The 2015 inductees into the Library of Congress National Recording Registry are as eclectic as they are decade-spanning.
Among the more famous songs are Billy Joel‘s “Piano Man,” two recordings of “Mack the Knife,” the Supremes’ “Where Did Our Love Go,” and Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”
George Carlin‘s comedy classic “Class Clown” also made it in, as did Metallica’s “Master of Puppets.” The original soundtrack from “A Streetcar Named Desire” joins them, along with fourth-quarter radio coverage of Wilt Chamberlin’s 100-point NBA game.
“These recordings, by a wide range of artists in many genres of music and in spoken word, will be preserved for future listeners,” Acting Librarian of Congress David S. Mao said. “This collection of blues, jazz, rock, country and classical recordings, interspersed with important recordings of sporting events, speeches, radio shows and comedy, helps safeguard the record of what we’ve done and who we are.”
Every year, the librarian selects 25 recordings for inclusion — they must be at least 10 years old. This batch brings the total to 450.
Below is the full list of 2015 entries, in chronological order.
“Let Me Call You Sweetheart”–Columbia Quartette (The Peerless Quartet) (1911)
“Wild Cat Blues”–Clarence Williams’ Blue Five (1923)
“Statesboro Blues”–Blind Willie McTell (1928)
“Bonaparte’s Retreat”–W.H. Stepp (1937)
Mahler Symphony No. 9–Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra; Bruno Walter, conductor. (1938)
“Carousel of American Music”–George M. Cohan, Irving Berlin, Johnny Mercer, Arthur Freed, Shelton Brooks, Hoagy Carmichael, others (September 24, 1940)
“Vic and Sade”–Episode: “Decoration Day.” (June 4, 1937) Radio
The “Marshall Plan” Speech–George C. Marshall (June 5, 1947)
“Destination Freedom”–Episodes: “A Garage in Gainesville” and “Execution Awaited” (September 25, October 2, 1949)
Original soundtrack from “A Streetcar Named Desire”–Alex North, composer. (1951)
“Cry Me a River”–Julie London (1955)
“Mack the Knife” (singles)–Louis Armstrong (1956); Bobby Darin (1959).
Fourth-quarter radio coverage of Wilt Chamberlin’s 100-point game (Philadelphia Warriors vs. New York Knicks)–Bill Campbell, announcer (March 2, 1962)
“A Love Supreme”–John Coltrane (1964)
“It’s My Way”–Buffy Sainte-Marie (1964) (album)
“Where Did Our Love Go” (single)–The Supremes (1964)
“People Get Ready” (single)–The Impressions (1965)
“Mama Tried” (single)–Merle Haggard (1968)
“Abraxas”–Santana (1970)
“Class Clown”–George Carlin (1972)
“Robert and Clara Schumann Complete Piano Trios”–The Beaux Arts Trio (1972)
“Piano Man” (single)–Billy Joel (1973)
“Bogalusa Boogie”–Clifton Chenier (1976)
“I Will Survive”–Gloria Gaynor (1978)
“Master of Puppets”–Metallica (1986)