By Jonathan Landrum Jr.
Contributing Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Albums and songs from Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight and the Pips are joining America’s audio canon.
The new inductees into the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress include Beyoncé’s era-defining 2008 anthem “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” Swift’s blockbuster pop album “1989,” Khan’s genre-blending hit “I Feel for You,” and Knight’s “Midnight Train to Georgia.”
They were among the 25 recordings entering the archive in the class of 2026, acting Librarian of Congress Robert Newlen announced May 14. The selections were chosen for their “cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.”
“Music and recorded sound are essential, wonderful parts of our daily lives and our national heritage,” Newlen said in a statement. “The National Recording Registry works to preserve our national playlist for generations to come.”
Other recordings entering the registry include Ray Charles’ groundbreaking country crossover album “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music,” Reba McEntire’s “Rumor Has It,” Rosanne Cash’s “The Wheel” and Weezer’s self-titled debut known as “The Blue Album.”
Tunes from The Go-Go’s, The Byrds, José Feliciano and Paul Anka also earned inclusion.
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 oldest recording in this year’s class is Spike Jones and His City Slickers’ 1944 single “Cocktails for Two.” The newest is Swift’s “1989.”
This year also marks the first recordings by Swift and Beyoncé selected for the registry. The Library of Congress said more than 3,000 public nominations were submitted for consideration this year.
Jonathan Landrum Jr. writes for the Associated Press.
