25 new recordings were added to the National Recording Registry today (April 13), and there's a large variety between them: from two classic rock anthems to Alicia Keys' 2001 album Songs in A Minor and multiple Latin and rap/hip-hop entries.
This year's inductions span 89 years, and bring the registry to an even 600 titles. Each year, 25 titles that are deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” are added to the registry. The only stipulation is that they be at least 10 years old.
Aside from Keys' debut album, Bonnie Raitt’s Nick of Time (1990) has been added to the registry, alongside two Billboard Hot 100 charting songs: The Four Tops’ “Reach Out I’ll Be There” (1966) and Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca” (1999).
In addition to Martin's hit Latin song, two other Latin projects were acknowledged this year: Linda Ronstadt’s Canciones de Mi Padre (1987) and Buena Vista Social Club’s self-titled 1997 record. This marks the first time that three (or even two) recordings classified as Latin by the National Recording Registry have been inducted in the same year.
Like with the Latin recordings, a similar thing happened with rap/hip-hop. Two rap/hip-hop recordings were inducted: A Tribe Called Quest’s 1991 album The Low End Theory and Wu-Tang Clan’s 1993 album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Their entry marks the first time two recordings classified as rap/hip-hop by the Registry have been inducted in the same year.
Additionally, several 50s and 60s-era musical recordings were inducted. They include Duke Ellington's 1956 album Ellington at Newport, Nat “King” Cole's 1961 recording of “The Christmas Song,” Andy Williams’ “Moon River,” and the Disneyland Boys Choir’s “It’s a Small World.”
Last but certainly not least, two iconic rock songs were added: Queen’s 1975 magnum opus “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Journey's 1981 song "Don't Stop Believin'." Former Journey frontman Steve Perry talked about the honor in a video the Library of Congress posted on social media.
"That song, over the years, has become something that has a life of its own," he said. "And it's about the people who embraced it and found the lyrics to be something they can relate to and hold onto and sing."
Other recordings added this year include Franklin D. Roosevelt: Complete Presidential Speeches (1933-45), WNYC broadcasts from 9/11, Hank Aaron’s 715th Career Home Run, and a 2010 episode of the podcast WTF With Marc Maron featuring guest Robin Williams.
You can see the full list of recordings added to the National Recording Registry here.
Watch the Library of Congress' 2022 National Recording Registry video below.
NEWS: The @LibnOfCongress has announced the annual selection of 25 recordings to be inducted into the National Recording Registry, chosen for their cultural, historic or aesthetic importance to preserve the nation’s recorded sound heritage. #NatRecRegistryhttps://t.co/0p6y8KNjxu pic.twitter.com/nkyTkzY4o5
— Library of Congress (@librarycongress) April 13, 2022
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Article Image: A black and white photo of the members of Queen in 1976, Alicia Keys smiling for a photo in 2007. (DarioStudios and PopularImages via DepositPhotos.)
