The National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress has announced its annual list of 25 recordings that will be added to its list.
After doing some research on how a song can get on this list, I went directly to the source. The National Recording Registry’s website states “Each year since 2002, the National Recording Preservation Board (NRPB) and members of the public have nominated recordings to the National Recording Registry. The depth and breadth of nominations received highlights the richness of the nations” audio legacy and underscores the importance of assuring the long-term preservation of that legacy for future generations.”
The songs that are included in this list run the gamut. From early mariachi music to the Super Marios Brothers Theme to Madonna’s “Like A Virgin,” this list could not be more random. Also, a news broadcast from 1939 makes the list as well as an audio book. It’s not just music, it’s basically all recordings. Take a look at some of the random recordings that made the list in 2022…
Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song,” “It’s a Small World” by the Disneyland Boys Choir, the recording of Hank Aaron’s 715th homerun, Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” which could be one of the greatest karaoke songs of all time, Don’t Stop Believing by Journey which is another karaoke bar classic. Two major 90’s hip hop albums made the list as well. A Tribe Called Quest’s second studio album “Low End Theory” which came out in 1991 and Wu-Tang Clan’s debut album “Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers” which came out in 1993. Then, you also have Ricky Martin’s smash-hit “Livin La Vida Loca.” I want to say that made a list of the most annoying songs ever but it’s super catchy and I will sing it everytime it comes on. That is a super random list but wait until you see the 2023 list.
Here are this year’s 25 songs that made the National Recording Registry…