National Recording Registry
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The National Recording Registry is a list of sound recordings that "are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant, and inform or reflect life in the United States".[1] The registry was established by the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000,[2] which created the National Recording Preservation Board, whose members are appointed by the librarian of Congress. The recordings preserved in the United States National Recording Registry form a registry of recordings selected yearly by the National Recording Preservation Board for preservation in the Library of Congress.[2]
The National Recording Preservation Act of 2000 established a national program to guard America's sound recording heritage. The Act created the National Recording Registry, the National Recording Preservation Board, and a fundraising foundation.[3] The purpose of the Registry is to maintain and preserve sound recordings and collections of sound recordings that are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.[2] In 2002, the National Recording Preservation Board selected recordings nominated each year to be preserved. On January 27, 2003, the first 50 recordings were announced by James Billington, the librarian of Congress.[4]
The first four yearly lists had 50 selections each. Since 2006, 25 recordings have been selected annually. As of 2026[update], 700 recordings have been preserved in the Registry. Each calendar year, public nominations are accepted for inclusion in that year's list of selections, which are announced the following spring.
Registry title works, original or copies, are housed at the Library of Congress's Packard Campus for Audio Video Conservation. Each yearly list typically includes a few recordings that have also been selected for inclusion in the holdings of the National Archives' audiovisual collection. Political recordings on the National Recording Registry tend to overlap with the audiovisual collection of the National Archives.
Selection criteria
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The criteria for selection are:
- Recordings selected for the National Recording Registry are "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant", and inform or reflect culture in the United States.[5][1]
- Recordings will not be considered for inclusion in the National Recording Registry if no copy of the recording exists.[5]
- No recording is eligible for inclusion in the National Recording Registry until ten years after the recording's creation.[5]
Inductees
[edit]The list shows overlapping items and whether the National Archives has an original or a copy of the recording.
Notes
[edit]- ^ The original 25 recordings from July 24, 1933, and July 28, 1934, are preserved at the Roosevelt Library in Hyde Park, New York.[9]
- ^ a b c This recording is, or was made for, the soundtrack of a Pulitzer Prize-winning production.
- ^ Described elsewhere on website as 1936.[12]
- ^ The essay accompanying the U.S. Highball listing seems to concern the later 1958 Gate 5 recording.[17]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l This recording is, or was made for, the soundtrack of a National Film Registry inductee.
- ^ Library of Congress sources conflict regarding the Pat Bonner recording(s) in the registry. The original press release names "Schooner Bradley",[21] while the full registry list and an expanded essay name "Clifton's Crew".[22][23] A list of available audio clips for registry titles includes both "Schooner Bradley" and "Clifton's Crew".[24]
- ^ Dates listed for the Pat Bonner selections include 1952–60,[25] June 1960,[22] and June 11, 1960,[26] although the essay for "Clifton's Crew" says "the only known recording" was made August 24, 1938.[27]
- ^ The class of 2022 saw a shift with the current calendar year being cited as the "induction year", as opposed to the previous year. Consequently, 2021 was skipped over.[97]
Statistics
[edit]As of 2025[update], the oldest recording on the list is Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville's Phonautograms, which date back to the 1850s.[121] The most recent is the original Broadway cast recording of Hamilton from 2015.[115]
Selections vary widely in duration. The early Edison recordings, the instrumental "Rumble" by Link Wray, "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and His Comets, and the Super Mario Bros. theme by Koji Kondo each clock in at under three minutes. The Edison "Talking Doll" cylinder is only 17 seconds long, "The Microsoft Sound" by Brian Eno lasts 6 seconds and some of Scott de Martinville's Phonautographs are just as brief. Meanwhile, Georg Solti's recording of Wagner's complete Ring Cycle is approximately 15 hours in duration,[122] Alexander Scourby's recitation of the King James Bible is over 80 hours, and Lyndon B. Johnson's recordings are nearly 850 hours in length.
