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One strong opinion about what needs to be added to National Recording Registry

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Just yesterday, I penned a piece about the 2023 inductees into the National RecordingRegistry. If you’re curious to know who made the cut or dig deeper into the list, you can find all the details here. To put it simply, since 2002, the Library of Congress has been shining a spotlight on recordings that hold immense historical and cultural value. With over 600 titles now on the Registry, it’s a testament to the power of music and sound in shaping our history.

A majority of these recordings are musical pieces, with Pop being the most frequent genre, but Jazz, R&B, Country, Dance, Folk, and Hip-Hop also make up a significant portion. This extensive collection was carefully chosen by the Librarian of Congress in collaboration with specialists from diverse disciplines.

Despite the impressive selections already made, there are still some worthy additions that deserve recognition. I’m excited to contribute my suggestions and here are fifteen albums that I believe should be considered:

1. Album A by Artist A
2. Album B by Artist B
3. Album C by Artist C
4. Album D by Artist D
5. Album E by Artist E
6. Album F by Artist F
7. Album G by Artist G
8. Album H by Artist H
9. Album I by Artist I
10. Album J by Artist J
11. Album K by Artist K
12. Album L by Artist L
13. Album M by Artist M
14. Album N by Artist N
15. Album O by Artist O

What should be added to the National Recording Registry

Some might deviate slightly from the usual routes. frankly, I’m taken aback that some of these haven’t been acknowledged earlier. The broad acceptance criteria specify that the recording should be at least a decade old and must remain in its original state. Given that I believe all my suggestions are already on Spotify, I assume they will meet the requirements.

Moving forward, it’s important to note that the recordings under consideration must hold cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance. Here, I present one music enthusiast’s perspective on which recordings should be included in the Registry in 2026, organized by their release date.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you need any further assistance.

Wanda Jackson (Album, Wanda Jackson, 1958 – Pop)

This album, titled after her own name, was the initial release by the undisputed queen of rockabilly. Her spirited, unrestrained interpretation of “Let’s Have a Party,” originally sung by Jessie Mae Robinson, served as a benchmark for female rock and roll vocalists for many years. Notably, it showcased exceptional early guitar playing from artists such as Buck Owens, Vernon Sandusky, and Roy Clark.

“What a Way to Die” (Single, the Pleasure Seekers, 1965 – Pop)

In the mid-’60s, Suzi Quatro and her sisters emerged from Detroit with a powerful hard rock sound that rivaled the boys. They added a rowdy, feminine edge to garage rock with several singles they released in the ’60s. Unfortunately, The Pleasure Seekers were before their time, as major success didn’t come until Quatro moved to England in the 1970s.

John Prine (Album, John Prine, 1971 – Folk)

As a devoted music enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share my admiration for one of the most influential American singer-songwriters from the past half-century. Their debut album is a treasure trove, housing timeless pieces such as “Angel From Montgomery,” “Sam Stone,” and “Paradise.

Nashville (Album, Assorted Artists, 1975 – Soundtrack)

In Robert Altman’s stunning movie, Nashville, the soundtrack album includes performances by actors and musicians, all contributing their own unique tunes. These original songs are a blend of respectful homage and sharp critique aimed at the Nashville music industry as a whole.

In the movie, there’s almost constant music playing, and this energetic vibe is largely preserved in the soundtrack album. Notably, it features the Academy Award-winning song “I’m Easy,” sung by Keith Carradine.

Never Mind the Bullocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols (Album, The Sez Pistols, 1977 – Pop)

Let’s clarify a few points upfront. This is about as different from mainstream music (or “pop”) as it gets. However, at present, our database doesn’t differentiate between pop and more intense forms of rock. Consequently, bands like Metallica and the Ramones are frequently categorized as “pop” in our system.

Next, let’s discuss the Sex Pistols, a British musical group who produced this album in London. Is it suitable to be added to an American catalog or registry given its origin? Considering that there are already several non-American recordings such as Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” and The Wailers’ “Burnin'” on the list, more information is needed about the criteria for inclusion.

Setting those points aside, why should this album go unnoticed? After all, it’s among the most impactful contributions to hard rock music that has seen the light of day.

“Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys” (Single, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, 1978 – Country)

It’s confirmed that Willie Nelson has been included in the registry for his album “Red Headed Stranger”. On the other hand, Waylon Jennings is not part of it. That pretty much covers it.

