SPOS #963 – Daniel Levitin On Secret Chords And The Power Of Music

Welcome to episode #963 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Daniel J. Levitin is a polymath whose career defies categorization – a neuroscientist, musician, and New York Times bestselling author, he seamlessly blends the scientific with the soulful. As a professor and researcher, his work has illuminated the deep connections between music, the brain, health, and creativity, with his insights gracing publications from Nature and Science to Rolling Stone and The Atlantic. Dan has not only revolutionized how we think about music through seminal works like This Is Your Brain On Music but also through his consultations with tech giants like Apple and Microsoft and his collaborations with legendary musicians like Joni Mitchell and Sting. In our conversation, Dan shares insights from his latest book, I Heard There Was a Secret Chord – Music As Medicine, a fascinating exploration of music’s unique ability to heal and connect us. We discussed everything from the evolutionary roots of music to its capacity to transform physical and emotional health. He explained the brain’s innate response to rhythm and melody, unpacking why music compels us to move and how it serves as one of humanity’s oldest forms of therapy. The dialogue also touched on the neuroscience of creativity, the serendipity of success in the music industry (and business), and the evolving role of music in the streaming age. His work reminds us that music isn’t just entertainment – it’s a vital force that shapes who we are and how we connect with the world. If you’ve ever wondered why a particular song brings you to tears or makes you tap your foot uncontrollably, this episode will resonate deeply. Enjoy the conversation…

• Running time: 1:08:01.
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• Here is my conversation with Daniel J. Levitin.
• I Heard There Was a Secret Chord – Music As Medicine.
• This Is Your Brain On Music.
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• This week’s music: David Usher ‘St. Lawrence River’.

Chapters:

(00:00) – Introduction to Dr. Daniel J. Levitin. (02:52) – The Connection Between Music and Movement. (06:12) – The Evolution of Music and Speech. (09:05) – The Role of Taste in Music Discovery. (11:58) – Luck vs. Skill in Music Success. (14:49) – The Complexity of Musical Originality. (18:06) – Creativity Across Cultures. (20:48) – The Evolution of Artists and Their Music. (31:09) – The Emotional Power of Music. (34:55) – The Evolution of Musical Taste. (39:42) – Songwriting and Personal Expression. (44:05) – Music as Medicine. (50:12) – The Impact of Streaming on Music Consumption. (56:45) – Lessons from Live Performance.