In a One Day University lecture, University of Maryland professor of music Anna Celenza identified three musical masterpieces that changed America. Stating that “music does not simply reflect culture. . . it changes it,” she named “The Star Spangled Banner,” which defined American patriotism; “Strange Fruit,” which was dubbed “a declaration of war. . . the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement;” and Graceland, a 1980s pop album that changed American domestic and foreign policy.
- Star Spangled Banner -
The story of Francis Scott Key viewing the shelling of Fort McHenry by British forces in Baltimore harbor during the War of 1812 is well known. Originally titled “The Defence of Fort McHenry,” Key intended that the four verses of his poem be accompanied by a popular melody of the day, which turned out to be a waltz based on an English drinking song, “To Anacreon in Heaven,” written by John Stafford Smith. An interesting aspect is that Key was said to be tone deaf and likely had a hard time carrying a tune.
Renamed “The Star Spangled Banner” and changed to a march, it soon became a popular patriotic song. The United States Navy began playing it at official events in 1889. President Woodrow Wilson further promoted its performance in unifying the country during World War I, and after 40 attempts over the years, Congress finally designated The Stars Spangle
