Final answer:
James Taylor and Carole King were two prevalent singer-songwriters from the 1970s, known for their introspective music and significant contributions to the genre, with an emphasis on personal and poetic lyrics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Two prevalent singer-songwriters from the 1970s were James Taylor and Carole King. James Taylor rose to fame with his introspective and emotionally resonant songs, often expressing personal experiences and the moods of the era. Carole King gained acclaim with her deeply personal, evocative lyrics and melodies, exemplified by her landmark album Tapestry, which became a defining work of the singer-songwriter genre.
Contributions by artists like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen exemplify the broader movement of the time, which saw an increased focus on the lyrical aspect of music, blending rock productions with strong poetic expression in a way that made them predecessors to artists like Taylor and King.