What's in a Song

Author: 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.
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Language: en-us

Genres: Music, Music Commentary, Music Interviews

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Taylor Swift's "Father Figure" The break down with guest Forensic musicologist Joe Bennett
Sunday, 9 November, 2025

Send us a textIn 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 progressionMelodic hooksRhetorical devicesGuitar voicingsThe stunning bridge and what the back ground harmonies are bringing to this section to make it so spectacularPhrasingProsodySign up for the Master class:The songwriting secrets of Taylor Swift Nov 18th:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1811786424969?aff=oddtdtcreatorSupport this podcast:https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys Join the “What’s in a Song” community: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keysScarlet'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/B0CTYVQ9Q8Joe 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-vxD4wnYGTn3JwScarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.comScarlet'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