"Music is more than art--its a force of change. In On The Record: Music that Changed America, Anna Harwell Celenza brings to life the pivotal moments where American music collided with politics to spark debate, empower communities, and redefine culture. Hundreds of musical compositions and popular songs have been written in response to American politics, but only a few dozen works have actually instigated change in Congress. On the Record focuses on a range of influential works like Billie Holidays "Strange Fruit," Aaron Coplands Appalachian Spring, Lin-Manuel Mirandas Hamilton, and Kendrick Lamars "Damn": works that altered the way politicians think about the world around them; music that influenced important changes in domestic and foreign policy; compositions that left an indelible mark on American culture. Each chapter focuses on a single work, tracing the backstory of the music and the often surprising connections to Congressional action. Provocative and inspiring, its a must-read for those who believe in the transformative power of song"-- Provided by publisher.