LOS ANGELES (AP) — Albums and songs from Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Chaka Khan and The Go-Go’s are joining America’s audio canon. The Library of Congress announced Thursday the latest additions to the National Recording Registry, a prestigious archive that preserves recordings deemed culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant to the nation’s recorded sound heritage. This year’s class includes 25 recordings spanning eight decades, from a 1944 novelty track to Taylor Swift’s 2014 pop masterpiece.
The National Recording Registry was established by the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, which created a board of experts to select recordings each year. Since its inception, the registry has grown to include over 600 recordings that capture the diversity of American sound—from speeches and radio broadcasts to classical music, jazz, blues, rock, and pop. The selections are housed at the Library of Congress and preserved for future generations. The 2026 class is notable for featuring first-time entries by two of the biggest pop stars in the world: Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.
Taylor Swift’s 2014 album 1989 is the newest recording in this year’s group. The album marked a pivotal shift in Swift’s career, moving from country to fully embracing pop music. With hit singles like \“Shake It Off,\” \“Blank Space,\” and \“Bad Blood,\” 1989 became a critical and commercial juggernaut, winning three Grammy Awards including Album of the Year. Its inclusion in the registry recognizes not only its sales and cultural impact but its role in redefining pop music in the 2010s. Swift has since continued to break records, but 1989 remains a watershed moment in her catalog.
Beyoncé’s 2008 single \“Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)\” also enters the registry, marking the first time a song by the artist has been selected. The anthem, produced by Tricky Stewart and The-Dream, became a global phenomenon and sparked a viral dance craze. Its iconic music video—featuring Beyoncé and two backup dancers in black leotards—won Video of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards and has been widely parodied and referenced in popular culture. Beyoncé’s discography is rich with impactful tracks, but \“Single Ladies\” stands out for its empowerment message and its role in shaping modern pop and R&B.
Chaka Khan’s 1984 hit \“I Feel for You\” is also being inducted. The song, written by Prince, was a massive crossover success, blending funk, R&B, and pop. Chaka Khan’s vocal performance, alongside a harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder and rapped interjections by Grandmaster Melle Mel, made the track a landmark in the fusion of hip-hop and soul. It won a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and remains a staple of party playlists. Khan, already inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, now sees her work preserved in the national archive.
Country music receives substantial representation this year. Vince Gill’s 1994 gospel-tinged ballad \“Go Rest High on That Mountain\” enters the registry. The song, written after the deaths of his brother and fellow musician Keith Whitley, has become a funeral standard in country music. Its emotional depth and Gill’s vocal delivery have resonated deeply with audiences. Also included are Reba McEntire’s 1990 album Rumor Has It and Rosanne Cash’s 1993 album The Wheel, both of which showcase the depth of country music storytelling.
The Go-Go’s 1981 debut album Beauty and the Beat is another significant addition. The all-female band’s album reached number one on the Billboard 200, a first for a group of women who wrote and performed their own songs. The album’s blend of punk energy and pop melody—with hits like \“Our Lips Are Sealed\” and \“We Got the Beat\”—paved the way for future female rock acts. Its inclusion highlights the importance of women in rock history.
Ray Charles’ seminal 1962 album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music also makes the list. Charles blended country, soul, and pop in a way that broke racial barriers and expanded the boundaries of American music. The album’s hit \“I Can’t Stop Loving You\” remains one of Charles’ most beloved recordings. Its induction underscores the album’s enduring influence on country and soul fusion.
Other musical acts include Weezer’s 1994 self-titled debut, known as \“The Blue Album,\” which helped define the alternative rock sound of the 1990s. Classic singles from Gladys Knight and the Pips (\“Midnight Train to Georgia\”), The Byrds (\“Mr. Tambourine Man\”), José Feliciano (\“Light My Fire\”), and Paul Anka (\“Diana\”) also earn their place. These recordings represent pivotal moments in soul, folk rock, and early rock and roll.
Among the more unconventional selections are the soundtrack to the influential 1993 video game \“Doom\” and the radio broadcast of \“The Fight of the Century,\” the legendary 1971 heavyweight boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. The Doom soundtrack, composed by Robert Prince and featuring heavy metal-inspired riffs, is credited with revolutionizing video game music. The Ali-Frazier fight broadcast, called by Don Dunphy, captures one of the most-watched sporting events in history, symbolizing a cultural moment that transcended sports.
The oldest recording in this year’s class is Spike Jones and His City Slickers’ 1944 single \“Cocktails for Two,\” a comedic novelty piece that satirizes popular songs of the era with sound effects and exaggerated vocals. Spike Jones was known for his zany performances, and this track exemplifies a genre of humor that entertained wartime America.
The acting Librarian of Congress, Robert Newlen, praised the selections, stating that \“music and recorded sound are essential, wonderful parts of our daily lives and our national heritage\” and that the registry \“works to preserve our national playlist for generations to come.\” The 2026 class was chosen from more than 3,000 public nominations, reflecting a broad engagement with the American public in preserving audio history.
This year also marks the first recordings by Swift and Beyoncé selected for the registry. Both artists have had immense influence on global pop culture, and their inclusion recognizes their contributions to music history. The Library of Congress noted that the registry aims to represent a wide range of genres, eras, and demographics, and this class achieves that with a mix of mainstream hits, indie breakthroughs, and historical non-music recordings.
As the registry continues to grow, each new class offers a snapshot of American life through sound. The 2026 inductees remind us of the power of music and audio to shape and reflect the national experience—from a fight in a boxing ring to a pop album that changed the game for a generation. The recordings will be preserved in the Library of Congress’s audio vault, ensuring they remain accessible for scholars, fans, and future listeners.
Source: Brandon Sun News