What's in a Song

Scarlet Keys

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 techniques they can apply to their songwriting.

Subscribe inApple Podcasts YouTube Music

Episodes

Nov 10

Taylor Swift's "Father Figure" The break down with guest Forensic musicologist Joe Bennett

Send us a text In this episode, we break down Father Figure from Taylor Swift's record "The Life of a Showgirl". In this episode we look at: The chord progression Melodic hooks Rhetorical devices Guitar voicings The stunning bridge and what the back ground harmonies are bringing to this section to make it so spectacular Phrasing Prosody Sign up for the Master class: The songwriting secrets of Taylor Swift Nov 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1811786424969?aff=oddtdtcreator Support this podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys Join the “What’s in a Song” community: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "What if it All Goes Right: Practicing Hope in the Hardest Times" featured on NPR and the Wall Street Journal: https://www.amazon.com/What-All-Goes-Right-Practicing/dp/B0CTYVQ9Q8 Joe Bennett: To learn more about forensic musicology and professor Joe Bennett: https://joebennett.net/ Mailing list: https://www.scarletkeys.com/ Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/ Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Oct 26

Taylor Swift's Opalite - break down

Send us a text Track32 on "The Life of a Showgirl" - Opalite I'm back with Forensic Musicologist Dr. Joe Bennett In this episode we look at: The chord progression Chord tensions Harmonic rhythm Borrowed chord Rhetorical device Production Direct modulation To sign up with the virtual live master class "The Songwriting of Taylor Swift" with Scarlet Keys: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1811786424969?aff=oddtdtcreator Joe Bennett: To learn more about forensic musicology and professor Joe Bennett: https://joebennett.net/ Mailing list: https://www.scarletkeys.com/ Instagram: @scarletkeysofficial Become a member of the What's in a song songwriting community or become a supporter: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "What if it All Goes Right: Practicing Hope in the Hardest Times" featured on NPR and the Wall Street Journal: https://www.amazon.com/What-All-Goes-Right-Practicing/dp/B0CTYVQ9Q8 To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1 Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/ Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1 Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Oct 13

Taylor Swift's "Elizabeth Taylor" - The break down

Send us a text Track 2 on "The Life of a Showgirl" - Elizabeth Taylor I'm back with Forensic Musicologist Dr. Joe Bennett In this episode we look at: The chord progression Chord inversions Tensions Harmonic rhythm Phrase lengths Melisma Writing from a title Melodic hooks To sign up with the virtual live master class "The Songwriting of Taylor Swift" with Scarlet Keys: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1811786424969?aff=oddtdtcreator Mailing list: https://www.scarletkeys.com/ Instagram: @scarletkeysofficial Become a member of the What's in a song songwriting community or become a supporter: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "What if it All Goes Right: Practicing Hope in the Hardest Times" featured on NPR and the Wall Street Journal: https://www.amazon.com/What-All-Goes-Right-Practicing/dp/B0CTYVQ9Q8 To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1 To learn more about forensic musicology and professor Joe Bennett: https://joebennett.net/ Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/ Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Oct 6

Breaking down Taylor Swift's "The Fate of Ophelia" with Musicologist Joe Bennett

Send us a text This is the first of a 12 episode series where Berklee College of music professor Scarlet Keys talks about each song off of the new Taylor Swift album "The Life of a Showgirl" searching for clues and signature moves that Swift uses as a writer to write songs that resonate with millions of listeners and pack stadiums. They are listening for literary devices, chord progression, ear worm, melodic hooks and theme. Scarlet wrote the course "The songwriting of Taylor Swift" for Berklee College and Berklee online. Today she is joined by Forensic musicologist Joe Bennett. Each episode ends with a song prompt based on each song that you can try in your own writing. https://www.scarletkeys.com/ Instagram: @scarletkeysofficial Become a member of the What's in a song songwriting community or become a supporter: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "What if it All Goes Right: Practicing Hope in the Hardest Times" featured on NPR and the Wall Street Journal: https://www.amazon.com/What-All-Goes-Right-Practicing/dp/B0CTYVQ9Q8 To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1 To learn more about forensic musicology and professor Joe Bennett: https://joebennett.net/ Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/ Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Sep 16

It's never to late to become a songwriter with former Berklee College of music president Roger Brown

Send us a text About this weeks guest: Roger Brown is an American businessman, philanthropist, and academic administrator and former president of Berklee College of Music . Brown is also the co-founder of Bright Horizons and founder and chairman of the Salt Lick Incubator. He is most recently a grammy nominated songwriter!!! In this episode, Roger talks about becoming a songwriter later in life, writing the truth and retiring from Berklee and creating a company for emerging artists called The Salt Lick Incubator: https://www.saltlickincubator.org/saltlicksessions Become a member of the What's in a song songwriting community: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1 Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/ Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Aug 12

