by Cedric ‘BIG CED’ Thornton
“The Library of Congress is proud to preserve the sounds of American history and our diverse culture through the National Recording Registry,” Library of Congress’ Carla Hayden said.
Two hip-hop songs from New York City legendary recording artists have been entered into the National Recording Registry.
Other notable artists who made the cut were Johnny Mathis’ “Chances Are” (1957), Lee Morgan’s “The Sidewinder” (1964), Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” (1971), and Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (1988).
The songs that made it were “worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.”
(chronological order)
“Clarinet Marmalade” – Lt. James Reese Europe’s 369th U.S. Infantry Band (1919)
“Kauhavan Polkka” – Viola Turpeinen and John Rosendahl (1928)
Wisconsin Folksong Collection (1937-1946)
“Rose Room” – Benny Goodman Sextet with Charlie Christian (1939)
“Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” – Gene Autry (1949)
“Tennessee Waltz” – Patti Page (1950)
“Rocket ‘88’” – Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats (1951)
“Catch a Falling Star” / ”Magic Moments” – Perry Como (1957)
“Chances Are” – Johnny Mathis (1957)
“The Sidewinder” – Lee Morgan (1964)
“Surrealistic Pillow” – Jefferson Airplane (1967)
“Ain’t No Sunshine” – Bill Withers (1971)
“This is a Recording” – Lily Tomlin (1971)
“J.D. Crowe & the New South” – J.D. Crowe & the New South (1975)
“Arrival” – ABBA (1976)
“El Cantante” – Héctor Lavoe (1978)
“The Cars” – The Cars (1978)
“Parallel Lines” – Blondie (1978)
“La-Di-Da-Di” – Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick (MC Ricky D) (1985)
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” – Bobby McFerrin (1988)
“Amor Eterno” – Juan Gabriel (1990)
“Pieces of Africa” – Kronos Quartet (1992)
“Dookie” – Green Day (1994)
“Ready to Die” – The Notorious B.I.G. (1994)
“Wide Open Spaces” – The Chicks (1998)
Source: Black Enterprise
