Wednesday 23rd April 2014 by Andrew Trendell | Photos by WENN.com/Press/Justine Trickett

Happy Birthday, William Shakespeare - we hope you're having a good one. The man himself turns 450 today, and he doesn't half look good for his age. While we all pay our respects to The Poet Of England, The Bard of Avon and the true master of verse, drama and romance, let us remember that some of the most moving words and powerful poetry nowadays comes to us through song.

So put those books down and come with us as we take a look at some of music's finest wordsmiths - but we're not talking about the usual suspects. You won't find John Lennon, Morrissey, Ian Curtis, Richey Edwards, Tupac et al in here, we're saluting today's lyricists. Nor will you find Guy Garvey or Alex Turner - these are the underrated heroes who don't always get the credit that's due. 

From James Murphy and Matt Berninger to Earl Sweatshirt and beyond, these are the modern lyricists that make every word count - but don't always get the recognition that they deserve for it.