Amy Winehouse, Elton John, and ‘Hamilton’ Added to Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry

A significant milestone in the preservation of American music was marked on Wednesday as the Library of Congress welcomed 25 new sound recordings into its National Recording Registry. Among the illustrious entries are Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black, Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and the original cast album of Hamilton. This year’s selection showcases a rich tapestry of audio history, spanning from the early 20th century to contemporary Broadway.

The diverse roster also includes Tracy Chapman’s self-titled 1988 LP, Miles Davis’ groundbreaking Bitches Brew, and Mary J. Blige’s poignant My Life. Iconic tracks such as “Fly Like an Eagle” by the Steve Miller Band, Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On,” and Helen Reddy’s empowering anthem “I Am Woman” further enrich this year’s collection. The range of recordings reflects not only musical evolution but also cultural milestones, with entries dating back to 1913 with the Hawaiian Quintette’s “Aloha ‘Oe” and culminating in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 2015 Broadway sensation.

Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, expressed the significance of these recordings, stating, “These are the sounds of America – our wide-ranging history and culture. The National Recording Registry is our evolving nation’s playlist.” She emphasized the Library’s commitment to preserving these audio treasures, which encompass a variety of genres, field recordings, and even the sounds that shape our daily lives.

Notable Additions to the Registry

This year’s selections include a remarkable array of recordings, such as:

• A radio broadcast of the 1960 World Series’ Game 7, where the Pittsburgh Pirates triumphed over the New York Yankees with Bill Mazeroski’s game-winning home run.
• Keith Jarrett’s acclaimed piano album The Kӧln Concert.
• The Minecraft: Volume Alpha soundtrack from 2011.
• Brian Eno’s iconic Microsoft Windows startup chime, a sound that has become synonymous with the dawn of personal computing.

Elton John, who received the Gershwin Award from the Library of Congress in 2024, reflected on the honor of having Goodbye Yellow Brick Road included in the registry. He remarked, “Nobody really knows what a hit record is. I’m not a formula writer. I didn’t think ‘Bennie and the Jets’ was a hit. I didn’t think ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’ was a hit. And that’s what makes writing so special. You do not know what you’re coming up with and how special it might become.”

Robbin Ahrold, chair of the National Recording Preservation Board, praised this year’s list as an “honor roll of superb American popular music,” highlighting the variety that spans from Hawaii to Nashville and encompasses genres from jazz to Broadway musicals.

Recordings Selected for the National Recording Registry in 2025 (in chronological order)

1. “Aloha ‘Oe” – Hawaiian Quintette (1913) (single)
2. “Sweet Georgia Brown” – Brother Bones & His Shadows (1949) (single)
3. “Happy Trails” – Roy Rogers and Dale Evans (1952) (single)
4. Radio Broadcast of Game 7 of the 1960 World Series – Chuck Thompson (Oct. 13, 1960)
5. Harry Urata Field Recordings (1960-1980)
6. Hello Dummy! – Don Rickles (1968) (album)
7. Chicago Transit Authority – Chicago (1969) (album)
8. Bitches Brew – Miles Davis (1970) (album)
9. “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’” – Charley Pride (1971) (single)
10. “I Am Woman” – Helen Reddy (1972) (single)
11. “El Rey” – Vicente Fernandez (1973) (single)
12. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John (1973) (album)
13. “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” – Freddy Fender (1975) (single)
14. I’ve Got the Music in Me – Thelma Houston & Pressure Cooker (1975) (album)
15. The Kӧln Concert – Keith Jarrett (1975) (album)
16. “Fly Like an Eagle” – Steve Miller Band (1976) (album)
17. Nimrod Workman Collection (1973-1994)
18. Tracy Chapman – Tracy Chapman (1988) (album)
19. My Life – Mary J. Blige (1994) (album)
20. Microsoft Windows Reboot Chime – Brian Eno (1995)
21. “My Heart Will Go On” – Celine Dion (1997) (single)
22. Our American Journey – Chanticleer (2002) (album)
23. Back to Black – Amy Winehouse (2006) (album)
24. Minecraft: Volume Alpha – Daniel Rosenfeld (2011) (album)
25. Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Album) (2015) (album)