John Lennon Songs Are Going To The National Recording Registry Class
Portrait of British musician John Lennon (1940 - 1980) (center) and his wife, artist and musician Yoko Ono (extreme left) as they attend an unspecified rally in Hyde Park, London, England, 1975. (Photo by Rowland Scherman/Getty Images)
The Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry is a prestigious collection that preserves the most beloved songs of the United States for future generations. This year, a new class of perennial works is being added to these esteemed ranks, including iconic hits such as Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and John Lennon’s “Imagine.”
Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” soared to the top of the charts in 1985, propelling her to superstardom and becoming an anthem of female empowerment. Mariah Carey’s beloved holiday hit, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” joins the ranks of other timeless Christmas classics in the registry, such as Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” and Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song.” Notably, Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina” is the first reggaeton recording in the registry, highlighting the genre’s cultural significance and impact on music.
New Inductees
Some classic hits are finally receiving their dues, including Lennon’s iconic anthem “Imagine,” Led Zeppelin’s epic ballad “Stairway to Heaven,” Eurythmics’ synth-pop masterpiece “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” and Jimmy Buffett’s laid-back anthem “Margaritaville.” It’s worth noting that “Imagine” is the first song from any of the Beatles’ solo careers to be included in the National Recording Registry, further highlighting the significance and impact of these beloved works.
Diverse Honorees
This list includes Carl Sagan’s audio recording of the space-centric book Pale Blue Dot, the iconic Super Mario Bros. theme song, Queen Latifah’s groundbreaking album All Hail the Queen, The Four Seasons’ chart-topping hit “Sherry,” The Police’s groundbreaking album Synchronicity, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s debut as a four-piece, Déjà Vu.
Each of these works has been recognized as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically important” by the Library of Congress, cementing their significance in American music history. These cherished recordings are preserved in collections nationwide, ensuring their legacy for generations.
