Music in the Halls of Congress

In this episode of All of It, host Alison Stewart explores the profound political and cultural impact of music in American history through a conversation with professor and musicologist Anna Harwell Cilenza, author of On the Record: Music That Changed America. The discussion traces how songs like The Star-Spangled Banner, Lift Every Voice and Sing, Strange Fruit, and Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On have shaped national identity, influenced legislation, and served as tools of protest and diplomacy. Cilenza reveals the complex histories behind these pieces—such as the political tensions surrounding the anthem’s adoption, the copyright struggles that limited the reach of Black spirituals, and the U.S. State Department’s use of jazz as a Cold War diplomatic weapon. She also examines how musical theater like West Side Story and Hamilton entered the political sphere, influencing policy debates and public consciousness. The episode underscores music’s power not just as art, but as a catalyst for social change and national reflection. Key takeaways include: 1) Music can serve as a unifying national ritual, as seen with the Star-Spangled Banner’s rise during the Great Depression; 2) Copyright and commercial interests have historically suppressed politically powerful songs, like Lift Every Voice and Sing; 3) Protest music like Strange Fruit and What’s Going On has influenced legislation and public awareness, even when Congress initially ignores it; 4) Jazz was strategically used by the U.S. government as a symbol of democracy abroad during the Cold War; 5) Musical theater can shape political discourse, as West Side Story prompted JFK to address juvenile delinquency; 6) The legacy of music is deeply intertwined with race, power, and representation; 7) Even songs with controversial portrayals, like West Side Story’s depiction of Puerto Ricans, can spark national conversation; 8) The enduring power of music lies in its ability to evoke empathy, memory, and collective action.