See the 25 Recordings the Library of Congress Will Preserve
See the 25 Recordings the Library of Congress Will Preserve
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The Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" was among the most-played songs of the 20th century on radio and television. (Polydor/Library of Congress)Polydor/Library of Congress
The Doors' self-titled 1967 debut album featured the hit "Light My Fire" as well as the 12-minute Oedipal drama "The End." (Elektra/Library of Congress)Elektra/Library of CongressLyricist Johnny Mercer's own take on his peppy sermon, “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," was more popular than a version released by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters that same month. (Capitol Records/Library of Congress)Capitol Records/Library of CongressOn "Songs of the Old Regular Baptists," the Kentucky choir sings a once-popular style of hymn in a call-and-response style. (Smithsonian Folkways/Library of Congress)Smithsonian Folkways/Library of CongressA collection of 101 homemade recordings from the 1893 Chicago World's Fair features world music from special international "villages," including some of the earliest know recordings of non-Western styles such as Javanese Gamelan. (Chicago History Museum/Getty Images)Chicago History Museum/Getty ImagesThe self-titled debut album of folk singer Joan Baez was a key part of the folk revival movement in the 1960s. (William Claxton—Library of Congress)William Claxton—Library of CongressThe 1953 double-album "John Brown's Body" was a landmark recording of a theater project about the Civil War. (Columbia Masterworks/Library of Congress)Columbia Masterworks/Library of CongressSweet Emma Barrett and the Preservation Hall Jazz band, veterans of New Orleans jazz, performed before a live audience on this 1964 album, which helped spark a revival of interest in the older style. (Preservation Hall/Library of Congress)Preservation Hall/Library of CongressA five-part composition written between 1986 and 1993 by composer Jaon Tower, "Fanfares for the Common Woman" celebrated women in music. (KOCH International/Library of Congress)KOCH International/Library of CongressRadiohead's 1997 alt-rock album "OK Computer" was an instant classic due to its complex blend of different musical styles. (Capitol Records/Library of Congress)Capitol Records/Library of CongressA collection of rare homemade recordings made from the 1890s to the 1910s housed at the University of California, Santa Barbara features families singing, people telling jokes and even the sounds of barnyard animals.Museum of Science and Industry/Getty ImagesBlind Lemon Jefferson's rural style of the blues, captured on a 1928 single "Black Snake Moan" / "Match Box Blues" was influential in broadening the genre. (GAB Archive/Redferns/Getty Images)GAB Archive/Redferns/Getty ImagesIrish fiddler Michael Coleman, who moved to New York City in 1914, brought new respect to traditional Irish music with his highly skilled playing. (Viva Voce/Library of Congress)Viva Voce/Library of CongressSteve Martin's 1978 comedy album "A Wild and Crazy Guy" was notable for eschewing formulaic jokes and for bits like "King Tut." (Warner Records/Library of Congress)Warner Records/Library of CongressThe 1959 recording of the gospel classic "Mary Don't You Weep" broke new ground musically and became an anthem of the civil rights movement. (Vee-Jay Records/Library of Congress)Vee-Jay Records/Library of CongressTrumpeter Chet Baker was a featured player on the Gerry Mulligan Quartet's live performance of jazz standard "My Funny Valentine," a powerful West Coast cool jazz classic. (Library of Congress)Library of CongressRadio coverage of the 1945 funeral of President Franklin D. Roosevelt featured veteran broadcaster Arthur Godfrey breaking down emotionally. (George Tames—Library of Congress)George Tames—Library of CongressAfter the breakup of the Fugees, Lauryn Hill released an acclaimed 1998 solo album that fused soul, R&B, rap and reggae. (Lauryn Hill/Library of Congress)Lauryn Hill/Library of CongressCole Porter's first musical to integrate songs and the storyline was a retelling of Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew." (Library of Congress)Library of CongressThe musicians behind "Sesame Street" strived to write inventive, humorous songs such as "Rubber Duckie" and "C is for Cookie" that both children and adults could enjoy. (Library of Congress)Library of CongressReleased as a B-side, Tennessee Ernie Ford's cover of "Sixteen Tons" stood out among more lighthearted country songs of the 1950s. (Library of Congress)Library of CongressSly and the Family Stone's 1969 album Stand! was an important influence on soul and funk and is among the most sampled records of all time. (Epic Records/Library of Congress)Epic Records/Library of CongressThe Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" was among the most-played songs of the 20th century on radio and television. (Polydor/Library of Congress)Polydor/Library of CongressInspired by a gospel song, Ben E. King's "Stand by Me" was among the most broadcast songs of the 20th century. (Rhino Records/Library of Congress) Rhino Records/Library of CongressOrson Welles once called "Sorry, Wrong Number," an episode of the "Suspense" radio series, the single greatest radio script ever written. (Decca/Library of Congress)Decca/Library of Congress