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Library of Congress Adds Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and More to National Recording Registry
LOS ANGELES – The Library of Congress has announced the latest additions to its National Recording Registry, honoring 25 recordings that have played a significant role in America’s cultural and musical heritage. Among the newly inducted are iconic works from Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Chaka Khan, and The Go-Go’s.
Taylor Swift’s 2014 album 1989 joins the registry, marking her first inclusion alongside Beyoncé’s 2008 anthem “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).” The selections also highlight Chaka Khan’s genre-defining hit “I Feel for You,” Vince Gill’s heartfelt ballad “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” and The Go-Go’s influential debut album Beauty and the Beat.
Acting Librarian of Congress Robert Newlen emphasized the importance of preserving these recordings, stating, “Music and recorded sound are essential, wonderful parts of our daily lives and our national heritage. The National Recording Registry works to preserve our national playlist for generations to come.”
Other noteworthy additions to the registry include Ray Charles’ groundbreaking Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, Reba McEntire’s Rumor Has It, Rosanne Cash’s The Wheel, and Weezer’s debut self-titled album, popularly known as The Blue Album. Classic singles from Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Byrds, José Feliciano, and Paul Anka also earned recognition.
Expanding beyond traditional music, the registry included the soundtrack of the influential 1993 video game Doom and the historic radio broadcast of the 1971 heavyweight boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, known as “The Fight of the Century.”
The oldest recording this year is Spike Jones and His City Slickers’ 1944 single “Cocktails for Two,” while Swift’s 1989 is the most recent addition. This marks the first time recordings by both Swift and Beyoncé have been selected for the registry, which received over 3,000 public nominations.
These new inductees underscore the rich tapestry of sounds that have shaped the American experience and reflect the evolving landscape of recorded music.