Two significant podcast episodes are included: "The Giant Pool of Money" from This American Life (focusing on the subprime mortgage crisis causing the Great Recession) and the Robin Williams interview from WTF with Marc Maron (before his death from suicide in 2014).[123][124]
The Super Mario Bros. theme was the first piece of video game music to be selected for the Registry.[125][126][127]
Multiple entries
[edit]See also
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References
[edit]- ^ a b "How do I nominate a recording to the National Recording Registry? - Ask a Librarian". ask.loc.gov. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Current Registry". The Library of Congress. November 3, 2006. Retrieved February 9, 2007.
- ^ "Overview". The Library of Congress. November 16, 2006. Retrieved February 26, 2007.
- ^ Blair, Elizabeth (January 27, 2003). "Preserving the Sounds of America's Culture". NPR. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Frequently Asked Questions". The Library of Congress. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- ^ "Edison cylinders chosen for National Recording Registry". Edison National Historic Site. National Park Service. December 22, 2004. Archived from the original on February 7, 2007. Retrieved March 7, 2007.
- ^ "2002 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ Melton, Larry. "Ragtime compositions on piano rolls" (PDF). Library of Congress. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
- ^ "FDR Audio Recordings - FDR Presidential Library & Museum". www.fdrlibrary.org.
- ^ Rives, Timothy. "General Dwight D. Eisenhower's D-Day radio address to the Allied Nations (June 6, 1944)" (PDF). Library of Congress. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
- ^ "2003 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" (PDF). Library of Congress. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ "O. Winston Link Productions". owinstonlinkrailwayproductions.com. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen". Presto Music. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ Winds in hi-fi., U.S.A.: Mercury, 1959, OCLC 4287434
- ^ "2004 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ "U.S. Highball" (PDF). Library of Congress. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
- ^ "2005 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ "Mamie Smith and the Birth of the Blues Market". NPR. November 11, 2006.
- ^ "The Impact of Barber's 'Adagio for Strings'". NPR.org. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "Librarian of Congress Names 50 Recordings to the 2005 National Recording Registry". The Library of Congress. April 11, 2006. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ^ a b "Registry Titles with Descriptions and Expanded Essays". Library of Congress. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ^ "Clifton's Crew" (PDF). Library of Congress. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ "Listen to Registry Titles". Library of Congress. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Complete National Recording Registry Listing". Library of Congress. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ^ "2005". Library of Congress. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ "Clifton's Crew" (PDF). Library of Congress. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ^ "B.B. King, Sonic Youth Added to Library of Congress List". BMI.com. April 17, 2006. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "2006 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ Logue, Susan (May 15, 2008). "Jackson, Reagan Added to National Recording Registry". VOA News. Voice of America. Archived from the original on December 14, 2008. Retrieved January 3, 2009.
- ^ "2007 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ "NYC Mayor LaGuardia's Legendary Radio Readings". NPR.org. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "2Wesleyan Recording Accepted Into National Registry". The Wesleyan Connection. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
- ^ "2008 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ "2009 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ "R.E.M.'s Radio Free Europe | Studio 360". WNYC. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "Phonautogram". WNYC.
- ^ "2010 National Recording Registry". Library of Congress.
- ^ "Library of Congress Selects De La Soul Album for National Registry | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News". WNYC. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "2011 – National Recording Preservation Board". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ "Gabby Pahinui and the Hula Medley". WNYC.
- ^ Jackson, Blair (May 25, 2012). "Cornell '77 Enshrined for the Ages". dead.net. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- ^ 1979: A Year in Music: World Cafe: NPR
- ^ "2012 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ "Will Rogers: Bacon, Beans and Limousines". WNYC.
- ^ "Library of Congress Adds Glass Opera, Van Cliburn to Recording Registry | WQXR Editorial". WQXR. March 21, 2013.
- ^ "Leontyne Price and A Program of Song". WNYC.
- ^ "Leontyne Price - A Program of Song". Presto Music.
- ^ "2013 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ "Library of Congress Beefs Up Recordings Collection, but Watch Out for That Barber". April 2, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
- ^ "Making Fun of the Kennedys | Studio 360". WNYC.
