Includes bibliographical references (p. 291-329) and index

Taking it from the top, or, "The hills are alive--" -- Friendship, or, "War (What is it good for)?" -- Joy, or, "Sometimes you feel like a nut" -- Comfort, or, "Before there was Prozac, there was you" -- Knowledge, or, "I need to know" -- Religion, or, "People get ready" -- Love, or, "Bring 'em all in."

The author of This Is Your Brain on Music showcases his theory of how the brain evolved to play and listen to music in six fundamental forms--for knowledge, friendship, religion, joy, comfort, and love. Preserving the emotional history of our lives and of our species, from its very beginning music was also allied to dance, as the structure of the brain confirms; developing this neurological observation, Levitin shows how music and dance enabled the social bonding and friendship necessary for human culture and society to evolve. Blending scientific findings with his own experiences as a musician and music-industry professional, Levitin also incorporates wisdom gleaned from interviews with icons ranging from Sting and Paul Simon to Joni Mitchell, and David Byrne, along with classical musicians and conductors, historians, anthropologists, and evolutionary biologists.--From publisher description