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Artwork for What's in a Song

What's in a Song

Scarlet Keys
Songwriting
Taylor Swift
Collaboration
Berklee College Of Music
Music Production
Metaphor Writing
Ukulele
Acting
Music As Medicine
Hawaii
Music Business
Stuart Roslyn
The House That Built Me
Creativity
Melody Writing
Texas Country Music
Music Industry
Songwriting Techniques
Gratitude
Miranda Lambert

This is a weekly podcast about the craft of songwriting hosted by Berklee College of Music Professor Scarlet Keys. She takes deep dive into the craft, technique and art of songwriting in conversations with eminent songwriters, producers, and other creatives asking questions only a songwriting professor would ask so listeners can walk away inspired and armed with clear and actionable tools and tech... more

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Artwork for What's in a Song

Latest Episodes

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In this episode, Mark Simos takes us through writing songs for social change, political protest, songs for that evoke empathy and songs of conscience.

We talk metaphor, point of view and the most effective way to handle this delicate... more

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Upcoming classes:

To sign up for the April 5th workshop: "The songwriting of Taylor Swift":

 

www.eventbrite.com/e/1252499231919?aff=oddtdtcreator

To support this podcast and membership:

buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.key... more

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In this episode, I speak with Neuroscientist, author and musician Dr. Daniel Levitin on how music affects our health.  From reducing cortisol to lessening the effects of Parkinsons and how we can use music as medicine!  We talk scienc... more

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To sign up for the November 23rd virtual LYRIC WRITING WORKSHOP: 

www.eventbrite.com/e/1070697919299?aff=oddtdtcreatorhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/1080037885389?aff=oddtdtcreator

My guest today is New England based singer/so... more

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Recent Guests

Mark Simos
Multi-Grammy winning singer-songwriter and professor
Berklee College of Music
Episode: Writing songs for Social Change with Multi grammy winning singer/songwriter Mark Simos
Rodney Alejandro
Grammy-nominated artist, songwriter, and producer, Dean of Songwriting at Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Episode: Creative agility and writing process with hit songwriting Rodney Alejandro
Dr. Daniel Levitin
Polymath, cognitive psychologist, neuroscientist, writer, musician, and record producer.
Episode: Music as medicine- The health benefits of listening to your favorite songs with Neuroscientist Dr. Daniel Levitin
Kylie Rothfield
Singer-songwriter with strong influences of soul, blues, and pop.
DVG Records
Episode: Kylie Rothfield on writing process, craft, what she learned from Alicia Keys about singing and stage fright
Michael McDermott
Chicago-based singer-songwriter with two upcoming albums.
Episode: Songs with a message, writing from your life with Michael McDermott
Ben Camp
Berklee Professor and award-winning songwriter
Berklee College of Music
Episode: What does AI mean for songwriters with award winning songwriter and Berklee Professor Ben Camp
Madi Diaz
Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Episode: Madi Diaz on writing process, and the magic of co-writing
Robert Ellis Orrall
Singer, songwriter, producer, record company owner
Episode: Robert Ellis Orrall on writing with Taylor Swift, and writing process
Will Kimbrough
American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer
Episode: Will Kimbrough: Writing techniques, guitar voicings and so much wisdom

Host

Scarlet Keys
Host and Professor at Berklee College of Music. Expert in the craft of songwriting, engaging in meaningful conversations about music and creativity.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 138 ratings
  • Best songcraft podcast out there!

    Wish I would have found Scarlett’s show sooner!

    Hands down the best craft focused songwriting podcast out there.

    Each episode has craft discussions.

    Most podcasts bringing songwriters on will go over life stories and talk about key markers in careers and/or a famous song(s)/hits, making it etc. but these shows pitched “for songwriters” routinely LACK discussions of craft.

