Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Chaka Khan, and The Go-Go’s are among the latest artists to have their works inducted into the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress, as announced by acting Librarian of Congress Robert Newlen on Thursday.
New Inductees
The 25 recordings chosen for the class of 2026 include Swift’s blockbuster 2014 pop album 1989, Beyoncé’s era-defining 2008 anthem Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), Khan’s genre-blending hit I Feel for You, Vince Gill’s emotional ballad Go Rest High on That Mountain, and The Go-Go’s groundbreaking debut album Beauty and the Beat. These selections were recognized for their cultural, historical, or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.
Significance of the Registry
“Music and recorded sound are essential, wonderful parts of our daily lives and our national heritage,” Newlen stated. “The National Recording Registry works to preserve our national playlist for generations to come.”
Other Notable Additions
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. Classic singles from Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Byrds, José Feliciano, and Paul Anka also earned inclusion.
Unconventional Selections
Among the more unconventional choices 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.
Historical Range
The oldest recording in this year’s class is Spike Jones and His City Slickers’ 1944 single Cocktails for Two, while the newest is Swift’s 1989. This year marks the first recordings by Swift and Beyoncé selected for the registry. The Library of Congress noted that over 3,000 public nominations were submitted for consideration this year.
