Why do you like your favorite songs? | Scarlet Keys | TEDxPortsmouth

What’s in a song? What’s in those 3 ½ minutes of arranged sound that have such an impact? In this entertaining, insightful talk, award-winning songwriter Scarlet Keys ruins an Adele song, explores the neuroscience behind music theory, and shows you how the right playlist can help you live a happier life, deal with your in-laws and even get your partner to pick up their socks! Scarlet Keys is a professor at Berklee College of Music and a former staff songwriter for Warner Chappell. Scarlet’s songs have been heard on film and TV and garnered her a gold record. She has collaborated with recording artists such as Chris Stapleton, Eric Roberson, Melissa Ferrick, and local artist Sam Robbins. Some of her former students include Lizzy McAlpine, Charlie Puth, Amy Allen, Ingrid Andress, and Betty Who. Scarlet is the host of the What’s in a Song podcast and the author of The Craft of Songwriting: Music, Meaning and Emotion, but most notably, she is a world-class parallel parker. Her most recent book as a response to her breast cancer journey, “What if it All Goes Right: Practicing Hope in the Hardest Times.“ It is available for pre-order. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at