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The Latest Batch of Song Recordings to be Preserved Forever and Ever by the US Government

Every year, the U.S. Library of Congress–the biggest library of any kind in the world–announces a list of recordings to be inducted into the National Recording Registry. Here’s the latest to make the cut. (Note the inclusion of The Doors, Radiohead and, er, Steve Martin).

1. Vernacular Wax Cylinder Recordings at University of California, Santa Barbara Library (c.1890-1910)

2. The Benjamin Ives Gilman Collection, recorded at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition at Chicago (1893)

3. “The Boys of the Lough”/”The Humours of Ennistymon,” Michael Coleman (1922)

4. “Black Snake Moan”/ “Match Box Blues,” Blind Lemon Jefferson (1928)

5. “Sorry, Wrong Number,” from “Suspense” radio series (1943)

6. “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” Johnny Mercer (1944)

7. Radio Coverage of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Funeral, Arthur Godfrey, et al. (1945)

8. “Kiss Me, Kate,” original cast album (1949)

9. “John Brown’s Body,” Tyrone Power, Judith Anderson, and Raymond Massey; directed by Charles Laughton (1953)

10. “My Funny Valentine,” The Gerry Mulligan Quartet featuring Chet Baker (1953)

11. “Sixteen Tons,” Tennessee Ernie Ford (1955)

12. “Mary Don’t You Weep,” The Swan Silvertones (1959)

13. “Joan Baez,” Joan Baez (1960)

14. “Stand by Me,” Ben E. King (1961)

15. “New Orleans’ Sweet Emma Barrett and her Preservation Hall Jazz Band,” Sweet Emma and her Preservation Hall Jazz Band (1964)

16. “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin,’” The Righteous Brothers (1964)

17. “The Doors,” The Doors (1967)

18. “Stand!” Sly and the Family Stone (1969)

19. “Lincoln Mayorga and Distinguished Colleagues,” Lincoln Mayorga (1968)

20. “A Wild and Crazy Guy,” Steve Martin (1978)

21. “Sesame Street: All-Time Platinum Favorites,” Various (1995)

22. “OK Computer,” Radiohead (1997)

23. “Songs of the Old Regular Baptists,” various (1997)

24. “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” Lauryn Hill (1998)

25. “Fanfares for the Uncommon Woman,” Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Marin Alsop, conductor; Joan Tower, composer (1999)

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38025 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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