From Buzz to Bond: Queen of PR Ariel Hyatt talks about how to create real fans

Send us a text Today, Ariel Hyatt introduces the concept of the Three Communities every artist must understand: - **Ambient Fans** who are aware of you - **Engaged Fans** who pay attention and interact - **Superfans** who support, advocate, and stick with you over the long term. She talks about the power of the mailing list, gaining true fans and if you only have 10 min a day to market, how should you spend your time. To sign up for Scarlet's virtual Metaphor class: Monday Aug. 25th at 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. click here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1579585736459?aff=oddtdtcreator About this week's guest: Since the dawn of the digital music age, Ariel has helped thousands of artists across all genres and career stages navigate the confusing and ever-changing music business with greater ease and efficiency. Her passion, expertise, and intuitive guidance make her a transformative force for musicians looking to accelerate their careers. Ariel’s greatest strengths lie in making what feels overwhelming and complicated seem easy and digestible, teaching, creating artist systems, and her relentless quest for learning. Ariel’s firsthand experience with creative struggles shapes her mission to support artists. Through her work as an author, podcaster, and course creator, she provides tools to help musicians thrive. “Growing a music career has a science to it, but no one-size-fits-all map— each artist’s path is their own.” Her commitment to educating artists has taken her to over 70 conferences in 13 countries, including SXSW, MONDO, Vivid Sydney, Hubspot Ignite, and Social Media Week New York. She has also toured Canada and Australia, teaching marketing masterclasses to artists and created multiple courses for top music industry colleges and universities. She has written six books on PR, crowdfunding, and new media, including Music Success in 9 Weeks, Cyber PR for Musicians, Social Media Tuneup, Crowdstart, and The Ultimate Guide to Music Publicity. To purchase Ariel's latest book "From Buzz to Bond": https://www.amazon.com/Buzz-Bond-Chasing-Lasting-Career/dp/0989521028/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22NAE6QT3T1O9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VFTjNuRgPLUT7N3qJGCJ0A.1BV3jiuiWdEXB0NWY2LobhOEdGy27dS1qRu9Xdg1ZtE&dib_tag=se&keywords=from+buzz+to+bond+ariel+hyatt&qid=1754959570&sprefix=from+buzz+to+bond%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1 On today's show I have PR expert Ariel Hyatt: The monthly membership: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Cra Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

May 23

Imposter Syndrome (no more) with Dr. Jill Stoddard on the inner critic, the wise mind and so much more

Send us a text To sign up for the online songwriting in process class: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1376858744569?aff=oddtdtcreator On today's show I have Psychologist Dr. Jill Stoddard So much of what goes into a song is the psychology of the songwriter. Mindset is so important to the creative. Today, Dr. Stoddard talks about how to work with our inner critic, why we have it, how to focus on meaning even when your critique is loud. She talks about how important self compassion is to the creative and the wise mind. How persona can help an artist and so much more! More about Jill: https://jillstoddard.com/ To find Jill's book: https://www.amazon.com/Imposter-More-Self-Doubt-Imposterism-Successful/dp/1538724790/ref=sr_1_1?crid=QBJQVVVTQCWA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.t0gJrRrxlr7fbTqpBlq1PA6UmSg3LRmFwVPsRRiQkPNkS5rCe9HIM2zzvrZrw0gcbalD0-zlisuqEpcOscgx8cyeW7zeGdwiSJJtTO6m8AmGoKnflb9bqT2mOyuNBXxzFC2IszG9pjxX0gbcncLqaEH0J_Wz-5PlUeW7AMlW-NqbSUB7cTAngYXrv51YQ936.iml6zLsvasbi9q-BxQCaDOaeAWoajBYcHnKmTlFp71E&dib_tag=se&keywords=imposter+no+more&qid=1748007040&sprefix=imposter+no+mor%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-1 To join the weekly writing class: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys The monthly membership: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1 Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/ Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Apr 25

Writing songs for Social Change with Multi grammy winning singer/songwriter Mark Simos

Send us a text 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 topic. We give you a song prompt and this episode is woven with songwriting crafts gems. Spotify songs for social justice: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0PigbEAOxbwXOwvHFsq1vZ?si=cc729ee146d54003 To join the weekly writing class: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys The monthly membership: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1 Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/ Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

All Episodes (85)

Nov 10