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Daniel J. Levitin
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The World in Six Songs: How the Musical Brain Created Human Nature Paperback – July 28, 2009

by Daniel J. Levitin (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 227 ratings
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The author of the New York Times bestseller This Is Your Brain on Music reveals music’s role in the evolution of human culture in this thought-provoking book that “will leave you awestruck” (The New York Times).

Daniel J. Levitin's astounding debut bestseller, This Is Your Brain on Music, enthralled and delighted readers as it transformed our understanding of how music gets in our heads and stays there. Now in his second New York Times bestseller, his genius for combining science and art reveals how music shaped humanity across cultures and throughout history.

Here he identifies six fundamental song functions or types—friendship, joy, comfort, religion, knowledge, and love—then shows how each in its own way has enabled the social bonding necessary for human culture and society to evolve. He shows, in effect, how these “six songs” work in our brains to preserve the emotional history of our lives and species.

Dr. Levitin combines cutting-edge scientific research from his music cognition lab at McGill University and work in an array of related fields; his own sometimes hilarious experiences in the music business; and illuminating interviews with musicians such as Sting and David Byrne, as well as conductors, anthropologists, and evolutionary biologists. The World in Six Songs is, ultimately, a revolution in our understanding of how human nature evolved—right up to the iPod.
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  1. Print length
    384 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Dutton
  4. Publication date
    July 28, 2009
  5. Dimensions
    5.2 x 0.86 x 7.96 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0452295483
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0452295483
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A must-read...A literary, poetic, scientific, and musical treat.”—Seattle Times

“Masterful...Eminently enjoyable.”—Los Angeles Times

“Why can a song make you cry in a matter of seconds? Six Songs is the only book that explains why.”—Bobby McFerrin, ten-time Grammy Award-winning artist (“Don't Worry, Be Happy”)

“A fantastic ride.”—New Scientist

“Leading researchers in music cognition are already singing its praises.”—Evolutionary Psychology

“Exquisitely well-written and easy to read, serving up a great deal of scientific information in a gentle way for those of us who are—or just think we are—a bit science-phobic.”—Huffington Post

“Fascinating. Provides a biological explanation for why we might tap our feet or bob our heads in time with a favorite song, how singing might soothe a baby, and how music emboldens soldiers or athletes preparing for conflict.”—Associated Press

“An exemplary mix of scientist and artist, student and teacher, performer and listener.”—Library Journal (starred review)

About the Author

Daniel J. Levitin, PhD, is a neuroscientist, cognitive psychologist, and bestselling author. He is Founding Dean of Arts & Humanities at the Minerva Schools at KGI in San Francisco, and Professor Emeritus of psychology and neuroscience at McGill University. He is the author of This Is Your Brain on Music, The World in Six Songs, The Organized Mind, A Field Guide to Lies, and Successful Aging. He divides his time between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dutton (July 28, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0452295483
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0452295483
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.2 x 0.86 x 7.96 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 227 ratings

About the author

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Daniel J. Levitin

Daniel J. Levitin

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Daniel J. Levitin is Founding Dean of Minerva University in California. He is also the James McGill Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Neuroscience and Music at McGill University, Montreal. "This Is Your Brain on Music" , "The World in Six Songs", "The Organized Mind" "A Field Guide to Lies" (republished in paperback as "Weaponized Lies") and "Successful Aging" were all #1 best-sellers, and have been translated into 28 languages. Before becoming a neuroscientist, he worked as a session musician, sound engineer, and record producer, contributing to records by Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, and Blue Oyster Cult. He has published extensively in scientific journals as well as music magazines such as Grammy and Billboard. Recent musical performances include playing guitar and saxophone with Sting, Bobby McFerrin, Rosanne Cash, David Byrne, Renée Fleming, Victor Wooten, and Rodney Crowell.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
227 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book interesting and thought-provoking. They describe it as an enjoyable read with good pacing. However, some readers feel the content is thin and uninspiring, mentioning stereotypical examples of inane lyrics.

