He he. Yeah. The demise of the professional songwriter came when singer-songwriters took over the scene. Now, except in Country (and don't get me started) and some Jazz (new stuff is harder to come by, though - everyone just sticks to the classics or writes their own) the only professional songwriters out there seem to be from the marketing department of your average major label (and we're down to what... Three now? Who's left?). The "hook" is there in some cases (Face it: Aguilara's "Genie in a bottle" is a hook phrase) but there just isn't any depth. Then again, shallow pop has always existed. I just find that there isn't any Motown anymore. Y'know, the songs that had some BITE!
And James, I'd agree with you if only Cohen could sing. I can't STAND his voice, and to me, there really has to be a symbiosis between melody and phrasing for it to knock me out. Then again, I'd read him ALL day long... He is quite the storyteller.
Another Beatles: All you need is love.
There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game.
It's easy.
Nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time.
It's easy.
All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.
Nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.
It's easy.
All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.
All you need is love (All together, now!)
All you need is love. (Everybody!)
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need (love is all you need).