The US Library of Congress has today announced its latest round of recordings that will be inducted into its National Recording Registry.
Ever since 2003, the US Library of Congress has been inducting a number of recordings that they deem “culturally, historically or aesthetically important” into their National Recording Registry.
Many of these inductees have been recordings which are quite famous for what they represent, whether it be a period of history, technological innovation, a connection to a certain event, or for the effect that they have had on popular culture.
While older recordings from the likes of Benny Goodman, Lead Belly, and Robert Johnson are included, so are films, speeches, and operas. Of course, new compositions are also included, with works by Run-DMC, Marvin Gaye, and N.W.A scoring a mention.
Now, the US Library of Congress have unveiled their list of 2019 inductees.
As Variety reports, the Library of Congress is set to induct a number of intriguing recordings, ranging from cylinder recordings from the turn of the 20th century, to Jay-Z’s The Blueprint – the first entry from the 21st century.
Check out Jay-Z’s ‘Izzo (H.O.V.A.)’:
https://vimeo.com/291364648
This year will also see songs like Ritchie Valens’ ‘La Bamba’, Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’, Nina Simone’s ‘Mississippi Goddam’, and Earth, Wind & Fire’s ‘September’ included, while albums like Curtis Mayfield’s Superfly and Cyndi Lauper’s She’s So Unusual have also made the cut.
“I’m really honored that She’s So Unusual is being recognized as being one of the nation’s audio treasures worthy of lifetime preservation,” said Cyndi Lauper of her induction.
“I was really determined to make a cohesive collection of songs and really determined to make sure all types of women were represented in the ‘Girls [Just Want To Have Fun]’ video,” she continued.
“I had this very strong vision of how I wanted to put the music together. If this is going to be my thing, and if this is the only time I ever get to open my mouth and sing, I want it to be great.”
Check out the full list of inductees below.
Check out Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun’:
US Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry Inductees 2019
1. Yiddish Cylinders from the Standard Phonograph Company of New York and the Thomas Lambert Company (c. 1901-1905)
2. ‘Memphis Blues’ (single), Victor Military Band (1914)
3. Melville Jacobs Collection of Native Americans of the American Northwest (1929-1939)
4. ‘Minnie the Moocher’ (single), Cab Calloway (1931)
5. Bach Six Cello Suites (album), Pablo Casals (c. 1939)
6. ‘They Look Like Men of War’ (single), Deep River Boys (1941)
7. Gunsmoke — Episode: ‘The Cabin’ (Dec. 27, 1952)
8. Ruth Draper: Complete recorded monologues, Ruth Draper (1954-1956)
9. ‘La Bamba’ (single), Ritchie Valens (1958)
10. ‘Long Black Veil’ (single), Lefty Frizzell (1959)
11. Stan Freberg Presents the United States of America, Vol. 1: The Early Years (album), Stan Freberg (1961)
12. GO (album), Dexter Gordon (1962)
13. War Requiem (album), Benjamin Britten (1963)
14. ‘Mississippi Goddam’ (single), Nina Simone (1964)
15. ‘Soul Man’ (single), Sam & Dave (1967)
16. Hair (original Broadway cast recording) (1968)
17. Speech on the Death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Robert F. Kennedy (April 4, 1968)
18. ‘Sweet Caroline’ (single), Neil Diamond (1969)
19. Superfly (album), Curtis Mayfield (1972)
20. Ola Belle Reed (album), Ola Belle Reed (1973)
21. ‘September’ (single), Earth, Wind & Fire (1978)
22. ‘You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)’ (single), Sylvester (1978)
23. She’s So Unusual (album), Cyndi Lauper (1983)
24. Schoolhouse Rock!: The Box Set (1996)
25. The Blueprint (album), Jay-Z (2001)
