The National Recording Registry, a prestigious list of historic audio treasures curated and expanded annually by the Library of Congress, has added 25 new entries. The inductees span the gamut from Taylor Swift's blockbuster album '1989' and Beyoncé's anthem 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)' to mid-20th-century gems by Paul Anka, Ray Charles, and Ruth Brown. The newest additions bring the total number of recordings in the Registry to 700, all earmarked for preservation and celebration.
Each year, the Library of Congress selects recordings that are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. The Registry covers the entire history of recorded sound, but inducting works from the 21st century is rare. This year, only Swift and Beyoncé represent the post-2000 era, highlighting their enduring impact. The oldest entry in the 2026 class is Spike Jones and His City Slickers' novelty record 'Cocktails for Two' from 1944, a comedic classic that parodies popular songs with zany sound effects.
The 1990s: Reba, Rosanne, Weezer, and More
The 1990s are represented by five inductees. Reba McEntire's album 'Rumor Has It' (1990) showcases her powerful storytelling and vocal prowess, solidifying her status as a country music icon. Rosanne Cash's 'The Wheel' (1993) reflects her introspective songwriting and growth as an artist. Weezer's self-titled debut album, 'Weezer (The Blue Album)' (1994), became a cornerstone of alternative rock, with hits like 'Buddy Holly' and 'Say It Ain't So.' Vince Gill's single 'Go Rest High on That Mountain' (1994) is a poignant tribute to his late brother, and Gill has called it the song he most wants to be remembered for. The video game soundtrack for 'Doom' (1993), composed by Bobby Prince, is also inducted, recognizing its influence on gaming and digital music.
The 1980s: Go-Go's, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chaka Khan, and House Music
The 1980s bring four entries. The Go-Go's album 'Beauty and the Beat' (1981) was a groundbreaking debut by an all-female band that wrote and played their own instruments, reaching No. 1 on the charts. Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble's 'Texas Flood' (1983) revitalized blues rock with Vaughan's virtuosic guitar work. Chaka Khan's single 'I Feel For You' (1984) blended pop, R&B, and hip-hop, featuring Prince's songwriting, Stevie Wonder's harmonica, and a rap by Grandmaster Melle Mel. Jamie Principle and Frankie Knuckles' 'Your Love' (1986/1987) is a foundational track of house music, emerging from Chicago's underground club scene.
The 1970s: Feliz Navidad, Midnight Train, The Devil Went Down to Georgia, and More
Five recordings from the 1970s join the Registry. José Feliciano's 'Feliz Navidad' (1970) has become a beloved bilingual Christmas standard, spreading joy for over five decades. Gladys Knight and the Pips' 'Midnight Train to Georgia' (1973) is a soulful narrative of love and sacrifice. The Charlie Daniels Band's 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia' (1979) fuses country, bluegrass, and rock in a legendary fiddle duel. The original Broadway cast album of 'Chicago' (1975) captures the energy of the hit musical. A 1971 broadcast of 'The Fight of the Century: Ali vs. Frazier' is also preserved, marking a pivotal moment in sports and cultural history.
The 1960s: Jazz, Country, Folk Rock, and Soul
Four entries from the 1960s include Oliver Nelson's jazz album 'The Blues and the Abstract Truth' (1961), a masterpiece of orchestral jazz improvisation. Ray Charles' 'Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music' (1962) broke racial and genre barriers by blending R&B soul with country storytelling. The Byrds' single 'Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)' (1965) set biblical lyrics to folk rock, becoming an anthem for the era. The Winstons' 'Amen, Brother' (1969) features the famous 'Amen break' drum solo, which became one of the most sampled rhythms in hip-hop and electronic music.
The 1950s: Paul Anka, Mambo, Ruth Brown, and Kaye Ballard
Four singles from the 1950s are inducted. Paul Anka's 'Put Your Head On My Shoulder' (1959) is a timeless teen love ballad. Pérez Prado and His Orchestra's 'Mambo No. 5' (1950) popularized the mambo craze in the United States. Ruth Brown's 'Teardrops from My Eyes' (1950) helped define rhythm and blues and earned her the title 'Queen of R&B.' Kaye Ballard's 'Fly Me to the Moon' (originally 'In Other Words') (1954) introduced a song that would later be famously covered by Frank Sinatra and become a jazz standard.
The 1940s: Spike Jones and His City Slickers
The oldest entry, Spike Jones and His City Slickers' 'Cocktails for Two' (1944), is a comedic arrangement filled with gunshots, whistles, and bizarre sound effects. It exemplifies the novelty music genre that entertained troops and civilians during World War II.
The National Recording Registry class of 2026 reflects the breadth of American audio history, from wartime humor to 21st-century pop. Robbin Ahrold, chair of the National Recording Preservation Board, said: 'The sweep and diversity of the National Recording Registry class of 2026 beautifully captures the scope of the American experience as we celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary. From icons of R&B to a holiday favorite en Español, from a legendary sports broadcast to this generation's superstars, it is a thrilling reflection of America at its best.'
Several artists shared their reactions to the honor. Belinda Carlisle of the Go-Go's expressed pride that the band's music would be preserved for future generations. Jane Wiedlin highlighted the Go-Go's role as trailblazers for women in rock. Chaka Khan described 'I Feel for You' as a confluence of genius—Prince, Stevie Wonder, and Grandmaster Melle Mel—and called the recognition a confirmation that the recording was not just a hit but history. Vince Gill reflected on the deeply personal nature of 'Go Rest High on That Mountain,' originally written after the death of his brother. José Feliciano said his 'little carol' 'Feliz Navidad' has captured hearts year after year, and the honor from the Library of Congress is beyond anything he dreamed of.
The complete list of recordings selected for the National Recording Registry in 2026, in chronological order, includes: 'Cocktails for Two' – Spike Jones and His City Slickers (1944, single); 'Mambo No. 5' – Pérez Prado and His Orchestra (1950, single); 'Teardrops from My Eyes' – Ruth Brown (1950, single); 'Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)' – Kaye Ballard (1954, single); 'Put Your Head On My Shoulder' – Paul Anka (1959, single); 'The Blues and the Abstract Truth' – Oliver Nelson (1961, album); 'Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music' – Ray Charles (1962, album); 'Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)' – The Byrds (1965, single); 'Amen, Brother' – The Winstons (1969, single); 'Feliz Navidad' – José Feliciano (1970, single); 'The Fight of the Century: Ali vs. Frazier' (1971, broadcast); 'Midnight Train to Georgia' – Gladys Knight and the Pips (1973, single); 'Chicago' Original Cast Album (1975, album); 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia' – The Charlie Daniels Band (1979, single); 'Beauty and the Beat' – The Go-Go's (1981, album); 'Texas Flood' – Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble (1983, album); 'I Feel For You' – Chaka Khan (1984, single); 'Your Love' – Jamie Principle (1986) / Frankie Knuckles (1987, singles); 'Rumor Has It' – Reba McEntire (1990, album); 'The Wheel' – Rosanne Cash (1993, album); 'Doom Soundtrack' – Bobby Prince (1993); 'Go Rest High On That Mountain' – Vince Gill (1994, single); 'Weezer (The Blue Album)' – Weezer (1994, album); 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)' – Beyoncé (2008, single); '1989' – Taylor Swift (2014, album).
Source: Yahoo Entertainment News