The United States’ National Recording Registry has been honoring audio recordings for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” since 2002. These recordings have ranged from important political speeches and essential versions of classic compositions to Edison-era wax cylinder recordings and pillars of popular music. The Registry’s latest class of inductees mostly comprises music from the 20th and 21st centuries. The Registry is honoring only some of this year’s artists, including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Weezer, and Chaka Khan.
From classic alternative rock and modern pop favorites to mid-20th-century jazz and R&B hits, this year’s selection of honorees seems to have a little something for everybody.
Spike Jones and His City Slickers – “Cocktails for Two” (1944)
“Cocktails for Two” laid the groundwork for endless amounts of musical comedy that came after it. An intentionally farcical take on a romantic 1934 song by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow of the same name, the Spike Jones version replaces most of the original big band instrumentation with wacky sound effects.
The potential for other comedic artists like Tom Lehrer and “Weird Al” Yankovic starts here.
Pérez Prado and His Orchestra – “Mambo No. 5” (1950)
No, not the Lou Bega song. Pérez Prado (aka “The King of Mambo”) popularized the entire mambo genre of music and, in turn, shone an international spotlight on Cuban culture and music. “Mambo No. 5” was one of his breakthrough songs and remains a genre staple.
While the aforementioned Lou Bega would overshadow Prado with a 1999 novelty hit, this original composition is essential for those looking to understand the international popularization of Cuban music.
Ruth Brown – “Teardrops from My Eyes” (1950)
An R&B classic and the first 45 RPM single released on Atlantic Records. “Teardrops from My Eyes” became a massive hit and spent a number of weeks atop the R&B chart. It cemented Brown as a genre icon and helped build one of the most influential record labels of all time.
Atlantic Records is often referred to as “The House That Ruth Built” for a reason, and this song shows why.
Kaye Ballard – “Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)” (1954)
The Frank Sinatra and Count Basie version may be more familiar to most, but this is the original. Of course, “Fly Me to the Moon” would go on to be a vocal jazz standard and arguably one of the most iconic songs of all time. That legacy begins with this classic recording.
Ballard herself would go on to find more acclaim as an actress and stage performer. Nonetheless, her performance of “Fly Me to the Moon” marks the beginning of one of popular music’s most beloved standards.
Paul Anka – “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” (1959)
One of the original teen idols, Paul Anka, helped lay the groundwork for plenty of young heartthrob pop singers to come. “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” has gained traction on TikTok in recent years and is certainly one of the most iconic pop songs of the era.
Oliver Nelson – The Blues and the Abstract Truth (1961)
The oldest full-length album to be honored this year. A classic of early 60s jazz with a lineup of legendary jazz performers such as Bill Evans, Freddie Hubbard, Eric Dolphy, and Paul Chambers.
It may not have the same cultural footprint as something like John Coltrane’s Giant Steps, but The Blues and the Abstract Truth is still a titan of its genre.
Ray Charles – Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (1962)
Ray Charles is one of the most culturally impactful artists of his generation. Songs like “Georgia On My Mind” and “What’d I Say” are classics of their era.
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music fused Charles’ R&B origins with folk and country music. The result was a groundbreaking combination of genres that had barely crossed over in the mainstream before (something especially relevant as the Civil Rights movement reached its zenith in the United States). A somewhat overdue inclusion in the National Recording Registry.
The Byrds – “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)” (1965)
Originally written by folk legend Pete Seeger, The Byrds’ adaptation of “Turn! Turn! Turn!” is an integral piece of folk rock history. The song in question helped popularize the fusion of the two genres and remains an essential part of the North American song canon.
The Byrds would go on to further fuse folk, rock, and psychedelic music on future songs. In fact, many critics consider their 1968 record Sweetheart of the Rodeo to be one of the first country-rock albums. Still, “Turn! Turn! Turn!” is an era-defining classic.
The Winstons – “Amen, Brother” (1969)
The Winstons may not be household names, but nearly everyone has heard the famous “Amen break.” The seven-second drum break is a staple in hip-hop and electronic music production. Songs like “Straight Outta Compton” by N.W.A., “Mindfields” by The Prodigy, and DJ Rashad’s “Drank, Kush, Barz” make use of the sample. As it stands, “Amen, Brother” is one of the most sampled songs of all time.
José Feliciano – “Feliz Navidad” (1970)
José Feliciano may be famous for his covers of songs like The Doors’ “Light My Fire,” but “Feliz Navidad” eclipses anything else he’s ever done. The first bilingual Christmas song and a staple for the holiday season.
“Feliz Navidad” joins songs like Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” and Gene Autry’s “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” as one of the few holiday songs that the National Recording Registry has inducted into its collection.
Gladys Knight and the Pips – “Midnight Train to Georgia” (1973)
A wistful, romantic R&B classic that tells the story of a woman who leaves behind the busy living of Los Angeles to join her partner in a journey back to a small town in Georgia. One of the most iconic soul songs of the 1970s, and an essential record on the legendary Buddah Records.
Original Cast – Chicago (1975)
Made even more famous by the 2002 film, the original 1975 cast recording is still arguably the most iconic version. The sole musical being inducted this year, it holds a unique spot in the class in turn.
There aren’t many cast recordings in the National Recording Registry, but Chicago certainly deserves it, given its cultural impact.