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InsightReadabilityPacingContent
20 customers mention "Insight"19 positive1 negative

Customers find the book insightful and thought-provoking. It explores the powerful role music has had in shaping humanity. They find it educational and informative, with good insights into music across cultures and the psychology of song.

"This book was one of the best I have ever read about song, the psychology of song, and the import of song in society and the development of..." Read more

"This is an enjoyable, very interesting and thought-provoking book by someone who knows music from both the commercial/industry and scientific sides...." Read more

"...Music can be so evocative. A snippet of song can take you back to the exact moment you heard it in childhood or high school or whenever...." Read more

"...It is still a thoughtful and entertaining book, but it pales in comparison to Levitin's first book." Read more

20 customers mention "Readability"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They say it's an interesting read about song psychology and one of the best books they have ever read.

"This book was one of the best I have ever read about song, the psychology of song, and the import of song in society and the development of..." Read more

"This is an enjoyable, very interesting and thought-provoking book by someone who knows music from both the commercial/industry and scientific sides...." Read more

"...he's one of my favorite authors, it was a great find.the condition of it is as you described it. I also like the packaging. thanks" Read more

"...It is still a thoughtful and entertaining book, but it pales in comparison to Levitin's first book." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They praise the author's effort and skill in weaving the stories together.

"Author does an amazing job stitching these stories together. I loved this book." Read more

"...He has a lot to tell. Mr. Levitin has made a great effort here. My wife, daughter, and sister-in-law teach music...." Read more

"This is an amazing work" Read more

4 customers mention "Content"0 positive4 negative

Customers dislike the content. They find it thin on content and uninspiring, with stereotypical examples of inane lyrics. The book is not much of a sequel, and the thoughts are described as adjectives, not nouns.

"...However, this book is thin on content and full of annoyances that most readers will catch...." Read more

"...Thoughts are effects not causes. Thoughts are adjectives not nouns...." Read more

"...Each chapter includes uninspiring song examples that seem to undermine his claim of significance...." Read more

"...Condition was like new, but not the writers best work" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • L. Perfetti
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
    Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    This book was one of the best I have ever read about song, the psychology of song, and the import of song in society and the development of civilization. The book is well-written, informative, thought-provoking and fun-to-read.

    I particularly enjoyed Daniel Levitin's use of current songs to exemplify the points he is making. I am now able to think about music, and song in particular, with an historical lens, a clearer view and a broadened perspective.

    I would also highly recommend Daniel Levitin's "This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsessession." It's another fascinating book to be savored.

    Can't wait for Daniel Levitin's next book.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Samuel Justice
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good shape.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Product in good shape.
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  • A2900
    4.0 out of 5 stars The World in Six Songs, by Daniel Levitin
    Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    This is an enjoyable, very interesting and thought-provoking book by someone who knows music from both the commercial/industry and scientific sides. Levitin advances a number of ideas, based largely on science, but which really amount to conjecture -- he doesn't posit them, but he repeats them often enough that it is clear that he really believes them. I found a number of these ideas to be plausible but not necessarily convincing. This is not a criticism, but rather to say that I have other ideas and/or am not so sure that his conjectures are right. Indeed, some of these ideas seem downright simplistic.

    More of a criticism -- though this may be a criticism of me, not Levitin -- is that he extensively makes references to contemporary popular music and musicians to give examples of what he is writing. Being raised on classical music, I found most of these examples useless.

    I haven't read it, but, from what I have heard, another of Levitin's books, "This Is Your Brain on Music," sounds like a better and more scientifically based book. I intend to read it next.
    15 people found this helpful
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  • Julie Neal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Songs in the key of life
    Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2008
    Verified Purchase
    This fascinating book explores the powerful force music has played in shaping our common humanity. It's evolution, with a backbeat. Author Levitin makes the case that six basic types of songs have existed throughout the course of human history, all over the world. Mankind, apparently, shares a soundtrack.

    The six broad categories of music are songs about friendship, joy, comfort, knowledge, religion and love. Each has a different function, but all serve to bind us together. They make us stronger as a species.

