National Recording Registry Adds Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Ray Charles and More. See the 2026 List.
The 2026 class includes 25 titles, and public nominators submitted more than 3,000 entries, the Library of Congress said.
- On Thursday, Acting Librarian of Congress Robert Newlen announced 25 recordings joining the National Recording Registry, including Taylor Swift's 2014 album "1989" and Beyoncé's 2008 hit "Single Ladies ."
- The Librarian selects 25 titles annually with advice from the National Recording Preservation Board, choosing recordings deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and at least 10 years old.
- Other inductees include Spike Jones and His City Slickers' 1944 single "Cocktails for Two" and Ray Charles' "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music." The 25 new entries bring the Registry total to 700 titles.
- Rosanne Cash's 1993 album "The Wheel" was honored 23 years after her father Johnny Cash's 1968 album "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison," marking the first father-daughter duo inducted into the Registry.
- Robbin Ahrold, chair of the National Recording Preservation Board, said the selections capture the "scope of the American experience" as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary. Public nominations for next year are accepted until October 1.
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Beyoncé and Taylor Swift Join National Recording Registry
Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, two of the world's reigning pop superstars, have never recorded together, but their voices will soon sit side by side in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.
Weezer, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé to have recordings preserved in Library of Congress
Today, the Library of Congress announced its annual selection of 25 sound recordings the National Recording Registry will preserve, including Spike Jones, Ray Charles, Paul Anka, Chaka Khan, the Go-Go’s, Rosanne Cash, Weezer, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift. Every year since 2002, the Library of Congress has chosen 25 exemplary records to be archived at the NRR. The only criteria for recordings is that they are at least ten years old, that a copy of t…
Library of Congress Adds Beyoncé, Chaka Khan, Ray Charles And More To 2026 National Recording Registry
By Shelby Stewart ·Updated May 14, 2026 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… Every year, the National Recording Registry makes annual selections to be entered into the Library of Congress after advising with curators and the National Recording Preservation Board. When you think of the National Recording Registry, naturally, music comes to mind. However, the Library of Congress hosts a wealth of other recordings including broadcast sporting e…
Taylor Swift’s ‘1989,’ Beyoncé’s ‘Single Ladies’ and Records From Ray Charles, the Go-Go’s, Byrds, Weezer, Reba and More Inducted Into National Recording Registry
Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, the Go-Go's, Weezer and Ray Charles are among artists with records added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.
Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Chaka Khan among 25 artists added to National Recording Registry
They were among the 25 recordings entering the archive in the class of 2026, acting Librarian of Congress Robert Newlen announced Thursday. The selections were chosen for their “cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.”
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