In a grand celebration of cultural persistence, America’s auditory legacy is set to welcome a harmonious amalgamation of old-school charm and groundbreaking modernity. New inductees to the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress not only bear witness to the evolution of music but also immortalize their contribution to the rich fabric of American heritage.
Among the venerable dynamos granted entry are the Swedish supergroup ABBA’s disco-infused album “Arrival,” and The Notorious B.I.G’s trailblazing 1994 work “Ready to Die.” Blondie’s 1978 breakthrough “Parallel Lines,” too, is set to grace the list, accompanied by the heartwarming 1949 classic, Gene Autry’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
The announcement came from Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden on a serene Tuesday. She warmly heralded the arrival of 25 fresh titles to the class of 2024, describing them as “worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical, or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.”
Demonstrating the broad and multilingual scope of American music, the selection also features global masterpieces such as Héctor Lavoe’s signature 1978 song “El Cantante,” penned by Ruben Blades, and Juan Gabriel’s heartrending tribute to his mother, “Amor Eterno.” Consistently pushing the boundaries, the Library ventures back with a 1990 immortalization of a magical 1984 piece.
The Registry continues to emphasize its commitment to diverse contributions, labeling them as reflective of “the defining sounds of the nation’s history and culture.” Classic entrants include Jefferson Airplane’s trippy album “Surrealistic Pillow,” Green Day’s punk-rock game-changer “Dookie,” and The Chicks’ enchanting “Wide Open Spaces,” the latter swirling beautifully to claim most recordings among the new additions.
Of exceptional note is the singular non-musical entry this year, a slice of humor in the form of Lily Tomlin’s 1971 album of sketches “This Is a Recording.” To date, the registered library boasts 650 titles, a collection that expands each time to envelop more genre-bridging entrants like Mariah Carey’s modern mega-hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”
Entering into the realm of rock, the list also recognizes Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats’ 1951’s track “Rocket ‘88′” — a song that many claim to be the first-ever rock ‘n’ roll gem.
From career-defining singles by legendary artists such as “Chances Are” by Johnny Mathis, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin, “The Tennessee Waltz” by Patti Page, and “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers, the National Recording Registry continues to pay homage to the music and timeless artistry that helped shape America’s vibrant soundscape.
It should be clarified that the honor in the category of ABBA’s timeless album “Arrival” comes home not to “The Visitors,” as was previously cited in error. In the journey of capturing critical moments in music history, it goes to show that all ‘arrivals’ aren’t just significant, they are monumental.