Double Nickels on the Dime (Album, Minutemen, 1984 – Pop)

In essence, you won’t find much punk music on the Registry, except for The Ramones who are considered the genuine punk artists. Artists like Patti Smith, Nirvana, Green Day, and Sonic Youth can be thought of as being closely related to punk music. However, apart from Sonic Youth’s “Daydream Nation,” there is no post-hardcore punk music from the ’80s on the Registry.

It might take some extra effort, but I strongly believe that the iconic double-album from Minutemen truly merits recognition. This masterpiece significantly elevated the standards for punk musicians when it comes to songwriting depth.

“Highwayman” (Single, The Highwaymen, 1985 – Country)

As a die-hard music lover and avid gamer, let me throw in my two cents: You’ve gotta include Waylon Jennings on that list! With his iconic outlaw country track, he brings Kris Kristofferson to the table too – not forgetting the legendary trio of Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, who are already recognized.

“Walk This Way” (Single, Run-DMC and Aerosmith, 1986 – Rap/Hip Hop)

I’d like to make a slight alteration: The album “Raising Hell” by Run-DMC certainly deserves its place in the Registry, with “Walk This Way” being one of its tracks. However, this song is so influential that it warrants individual recognition. It marked the pivotal moment where the roles of Rock and Hip Hop began to interchange. Maybe I’m asking for too much, but…

Requesting a dual acknowledgement. I might borrow a line from Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way” and rephrase Raekwon’s 1995 album, “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…” as “RZA’s Production and the pairing of Raekwon and Ghostface on this album is not just highly influential—it’s downright exceptional.

“Tom’s Diner” (Single, Suzanne Vega, 1987 & 1990 – Pop)

On another occasion, deviating from the norm. I aim for this recording to be perceived in two distinct manners. The a cappella rendition by Vega in 1987 holds immense cultural value as the pioneering MP3 track. Furthermore, it garnered significant attention when DNA remixed Vega’s vocals with music accompaniment in 1990. Moreover, it’s an excellent tune.

Read My Mind (Album, Reba McEntire, 1994 – Country)

It’s crucial to list Reba in the Registry, as she is among the most successful artists of all time in terms of sales. Not only was her success commercial, but this album also held significant cultural importance. “She Thinks His Name Was John” was the first well-known country song about AIDS, helping to break down barriers in conservative country music stations that had been closed since Nashville’s early days.

The Marshall Mathers LP (Album, Eminem, 2000 – Rap/Hip Hop)

The Registry has skillfully assembled its extensive Hip-Hop catalog, featuring key releases from the likes of Notorious B.I.G., A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, N.W.A., and Public Enemy. They’ve also acknowledged the significance of Lauryn Hill and Queen Latifah with tracks such as “The Message,” “La Di Da Di,” and “Rapper’s Delight.” However, there are still some gaps to be filled.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but acknowledge that Eminem stands out as one who fearlessly tackles the raw and controversial. His third studio album, in particular, stirred up quite a storm, delving into topics most would rather avoid, from “Kill You” to “Kim” and beyond. It also houses one of his most iconic pieces, “Stan.” Similar to the Sex Pistols’ album, this material is tough to swallow, yet its cultural influence is undeniably powerful.

O Brother, Where Art Thou (Album, Various Artists, 2000 – Soundtrack)

This assemblage of traditional and unique tracks served as the remarkable soundtrack for the Coen Brothers’ 2000 film with the same title. Orchestrated by T-Bone Burnett, it unexpectedly dominated both mainstream and country music charts. This outstanding compilation of Americana tunes has exceeded sales of eight million units.

Get Away From Me (Album, Nellie McKay, 2004 – Pop)

Maybe not too well-known, this remarkable compilation of original tunes was crafted by McKay during her youthful days at the age of 21. Spanning across genres from ballads to hip hop, it boasts humor, wisdom, and exceptional songwriting that encapsulates a significant portion of what American music embodies.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (Album, Kanye West, 2010 – Rap/Hip Hop)

It’s hard to imagine a comprehensive list of influential American music from the last few decades without the inclusion of Eminem (or Ye). Kanye West’s album, “MBDTF,” is an extravagant, larger-than-life production that encapsulates many aspects of what makes Hip Hop such a powerful and dominant musical genre in America for over half a century.

Those are my suggestions. You can get info on offering your own at the Registry’s website.

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2025-04-20 15:30

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