    Levitin, a musician and scientist, cites anthropologists, evolutionary biologists, neurosurgeons, psychologists, and many famous musicians in this book. He includes lyrics from a great range of songs, including "At Seventeen," "The Hokey Pokey," "I Walk the Line," "Twist and Shout," and "Log Blues" from Ren & Stimpy.

    Music can be so evocative. A snippet of song can take you back to the exact moment you heard it in childhood or high school or whenever. It's like there is a direct link that exists in the human brain between music and memory.

    This books tells us that Americans spend more money on music than they do on prescription drugs or sex, and the average American hears more than five hours of music per day. It's obviously important to us. After reading The World in Six Songs, you'll have a much better idea why.

    Here's the chapter list:

    1. Taking It from the Top or "The Hills Are Alive..."
    2. Friendship or "War (What Is It Good For)?"
    3. Joy or "Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut"
    4. Comfort or "Before There Was Prozac, There Was You"
    5. Knowledge or "I Need to Know"
    6. Religion or "People Get Ready"
    7. Love or "Bring `Em All In"
    74 people found this helpful
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  • Miguel
    5.0 out of 5 stars the product is in excellent condition
    Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    the book is autograph, and the autograph is authentic. he's one of my favorite authors, it was a great find.the condition of it is as you described it. I also like the packaging. thanks
    One person found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not much of a sequal
    Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    I loved Levitin's first book "This is Your Brain on Music". The "name-dropper" claim from some reviewers was unfair, because scientists instinctively cite every idea that was not original to them (I would know, I am one). Levitin clearly loves his new career and wants to share his enthusiasm with a wider audience.
    However, this book is thin on content and full of annoyances that most readers will catch. For example, he waxes nostalgically about the anti-Viet Nam War music and how it influenced political life in the Sixties and later. However, Levitin was still playing with toys in the Sixties! His views of the impact of music on the Viet Nam War are second-hand sentimentality.
    He also tries to comment on religion without being offensive. He suggests religion was displaced by technology and then quickly changes topic. I am sure most of his colleagues believe that, but they need to get out more.
    Most of all, you realize quickly that very few people had much input when he researched this book. He quotes Sting constantly, probably because Sting was one of the few people that agreed to be interviewed.
    I do not want to trash the book completely. His idea that music influenced brain development in Homo sapiens is original and clever. There will probably prove to be some truth to it, but clearly the cart is (at least partially) in front of the horse.
    It is still a thoughtful and entertaining book, but it pales in comparison to Levitin's first book.
    23 people found this helpful
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  • Jaimie Blackman - MoneyCapsules
    5.0 out of 5 stars Music Heaven.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Author does an amazing job stitching these stories together. I loved this book.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Misty
    5.0 out of 5 stars Who Knew? Amazing.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Amazing book - I knew there was more to "music" that what is on the radio. This will take you to a new level of comprehension.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Deirdre
    5.0 out of 5 stars Libro semplicemente meraviglioso
    Reviewed in Italy on July 10, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Concetti difficili resi accessibili ai profani. Scritto con umorismo e tanta passione.
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  • Cliente Amazon
    3.0 out of 5 stars Una experiencia personal
    Reviewed in Spain on September 18, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    El título del libro atrae y despierta interés por ver cómo se puede describir el mundo en seis canciones. La lectura del texto sin embargo, no cumple la expectativas. El autor establece una serie de parámetros que dan otro significado a la palabra mundo, diferente del que se supone por la lectura del título.
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  • Heather
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 19, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Extremely interesting read for those who have a real interest in the social and emotional origins of song. Maybe a subject which folk haven't really thought of before. Makes a good present
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    very happy with the service you provide. solid.
    Report
  • Robert Deas
    5.0 out of 5 stars condition
    Reviewed in Canada on May 9, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I have not had a chance to read yet, but would like to comment only on the condition of the book. It was in perfect condition and as I am reading the other book by same author, I am hoping that this will be as enjoyable.
    Report