Jeanette MacDonald had appeared in Hollywood musical movies throughout the 1930s and was one of the most popular American artists in the world.

[2] The album was recorded later that year between September 11 and 16 at the Hollywood Recording Studio in Los Angeles with an orchestra, conducted by Giuseppe Bamboschek.

[3] MacDonald in Song received mixed reviews: Baltimore's The Evening Sun noted the "[s]loppy diction, a shallow, edgy voice quality and a banal lack of contrast in songs of varying mood[,]" and that "The red-haired soprano's film following will probably find these records pleasantly entertaining, but the regular concert record purchaser will not.

"[4] D. S. Steinfirst ended his review with "Surprisingly enough, the Faust arias are above the average" after writing "Most of the singing is undistinguished.

"[5] However, The Evening Sun dubbed "Ave Maria" the best track,[4] which J. D. Callaghan agreed with, adding "although Miss MacDonald also is effective in two arias from the opera Faust.