Each year the US Library of Congress selects 25 recordings to be inducted into the National Recording Registry. This year marks the 13th year of the Library’s annual selections, and the new batch of inclusions is notable for a variety of different reasons. You can see the full list here, but a couple stood out for me.
- The single ‘Stand by Me’ by Ben E. King. Apparently inspired by a gospel song, with one of the best-known basslines in recording history. Not to mention the lyrics. And brilliantly used by Saatchi & Saatchi for Steinlager – Who Are Still ‘Standing By’ the All Blacks.
- Joan Baez’s inclusion in the selection was acknowledged by TIME with a piece that revisits a November 1962 story on the folk movement.
- ‘You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling’ by the Righteous Brothers. They transcended pop and rhythm and blues with a string of Top 40 radio hits that still get everyone singing along.
- And who would miss out The Doors.
To see the full list of recordings, and recordings preserved by year, visit the Library of Congress website here.
