It lists classical composers from Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) to John Adams (b. 1947) with short descriptions of the type of music they composed and suggestions for which of their pieces best represent their work. Additionally, the book lists popular songs from 1866 ("Come Back to Erin" by Claribel, aka Charlotte Barnard) to 1954 ("Young at Heart" by Leigh and Richards, made popular by Frank Sinatra). Lists of composers and popular songs are arranged chronologically to make it easy to compare different music in the same time periods. Complete alphabetical indexes also make it easy to find specific composers and songs.

The author, Bill Raoul, also provides a wealth of information about the elements of sound design, the history of recording music, glossaries of vocal and instrumental music and dance music, profiles of big band leaders and "belters," and much more.