On the Record

The surprising story of how iconic works of music sparked debate and action in the halls of Congress.

From "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Lift Every Voice and Sing" to Rhapsody in Blue and Hamilton, the story of America is written not only in its laws and speeches but also in its music. In On the Record: Music That Changed America, award-winning scholar and storyteller Anna Harwell Celenza reveals how certain songs and compositions didn’t just mirror history—they made it.

Across two centuries of American life, Celenza traces the extraordinary moments when music moved Congress, challenged power, and united people around shared ideals. Billie Holiday’s haunting performance of "Strange Fruit" brought the horror of racial violence into public view. Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring offered hope in an age of fear and suspicion. Nina Simone’s "Mississippi Goddam" gave voice to a new generation demanding justice, while Paul Simon’s Graceland reshaped global diplomacy.

Through vivid storytelling and rich historical insight, On the Record reveals how the interplay between art and politics has defined the American experiment. Each chapter connects a groundbreaking musical work to the social and legislative changes it inspired—from civil rights to women’s liberation; environmental protection to digital freedom.

This is not just a history of music—it’s a history of America heard through the songs and compositions that changed its course. Provocative, moving, and deeply original, On the Record reminds us that music doesn’t just reflect who we are. It helps us decide who we want to be.