Maxene Andrews reminisces over Andrews Sisters songs with Studs Terkel. She acknowledges the heavy influence the Boswell Sisters played in the creation of their image. She relays musical stories surrounding songs in Abbott and Costello such as "Bugle Boy" from their movie "Buck Privates". How they found the song "Mir Bist Du Schon" and Sammy Cahn and Saul Chaplin helped with the lyrics. How song pluggers brought The Andrews Sisters "Tip-Pi-Tin". How "Apple Blossom Time" helped an injured soldier at Oak Knoll Hospital upon his return to the states.

Part 1. Alec Wilder and Harry Bouras discuss Wilder's book "American popular songs", published in 1972.

Part 2. Alec Wilder and Harry Bouras discuss Wilder's book "American popular songs", published in 1972.

Part 3. Alec Wilder and Harry Bouras discuss Wilder's book "American popular songs", published in 1972.

E.Y. (Yip) Harburg talks about the challenges in writing songs for characters, specifically Og in "Finian's Rainbow". He also discusses the craftsmanship of lyric writing and reads from his book "Rhymes for the Irreverent". Music is heard throughout: "When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love" performed by David Wayne and "The Eagle and Me", performed by Dooley Wilson. Part 1 Music has been removed from this recording for copyright reasons.

E.Y. (Yip) Harburg and Studs Terkel read from the book "At This Point in Rhyme". E.Y. Harburg also discusses his thoughts on humanity, how to properly write a song, and the importance of light verse and humor as a basis for everything he creates. Excerpts of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime" by the Weavers, and a Broadway recording of "How Are Things in Glocca Morra" are played in the original airing but have been removed from this version for copyright reasons.

Don McLean discusses his career and his music. Don McLean discusses his influences, life experiences, and his songwriting.

Virtuoso violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg discusses her training, performance style and reactions to it, attracting a younger classical audience, and comments on several of her recordings.

Terkel comments and presents the music of Chanticleer, an acapella ensemble, comprised of 12 all male voices. Chanticleer discusses the following: the group vocal composition; the groups history; various recordings; and their influences. Chanticleer performs the following songs live on air: "Benedicamus Domino", "If Ye Love Me", "O Sacrum Convivium", "Nude Descending a Staircase", "When I Fall in Love", "Jesus Met the Woman at the Well", and "Magnificat a 12".

Eric Burdon discusses life, music, and musical influences.