Beyoncé And Taylor Swift Made History Together
The Library of Congress has announced its 25 newest additions to the National Recording Registry, and for the first time in history, recordings by both Beyoncé and Taylor Swift have been deemed worthy of permanent preservation as part of the nation's recorded sound heritage. Beyoncé's 2008 cultural juggernaut "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" and Taylor Swift's career-transforming 2014 album "1989" join 23 other recordings that the Library describes as audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance. The class of 2026 spans an extraordinary range, from Spike Jones' "Cocktails for Two" recorded in 1944 to the video game soundtrack to Doom, and includes Reba McEntire's "Rumor Has It," the Go-Go's debut album "Beauty and the Beat," Chaka Khan's recording of Prince's "I Feel for You," Weezer's beloved debut, Feliz Navidad, and the original Broadway cast album of Chicago. The additions bring the Registry's total to 700 recordings.
The class of 2026 also made history in another quiet and beautiful way: Rosanne Cash's 1993 album "The Wheel" was inducted more than 20 years after her father Johnny Cash's "At Folsom Prison" joined the Registry in 2003, making them the first father and daughter duo to both be represented in the collection. The Library of Congress noted that the sweep of this year's selections beautifully captures the scope of the American experience as the country celebrates its 250th anniversary, and that the list reflects how music crosses every line that divides people while still carrying the distinct sound of a particular time and place. This year's public nominations topped 3,000, with Weezer drawing some of the loudest fan support. The Acting Librarian of Congress said music and recorded sound are essential parts of daily life and national heritage, and that preserving this year's class ensures the sounds that shaped American culture will be there for generations who have not been born yet to discover them.