    Love that Scarlett’s guests come on ready to talk about some aspect of writing that is either a great reminder of or ev... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DJ James M
    United States8 days ago
  • Inspired and accessible

    I’m kind of a picky listener when it comes to podcasts but this one is top notch. I am an artist, musician and a geek about listening to anything having to do with the creative process. Scarlet’s conversations with her guests are down to earth and inspiring and I hope this podcast is around for a long long time. (My phone erased a star last time so I’m hoping this fixes it! Five stars!)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    eart&music
    United States2 years ago
  • This will help you on your journey :)

    Excellent podcast beautifully presented by the wonderful Scarlet Keys. There are so many gems in these episodes that even as an electronic dance music producer and film composer I’m able to take away something from country music to Taylor Swift, and add it to the toolbox in my mind. Nothing great is easy, and as artists we need every bit of help in order to fully express ourselves and create something of value for everyone to enjoy. Thank you Scarlet! Rahi @rahimalikdj

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rahi Malik
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Excellent Songwriting Interviews

    Scarlet is an excellent interviewer...insightful, encouraging, and adept. She features a wide range of songwriters, producers, et al. in this podcast who share their experiences and techniques. The podcast is both entertaining for the casual listener and useful for aspiring and accomplished songwriters alike.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Little Davey & The Rolling 88s
    United States2 years ago
  • Great podcast!

    Scarlet has so many talented songwriter friends/guests. She and her guests share practical tools and inspiration for songwriting from every angle. She’s a great teacher, interviewer and songwriter, and this podcast is the best. My highest recommendation!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Middle Walter
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There is a strong appreciation for the diverse range of guests and the wealth of knowledge shared, attracting a broad audience from various walks of life. The podcast is seen as a resourceful tool for both learning and personal growth in songwriting.
Listeners find the content inspiring and practical, often describing the host as a skilled interviewer who provides valuable insights.
The discussions are generally regarded as accessible and applicable, making it a top recommendation for aspiring songwriters.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Writing songs for Social Change with Multi grammy winning singer/songwriter Mark Simos
Q: How is metaphor helpful when writing a song for Social Change?
Metaphor allows listeners to approach difficult truths in a more tolerable way, enabling them to understand uncomfortable realities through artistic expression.
Writing songs for Social Change with Multi grammy winning singer/songwriter Mark Simos
Q: What is the difference between a protest song and a song for social change?
Protest songs are a specific genre often characterized by a clear, right-and-wrong message, while songs for social change encompass a broader range of tones and intentions, including storytelling and humor.
Creative agility and writing process with hit songwriting Rodney Alejandro
Q: What is your best advice for dealing with writer's block?
He suggests never giving up and emphasizes the need for constant input from experiences and the world around you to maintain output in songwriting.
Creative agility and writing process with hit songwriting Rodney Alejandro
Q: What is your superpower as a songwriter?
Rodney believes his superpower is having a good ear for melody and experimenting with song structures.
Creative agility and writing process with hit songwriting Rodney Alejandro
Q: What brought you to music?
Rodney explained that it was sheer audacity and a realization in his teens that music could be a career for him.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About What's in a Song

What is What's in a Song about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on the intricate craft of songwriting, discussions center around the experiences, techniques, and insights of various songwriters, producers, and industry professionals. Listeners can expect thoughtful conversations that provide not only inspiration but also practical tools and methodologies applicable to their own songwriting journeys. The program distinguishes itself with a unique educational angle, as the host engages guests with questions that challenge the typical narratives found in music conversations, aiming to deepen the understanding of songwriting as both an art form and a technical skill.

Where can I find podcast stats for What's in a Song?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for What's in a Song. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to What's in a Song and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does What's in a Song get?

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What are the audience demographics for What's in a Song?

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How many subscribers and views does What's in a Song have?

To see how many followers or subscribers What's in a Song has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to What's in a Song?

These podcasts share a similar audience with What's in a Song:

1. Strong Songs
2. Sodajerker On Songwriting
3. On Being with Krista Tippett
4. Song Exploder
5. The New Yorker Radio Hour

How many episodes of What's in a Song are there?

What's in a Song launched 4 years ago and published 78 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact What's in a Song?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for What's in a Song?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for What's in a Song from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for What's in a Song?

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What guests have appeared on What's in a Song?

Recent guests on What's in a Song include:

1. Mark Simos
2. Rodney Alejandro
3. Dr. Daniel Levitin
4. Kylie Rothfield
5. Michael McDermott
6. Ben Camp
7. Madi Diaz
8. Robert Ellis Orrall

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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