Taylor Swift '1989' added to registry

Taylor Swift’s 2014 album “1989” was added to the National Recording Registry on May 14, the Library of Congress said, placing one of the singer’s biggest commercial releases into the federal archive of recordings preserved for their cultural, historical or aesthetic significance. Acting Librarian of Congress Robert Newlen announced 25 new selections for 2026, a class that also includes Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” The Go-Go’s “Beauty and the Beat,” Weezer’s debut album and the soundtrack from the video game “Doom.” The Library said the 2026 additions bring the registry to 700 titles. It said the archive represents a small portion of the institution’s recorded sound collection of nearly 4 million items. ### When was “1989” added, and by whom? The Library of Congress announced the 2026 National Recording Registry class on May 14, not May 13, according to its newsroom release. Newlen, the acting librarian, said 25 recordings were selected this year as “audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time” based on their place in the nation’s recorded sound heritage. (newsroom.loc.gov) The 2026 class marks the first time a recording by Swift has been chosen for the registry, the Library said. It also marks the first registry selection for Beyoncé, according to the same release. ### What exactly is the National Recording Registry? (newsroom.loc.gov) The National Recording Registry is a Library of Congress program that selects 25 recordings each year to highlight the range and diversity of American recorded sound heritage. The Library says the program is intended to increase preservation awareness and draw attention to long-term audio preservation. (newsroom.loc.gov) Under the selection criteria described by the Library, a recording must be at least 10 years old and a copy must exist somewhere to be eligible. The Library says recordings chosen for the registry are those considered culturally, historically or aesthetically important, and they can include music, spoken word, broadcast sound and other audio. (loc.gov) ### Why was “1989” eligible this year? “1989” was released in 2014, which put it past the registry’s 10-year minimum by 2026. The Library’s rules say no recording is eligible until 10 years after its creation. The Library’s announcement described “1989” as Swift’s “transformative pop album.” The release did not include a separate curatorial essay for the 2026 class at the time of publication, but the selection itself places the album among recordings the Library says are defining sounds of U.S. history and culture. (loc.gov) (newsroom.loc.gov) ### Which other recordings joined Swift in the 2026 class? Beyoncé, The Go-Go’s, Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Ray Charles, Chaka Khan, Rosanne Cash and José Feliciano were among the artists named in the 2026 registry announcement. The Library also selected Broadway’s original cast album of “Chicago,” Paul Anka’s “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” Gladys Knight and the Pips’ “Midnight Train to Georgia,” and “Doom,” which it said was the third video game music selection in registry history. (newsroom.loc.gov) The 2026 class spans 70 years of music and recorded sound, the Library said. The earliest recording in this year’s group is Spike Jones and His City Slickers’ “Cocktails for Two” from 1944, according to the announcement. ### How much public input goes into these picks? (newsroom.loc.gov) The Library of Congress said the public submitted more than 3,000 nominations for this year’s registry. It said Weezer was among the most-nominated selections in 2026. The Library also says anyone can submit nominations and that individuals may nominate up to 50 recordings each year through its online process. (newsroom.loc.gov) Final selections are made by the Librarian of Congress with advice from the National Recording Preservation Board, according to the program’s rules. ### Where can readers check the list and what comes next? (newsroom.loc.gov) The Library of Congress maintains a registry page with the annual selections, a complete listing of inducted recordings and nomination information for future years. The site also says it cannot post sample audio for most selections because of copyright restrictions, though some clips are available through linked resources. (loc.gov) The next public step is the nomination cycle for future classes. The Library says everyone is welcome to submit nominations through the registry portal, and the full 2026 class announced on May 14 is now listed through its Recording Registry pages. (loc.gov)