National Recording Registry 2025: Musicians Break Down Their Iconic Hits

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announces the annual selection of 25 inductees for the National Recording Registry for 2025. This year, the inductees cover a broad timeline: starting in 1913 with the beloved song "Aloha 'Oe" which was composed by a Hawaiian Queen, a collection of folk music from the mines of West Virginia by Nimrod Workman, a riotous album from the master of insults, comedian Don Rickles, up to the most recent inductee, "Hamilton" with the original cast from 2015. There are now 675 sound recordings in the National Recording Registry, with this year's class including innovative musicians such as jazz fusion artist Miles Davis, country barrier breaker Charley Pride, crossover artist Freddy Fender and power ballad legend Celine Dion. This year's inductees are also marked with the powerful impact of Latino artists, including Mexican icon "The King of Ranchera" Vicente Fernández. We sat down for conversations with Steve Miller, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Mary J. Blige, Tracy Chapman and two members from the band Chicago, James Pankow and Lee Loughnane, to hear what inspired their memorable hits which made it on the National Recording Registry this year.

For more information, visit https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-11662