This short opens with Judy Garland singing, and dancing to, the title song. A short history of movie music is presented, from silent films accompanied by a single piano, to the elaborate song scores for musicals (with scenes from MGM's musicals) and background music for dramas. Conductor/composer Herbert Stothart conducts the MGM studio orchestra recording the score for The Chocolate Soldier (1941). Busby Berkeley directs a rehearsal of the "Hoedown" number from Babes on Broadway (1941). The film ends with Risë Stevens singing "America the Beautiful."