- ^ "Christian rocker Larry Norman recognized as an American musical treasure".
{{cite web}}: Text "World" ignored (help) - ^ "Celia Cruz and Johnny Pacheco: They Invented Salsa". WNYC.
- ^ "2014 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ "The Boys of the Lough". WNYC.
- ^ ""Sorry, Wrong Number"". WNYC.
- ^ "Lincoln Mayorga and Distinguished Colleagues". townhallrecords.com.
- ^ "Inductee's Gallery | Recording Registry | National Recording Preservation Board | Programs | Library of Congress". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA.
- ^ a b c "Vinyl Review: Lincoln Mayorga and Distinguished Colleagues - Sheffield Lab S9". September 4, 2017.
- ^ National Recording Registry Adds Joan Tower's Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman|WQXR Blog|WQXR
- ^ "National Recording Registry Recognizes "Mack the Knife," Motown and Mahler". Library of Congress. March 23, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
- ^ "2015 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ Ellett, Ryan. "Destination Freedom, 'A Garage in Gainesville' and 'Execution Awaited' (September 25; October 2, 1949)" (PDF). Library of Congress.
- ^ "Clara Schumann and the LOC". WNYC.
- ^ "Clifton Chenier and the Bogalusa Boogie". WNYC.
- ^ "2016 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ Cataldo, By Jennie (July 12, 2018). "Wilson Pickett's 'In the Midnight Hour'". The World from PRX.
- ^ Cataldo, By Jennie (October 24, 2018). "Don McLean's 'American Pie'". The World from PRX.
- ^ Cataldo, By Jennie (August 29, 2018). "Richard Pryor's 'Wanted: Live in Concert'". The World from PRX.
- ^ "Renée Fleming - Great Opera Scenes". Presto Music.
- ^ "2017 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ "2018 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ Barnes, Mike (March 20, 2019). "Songs From Jay-Z, Cyndi Lauper, Neil Diamond Inducted Into National Recording Registry". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ Russonello, Giovanni (March 20, 2019). "Nina Simone and Ritchie Valens Songs Added to National Recording Registry" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Schoolhouse Rock! hits the mid-century mark|The Spokesman–Review
- ^ Members Of The 2018 National Recording Registry Class Announced: NPR
- ^ "National Recording Registry Class Produces Ultimate 'Stay at Home' Playlist". Library of Congress. March 25, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- ^ "2019 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ Willman, Chris (March 25, 2020). "National Recording Registry Inducts Classics by Dr. Dre, Mister Rogers and Cheap Trick".
- ^ "Abbess Hildegard of Bingen - A feather on the breath of God". Presto Music.
- ^ "Selena's 1990 album is inducted into the National Recording Registry|Univision".
- ^ "Dr. Dre's 1992 Classic 'The Chronic' Inducted Into Library Of Congress|HipHopDX".
- ^ "Jennifer Higdon - Recordings by Work Title". jenniferhigdon.com.
- ^ "2020 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ "Janet Jackson, Louis Armstrong, more voices that 'shaped our culture' join National Recording Registry : USA Today". USA Today.
- ^ The Sounds of America: The Harder They Come – BMP Audio
- ^ "The Sounds Of America: 'Late For The Sky'".
- ^ The Sounds of America: "Rainbow Connection" – BMP Audio
- ^ Schuessler, Jennifer (March 24, 2021). "Janet Jackson and Kermit the Frog Added to National Recording Registry". The New York Times. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ "Strauss - Four Last Songs". Presto Music.
- ^ Israel Kamakawiwo’ole's Famous Medley Added to National Recording Registry|Hawai'i Public Radio
- ^ Saldaña, By Hector (March 24, 2021). "Library of Congress picks Flaco Jimenez album for preservation". San Antonio Express-News.
- ^ Library of Congress Inducts 10 BMI Musical Works into National Recording Registry|News|BMI.com
- ^ Barnes, Mike (March 24, 2021). "Music from Janet Jackson, Connie Smith, Nas, Jimmy Cliff Enter National Recording Registry". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ "The Sounds of America: Flaco Jiménez's Partners album – BMP Audio".
