Hits from Céline Dion, Miles Davis and Mary J. Blige enter U.S. National Recording Registry
The National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress has welcomed a new class of inductees, adding iconic albums and singles to America’s audio canon. These recordings were selected for their cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.
Among the distinguished albums entering the archive are Elton John’s classic “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” from 1973, Miles Davis’ groundbreaking “Bitches Brew” from 1970, Tracy Chapman’s self-titled album featuring the hit “Fast Car” from 1988, Mary J. Blige’s introspective “My Life” from 1994, and the original Broadway cast recording of “Hamilton” from 2015.
In addition to these albums, singles from Helen Reddy’s empowering anthem “I Am Woman” from 1972 and Céline Dion’s timeless ballad “My Heart Will Go On” from the film “Titanic” in 1997 have also been included in the registry.
Noteworthy additions to the archive include the original music from the video game and movie sensation “Minecraft,” composed by Daniel Rosenfeld on the album “Minecraft: Volume Alpha,” as well as the iconic reboot sound for Microsoft’s Windows 95 operating system by Brian Eno.
Other significant recordings entering the registry this year are Chuck Thompson’s radio broadcast of the 1960 World Series, featuring the historic Game 7 home run by Bill Mazeroski, and the Hawaiian Quintette’s 1913 recording of “Aloha ‘Oe,” the oldest recording in the class of 2025.
The class of 2025 also features albums like Don Rickles’ “Hello Dummy” from 1968, Chicago’s self-titled debut album from 1969, Thelma Houston & Pressure Cooker’s “I’ve Got the Music in Me” from 1975, Steve Miller Band’s “Fly Like an Eagle” from 1976, and Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” from 2006.
Additionally, career-defining singles from artists like Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Freddy Fender, and Charley Pride are joining the ranks of the National Recording Registry, solidifying their place in America’s musical history. These recordings represent a diverse array of musical genres and styles, showcasing the rich tapestry of America’s cultural heritage.
