prince
- Ray LaMontagne
- Rakim
- Ralston Bowles
- Rhett Miller
- Richard Shindell
- Rickie Lee Jones
- Rivers Cuomo
- Roger Clyne (from Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers)
- Roger Miller
- Roy Orbison
- Ryan Adams
- Ryad Covenvox
- Sean Duffy
- Sheryl Crow
- Stacey Earle
- Stevie Nicks
- Stevie Wonder
- Tom Petty
- Tori Amos
- Tracy Chapman
- Travis Meeks
- Tyler Hilton
- Willie Nelson
Singer-Songwriters by act, occupation and co-write
This section features a number of artists who are known for their work as solo artists or band members, and for their contributions to popular hit records (with example in italics)
- Gary Barlow (solo artist, band member - Take That and co-writer - Donny Osmond etc.)
- Ricky Ross (solo artist, band member - Deacon Blue and co-writer - James Blunt etc.)
- Stephen Duffy (solo artist, band member - The Lilac Time and co-writer - Robbie Williams etc.)
- Alison Clarkson (solo artist - Betty Boo, band member - Wigwam and co-writer - Hear’Say etc.)
- Charlotte Gordon Cumming (solo artist, writer Sugababes, Joy Tobing)
- Nik Kershaw (solo artist and writer - Chesney Hawkes etc.)
- Cathy Dennis (solo artist and co-writer - Kylie, Britney Spears etc.
- Paddy McAloon (solo artist, band member - Prefab Sprout and co-writer - Jimmy Nail etc.)