Now that Facebook is a publicly traded company and wealth and prosperity have officially returned to every corner of the U.S.A., the government can get back to more important things, like putting together a killer mix tape for tomorrow’s Thirsty Thursday flippy cup party in the Library of Congress basement. Or, to put it a completely different way, the Library of Congress announced the addition of 25 new “cultural, artistic and/or historical treasures” to its National Recording Registry of, y’know, “cultural, artistic and/or historical treasures.” See, under the terms of something called the “National Recording Preservation Act of 2000,” the Library’s National Recording Preservation Board (NRPB) is tasked with selecting 25 recordings each year that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and are at least 10 years old (you’ll get ‘em next year, The Postal Service!). In addition to shaming the fuck out of our lame TMT mix tapes about whatever boyfriend you can’t get over, this year’s party-starting list of entries brings the total number of recordings to 350. And yes, naturally, any piece of music not included among these 350 is a complete piece of Communist shit.
“America’s sound heritage is an important part of the nation’s history and culture and this year’s selections reflect the diversity and creativity of the American experience,” says great-name-having librarian James H. Billington. “These songs, words and natural sounds must be preserved for future generations.” And, pray tell, just what songs, words, burps, and farts is he talking about? Well, they range from Thomas Edison’s 1888 recording of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and some significant 1930s interviews compiled under the title “Voices from the Days of Slavery” to more modern Ameri-jams like Booker T. & the MG’s “Green Onions,” Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love,” Prince’s “Purple Rain,” and Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight.” Check out the entire list (ordered chronologically) below, read more about the individual entries here, and nominate your old high school punk band for next year here. (Mine was called Your Mother For $ale. Fingers crossed!)
2012 National Recording Registry (in chronological order)
01. Edison Talking Doll cylinder (1888)
02. “Come Down Ma Evenin’ Star,” Lillian Russell (1912)
03. “Ten Cents a Dance,” Ruth Etting (1930)
04. “Voices from the Days of Slavery,” Various speakers (1932-1941 interviews; 2002 compilation)
05. “I Want to Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart,” Patsy Montana (1935)
06. “Fascinating Rhythm,” Sol Hoopii and his Novelty Five (1938)
07. “Artistry in Rhythm,” Stan Kenton & and his Orchestra (1943)
08. Debut performance with the New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein (Nov. 14, 1943)
09. International Sweethearts of Rhythm: Hottest Women’s Band of the 1940s (1944-1946)
10. “The Indians for Indians Hour” (March 25, 1947)
11. “Hula Medley,” Gabby Pahinui (1947)
12. “I Can Hear It Now,” Fred W. Friendly and Edward R. Murrow (1948)
13. “Let’s Go Out to the Programs,” The Dixie Hummingbirds (1953)
14. “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1954, 1958)
15. “Bo Diddley” and “I’m a Man,” Bo Diddley (1955)
16. “Green Onions,” Booker T. & the M.G.’s (1962)
17. “Forever Changes,” Love (1967)
18. “The Continental Harmony: Music of William Billings,” Gregg Smith Singers (1969)
19. “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Vince Guaraldi Trio (1970)
20. “Coat of Many Colors,” Dolly Parton (1971)
21. “Mothership Connection,” Parliament (1975)
22. Barton Hall concert by the Grateful Dead (May 8, 1977)
23. “I Feel Love,” Donna Summer (1977)
24. “Rapper’s Delight,” Sugarhill Gang (1979)
25. “Purple Rain,” Prince and the Revolution (1984)
• Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/index.html
