On the Record - Music that Changed America

In On the Record: Music That Changed America, Anna Harwell Celenza uncovers the sometimes-surprising influence of music on American politics and culture. From "The Star-Spangled Banner" and Billie Holiday's haunting "Strange Fruit" to Paul Simon's Graceland and Lin-Manuel Miranda's groundbreaking Hamilton, Celenza explores moments where music wound its way through the halls of Congress, influencing decisions and reshaping culture. Each chapter highlights an iconic musical work, tracing its backstory, uncovering its connection to political debates and legislative actions, and in the process revealing it in a new light. In an engaging and insightful narrative Celenza shows how music has sparked change and left an enduring mark on American society.

About the author

Anna Harwell Celenza is a professor at Johns Hopkins University, holding a joint appointment at the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences and the Peabody Conservatory. She is also the author of eight children’s books. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

Product details

• Authors: Anna Harwell Celenza
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 24.03.2026
• EAN: 9781324004998
• ISBN: 978-1-324-00499-8
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Music > General, dictionaries; USA, Popular Culture, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Popular Culture, HISTORY / United States / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / American Government / Legislative Branch, MUSIC / Philosophy & Social Aspects, United States of America, USA, Theory of music & musicology, History of the Americas, Central / national / federal government, Central government, Theory of music and musicology