- ^ National Recording Registry adds its first frog (Kermit) and its first podcast – Washington Post
- ^ "View Registry by Induction Years". Recording Registry. Library of Congress. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
- ^ "2022 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ Bonomolo, Cameron (April 13, 2022). "Disneyland Ride's Iconic Song Added to National Recording Registry".
- ^ "National Recording Registry Inducts Music from Alicia Keys, Ricky Martin, Journey and More in 2022". Library of Congress. April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ^ "'Perfect rock song' among 25 titles newly added to National Recording Registry". April 14, 2022.
- ^ Alicia Keys, Ricky Martin, Bonnie Raitt added to National Recording Registry : NPR
- ^ Monroe, Jazz (April 13, 2022). "Wu-Tang Clan and A Tribe Called Quest Albums Archived in Library of Congress". Pitchfork.
- ^ "National Recording Registry's new additions: Marc Maron, Alicia Keys and more". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ Ink, Radio (April 13, 2022). "WNYC Recordings Go Into National Registry". Radio Ink. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "New Items Added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry | All Of It". WNYC. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "Sounds of America: Robin Williams and Marc Maron". 1A. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "2023". National Recording Preservation Board. Library of Congress. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ^ The Sounds of America: ‘Pale Blue Dot’|1A
- ^ "The 2023 Sounds of America".
- ^ "'Gasolina' is 1st reggaeton hit in National Recording Registry". NBC News. April 12, 2023.
- ^ "Delos | Outhere Music". outhere-music.com.
- ^ "David Shifrin & Friends". Presto Music.
- ^ "National Recording Registry Inducts Sounds of ABBA, Blondie, The Cars, The Chicks, Juan Gabriel, Green Day, The Notorious B.I.G. and Lily Tomlin". LOC.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ a b "National Recording Registry Inducts Sounds of Elton John, Chicago, Broadway's 'Hamilton,' Mary J. Blige, Amy Winehouse, Minecraft and Microsoft". LOC.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
- ^ "'Our American Journey' - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. November 25, 2002.
- ^ Writer, Sophie McEvoy Staff (April 10, 2025). "Minecraft soundtrack to enter US National Recording Registry". GamesIndustry.biz.
- ^ "National Recording Registry Inducts Sounds of Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, The Go-Go's, Vince Gill, Weezer, Reba McEntire and More". LOC.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
- ^ Jamie Principle's groundbreaking Chicago house classic "Your Love" added to National Recording Registry|CBS News
- ^ Bobby Prince's 'Doom' Soundtrack Inducted into Library of Congress|DayOne
- ^ Rosen, Jody (March 27, 2008). "Researchers Play Tune Recorded Before Edison". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "Why Sir Georg Solti's 'Ring Cycle' Recording Remains An Enduring Part of His Legacy". Opera Wire. October 21, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- ^ Smith, Troy L. (April 13, 2022). "Wu-Tang Clan, Robin Williams and Hank Aaron's 715th homerun call added to National Recording Registry". Cleveland.com. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (April 13, 2022). "9/11 & FDR Tapes, 'Bohemian Rhapsody', Alicia Keys Album, Ricky Martin Hit & More Added To National Recording Registry". Deadline. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- ^ "National Recording Registry Inducts Music from Madonna, Mariah Carey, Queen Latifah, Daddy Yankee". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ^ "Mario, Mariah, Madonna added to National Recording Registry". Associated Press. April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ The Sounds of America: The Super Mario Bros. theme song|1A
- ^ Music, Roger Wink, VVN (February 7, 2018). "50th Anniversary Edition of Love 'Forever Changes' Coming". noise11.com.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Love: Forever Changes (Collector's Edition)|PopMatters
- ^ New York Philharmonic|Programs: Season 1943–44
External links
[edit]- National Recording Preservation Board
- Full National Recording Registry
- NPR All Things Considered – series spotlighting selections from the Registry
- Selection spotlights on WNYC
- 1A The Sounds of America – series spotlighting selections from the Registry
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