The Charlie Daniels Band – “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” (1979)
Even if you didn’t grow up in a place where you were exposed to country music, there’s still a good chance that you know “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” This is one of the most famous country songs ever recorded. The fact that it feels more like a folktale than a hit song only adds to its legacy.
If the bluegrass on display here isn’t your thing, maybe the metal-oriented Primus cover will interest you instead (although that one isn’t in the National Recording Registry).
The Go-Go’s – Beauty and the Beat (1981)
While women had been making rock music for decades prior to The Go-Go’s, none fused ferocity, hook-y songwriting, and commercial appeal quite like them.
In 1981, The Go-Go’s left a massive impact on the music industry. With their debut album, they became the first all-woman rock band to play their own instruments and hit #1 on the charts. Their mixture of new wave, punk, and surf rock feels timeless. To this day, The Go-Go’s are the arguable faces of women in rock throughout the early 80s.
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble – Texas Flood (1983)
Despite the 80s being heavily affiliated with synthpop, early hip-hop, and other more electronic genres, the blues saw renewed interest around the same time. Artists like George Thorogood and Robert Cray had hits that played into this genre revivalism.
Above all else, Stevie Ray Vaughan led the blues rock revival movement in the 1980s. Texas Flood is his most popular album and features some of the most acclaimed blues music of the entire decade. Although he tragically died in a helicopter crash in 1990, his legacy lives on well after his passing.
Chaka Khan – “I Feel For You” (1984)
Chaka Khan got her start in the 70s with funk band Rufus, but her solo career is where she truly started to become a household name.
Written by Prince and recorded by one of the most beloved R&B songstresses of all time, “I Feel For You” is a classic. Rapper Melle Mel (member of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five) appears on the track to deliver one of the first popular rap verses in a non-rap song. The genre crossover can be credited for allowing future R&B-rap fusion in later years.
Jamie Principle / Frankie Knuckles – “Your Love” (1986/1987)
As far as singles-first genres go, there are few examples better than Chicago house. There may not be many legendary Chicago house albums out there, but the subgenre/sound has a storied history with singles.
“Your Love” is one of the most classic songs of the Chicago house subgenre of electronic music. The original Jamie Principle track isn’t quite as well-known as the more famous Frankie Knuckles remix, but both versions are being honored this year. Must-hear tracks for any fan of house music.
Reba McEntire – Rumor Has It (1990)
Reba McEntire is one of the most iconic voices of 80s and 90s country music in the United States. Rumor Has It remains one of her most popular records decades after its release. Her take on Bobbie Gentry’s “Fancy” stands as one of country’s most popular covers.
Rumor Has It may not have the same immense, international impact as some others on this list, but it is a staple of country music in the United States.
Rosanne Cash – The Wheel (1993)
The Wheel is a record with a complicated story of romance behind it. After Cash’s (daughter of Johnny Cash) marriage to fellow country singer Rodney Crowell fell apart, she began dating music producer John Leventhal. Leventhal produced The Wheel, and much of the album is about the change in relationships. A standout in 90s country music.
Bobby Prince – “Doom” Soundtrack (1993)
One of the more left-field picks to be honored this year. The soundtrack for the original 1993 Doom was heavily inspired by both techno music and metal bands like Pantera. The result was a video game soundtrack like no other that came before it. The fusion of genres and usage of MIDI technology to create the soundtrack made it a highlight of one of the most influential games of all time.
Vince Gill – “Go Rest High On That Mountain” (1994)
The final country song was inducted into the National Recording Registry this year.
“Go Rest High On That Mountain” may be one of the most moving country songs of the 1990s. Originally written as a tribute to his older brother as well as the late Keith Whitley, this is one of Gill’s most tender tracks. Since its release, it has been used to eulogize country music legend George Jones.
Weezer – Weezer (The Blue Album) (1994)
Grunge led the first half of the 1990s with edgy, moody rock music that represented Gen X. In 1994, Weezer’s debut followed up the rise and demise of grunge’s commercial peak with an unashamedly geeky style and extremely personal songwriting. Even if some internet memes about Weezer make them seem like the butt of certain jokes, their debut is a landmark alternative rock record.
Weezer would go on to have plenty of other successful singles and albums in the future, but their 1994 debut remains a staple of alternative music.
Beyoncé – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (2008)
“Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” is practically one of the most iconic songs ever recorded at this point. With over one billion views on YouTube, everything surrounding this song is unforgettable. From the music video and simplistic beat to its multiple Grammy wins, this is a legendary song.
Most of all, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)” is perhaps the moment where Beyoncé cemented herself as one of the biggest superstars of the 21st century.
Taylor Swift – 1989 (2014)
Prior to 1989, Taylor Swift was still a singer-songwriter with more than a tinge of country-pop in her artistic DNA.
1989 is the album where Taylor went full pop. In turn, it’s also the record where she made herself the biggest pop star of her generation. 1989 is filled with nothing but chart hits and fan favorites. If you say that you’ve never heard at least half the songs off of this album, then chances are that you’re lying. A modern pop classic that elevated Taylor’s status far beyond her humble country-pop origins.
Another class of legendary artists
Once again, the United States National Recording Registry honored some legendary artists. While some of the selected records may only be familiar to residents of the United States, most of the songs/albums here have had an international impact.
No matter where your tastes lie or what generation you belong to, it seems like there’s something to be enjoyed by just about everyone here. Only time will tell if next year’s batch of honorees can match up to this diverse list of artists.
