2026 National Recording Registry includes Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Ray Charles, and more artists.

The National Recording Registry recently added new recordings to their collection that represent a diverse mix of musical genres, including jazz, rock, pop, country, R&B, and Broadway. Among the latest additions are iconic works by artists like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Ray Charles, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Paul Anka, and the original cast album of “Chicago.”

Taylor Swift’s “1989” album and Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” are some of the newer recordings to be included in this year’s additions. “1989,” released in 2014, marked a significant shift in Swift’s career as she moved away from her country roots. Despite suggestions to include some country songs on the album, Swift aimed to create a sonically cohesive project. The album went on to produce multiple chart-topping hits and received critical acclaim for its unique sound and emotional depth. In 2023, Swift re-recorded and released the album as “1989 (Taylor’s Version).”

The Library of Congress also recognized works by influential artists like The Charlie Daniels Band, Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Rosanne Cash, Chaka Khan, The Go-Go’s, and Oliver Nelson. The additions to the Registry this year cover a wide range of styles, from José Feliciano’s holiday classic “Feliz Navidad” to Weezer’s debut album and The Byrds’ timeless hit “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season).” Video games also found representation in the Registry with the inclusion of the soundtrack of the role-playing game “Doom.”

These latest additions bring the total number of recordings on the National Recording Registry to 700, a small fraction of the Library of Congress’ extensive sound collection. The Registry aims to preserve a rich assortment of audio recordings that capture various aspects of American culture and history for future generations.

The Library encourages music enthusiasts to explore this year’s 25 new additions, which include a diverse array of recordings from different eras and genres. Listeners can delve into the sounds of iconic albums like “Beauty and the Beat” by The Go-Go’s or delve into the history of The Winstons, whose seven-second drum solo in “Amen, Brother” became a widely sampled musical riff in later recordings by artists like N.W.A., Salt-N-Pepa, Aphex Twin, and Oasis.

Each recording added to the National Recording Registry represents a unique and valuable contribution to the cultural tapestry of American music. The diverse mix of genres and artists included in this year’s list showcases the wide-reaching impact of music on our collective heritage, highlighting the importance of preserving these recordings for future generations to enjoy.