Don't go thinking that the sun goes after the clouds. Instead, the clouds come drifting along and obscure the sun.--Ajaan Mun
I've done a fearless and searching inventory and I've decided to list my most influential songwriters....I'm too tired for commentary, maybe I'll get back to it.
In no particular order:
Robyn HitchcockElton JohnPaul SimonScott MillerChrissie HyndeJoe StrummerElvis CostelloSam PhillipsFreedy JohnstonMartin Phillipps (The Chills)Paul WesterburgKristin HershStuart MoxhamDifford/TillbrookBlack Francis/Frank BlackMarc BolanDavid BowiePeter GabrielAnd soooo many more in the "honorable mention" category.