A Collection of the Most Important Recorded Sounds, According to the Library of Congress

From speeches to pop music, the National Recording Registry has deemed 700 works of historic significance

Michael Grant,

AARP

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Published May 28, 2026

Each year, the Library of Congress adds works it deems culturally, historically or aesthetically important to its National Recording Registry. Above are some of the sounds inducted in 2025, which are part of the 700 recordings in the registry.

Courtesy Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is curating the ultimate playlist. Each year, the institution adds 25 works deemed culturally, historically or aesthetically important to its National Recording Registry. That puts the total so far at 700, ranging from Thomas Edison’s pioneering sound recordings — originally captured on tinfoil, tin cylinders and wax cylinders — to the Hamilton cast recording. This year’s inductees include the Go-Go’s debut album, Beauty and the Beat, Chaka Khan’s hit “I Feel for You” and music from the Doom video game.

As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, we talked with Patrick Midtlyng, head of the library’s Recorded Sound Section, about the importance of sound preservation.

Why does the National Recording Registry matter?

These recordings mean something about us. They are anchors to our past. They remind us of what we have had. I think what’s important is that it’s not just an opportunity to reflect on songs and radio broadcasts. The NASA recordings are on there.

How are recordings selected?

Every year, there are a number of study groups that will put together nominations, pre-1955 recordings, fieldwork recordings, gospel recordings, rap and hip-hop. There’s a dance group, a choral group, an opera group and others. Then the National Recording Preservation Board will vote on those nominations. The list is then provided to the Library of Congress, and from that list, the librarian can choose which 25 recordings will go on the list that year.

So does the librarian of Congress have the final say?

The librarian is charged with it in the National Recording Preservation Act. It is their say. Currently, Robert Newlen is the acting librarian of Congress. So ultimately, it is the head of the agency who is making those final determinations based on all the input of the experts.

How can the public listen to these recordings?

Anything pre-1926 on the registry is now in the public domain. We have those online through the National Jukebox. But recorded sound copyright is a wildly fascinating topic, and so most recordings are not free to put online.

So, the registry is a list, not a place to download or stream the recordings?

That’s correct. If you go to the recording registry web page, you’ll find a list of tracks that a group of experts has determined to be important. We also have essays on there from scholars and professionals in their fields. We have interviews with many of the inductees. There are individual song essays that are written every year that help to provide some context behind the recordings.

What are some examples of recent additions to the registry?

The Chicago Transit Authority, the debut album from the band Chicago, is on the list. “Before the Next Teardrop Falls,” a great track, that’s a single from Freddy Fender. My mom and dad love “Fly Like an Eagle” by the Steve Miller Band; that one was also put on last year. “Ain’t No Sunshine” from Bill Withers, a great track. If you’re into bluegrass music, J.D Crowe & the New South — this is one that some of the study groups wanted to get on for a long time.

ABBA’s album "Arrival" was added in 2024. What stands out about ABBA?

“Dancing Queen” came out before I was born, but when it comes on the radio, I know all the words. My kids know all the words. The registry is meant to preserve those things that have shown not only their staying power but also how much they’ve meant to different generations. I remember finding my mom’s ABBA tape when I was 9, and ABBA is just great. It’s great to dance to, and it’s great songwriting.

So, the music doesn’t have to be from American artists?

No. John Lennon is on the list for “Imagine.” Led Zeppelin for “Stairway to Heaven.” Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is on the list. When the Library awarded Elton John and Bernie Taupin the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, they talked about how they may not have been born in America, but their influences were all American.

Can anyone nominate a song or album?

Absolutely. We love to see people nominate recordings, because it really gives a sense of what’s important, what’s out there in the ether and what people are talking about. The only rule, really, is that the recording has to be over 10 years old.

What types of speeches are on the registry?

Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech is there. Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidential recordings are on there. We also have broadcasts on there. We have the WNYC broadcasts from 9/11. There’s a lot of baseball recordings.

What is something on the registry that people might be surprised to find out?

The Windows start-up chime is in the registry. That’s a sound everyone knows. Brian Eno was the composer for that. It just sort of shows you that when people think about iconic sound, it’s everywhere. It’s all around us.

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