Celebrating American Music

This year, a diverse array of recordings covering genres such as jazz, rock, pop, country, and Broadway have been acknowledged for their artistic and cultural contributions. Among the new entries are:

• Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
• Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On
• Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black
• The original Broadway cast album of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton
• Helen Reddy’s empowering anthem, I Am Woman

The induction of these recordings helps preserve them for future generations, raising the total number of titles in the Registry to 675 within the Library of Congress’ extensive collection of nearly four million recorded items.

Noteworthy Additions

This year’s selections illustrate the vastness of American music and sound, including:

• The debut albums from Chicago and Tracy Chapman
• Sweet Georgia Brown by Brother Bones & His Shadows
• The pivotal Kӧln Concert by jazz pianist Keith Jarrett
• Don Rickles’ standup album, Hello Dummy!
• The historic radio broadcast of Game 7 of the 1960 World Series

Among the honorees, the oldest recording is the Hawaiian Quintette’s rendition of Aloha ‘Oe from 1913, showcasing the Registry’s commitment to preserving America’s musical history.

Voices of Different Eras

Robbin Ahrold, chair of the National Recording Preservation Board, hailed the 2025 additions as “an honor roll of superb American popular music,” reflecting the nation’s rich and diverse auditory legacy. The public contributed over 2,600 nominations this year, with Chicago’s debut topping the list.

Here are some further notable entries:

• Back to Black by Amy Winehouse (2006) – Celebrated for its emotional depth and chart-topping hits.
• I Am Woman by Helen Reddy (1972) – A feminist anthem that resonated widely.
• The Kӧln Concert by Keith Jarrett (1975) – The best-selling solo jazz album ever recorded.
• My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion (1997) – The iconic theme from Titanic that won numerous accolades.

Impact and Legacy

The 2025 National Recording Registry inductees not only highlight musical talent but also capture pivotal moments in American history and culture. The Registry serves to safeguard the sounds that have shaped our society and continue to inspire future artists.

For more details on this year’s inductees or to learn how to submit a nomination for future additions, visit the Library of Congress website.