Iconic musicians ABBA, The Notorious B.I.G., Blondie, and the legendary Gene Autry are among the latest inductees into the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress, recognized for their contributions to America’s cultural and auditory heritage.
This year’s selections were announced by Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, who emphasized the importance of preserving these works based on their cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance. Among the new additions are ABBA’s 1976 hit album “Arrival,” featuring classics like “Dancing Queen” and “Fernando”; The Notorious B.I.G.’s seminal 1994 hip-hop album “Ready to Die”; and Blondie’s 1978 album “Parallel Lines,” which includes the chart-topping “Heart of Glass.”
Also entering the registry are Gene Autry’s 1949 holiday favorite “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Héctor Lavoe’s 1978 signature track “El Cantante,” penned by Ruben Blades, and Juan Gabriel’s heartfelt 1984 tribute “Amor Eterno,” recognized in its 1990 recorded form. The registry is also embracing a range of genres with additions like Jefferson Airplane’s “Surrealistic Pillow,” Green Day’s “Dookie,” and The Chicks’ “Wide Open Spaces.”
Unique among this year’s inductees is Lily Tomlin’s 1971 comedy album “This Is a Recording,” the sole comedy work recognized in this cycle. Additionally, historical singles such as Johnny Mathis’s “Chances Are” and Bill Withers’s “Ain’t No Sunshine” are among other noteworthy entries.
With these latest entries, the National Recording Registry now houses over 650 titles, each reflecting a vital piece of the nation’s audio history, from Mariah Carey’s modern classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You” to pioneering tracks like Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats’ “Rocket ’88’,” widely considered the first rock ‘n’ roll song.
This diverse collection not only celebrates artistic achievement but also ensures the preservation of sounds that have defined American culture across decades.
About The Author
Leave a comment