“My Girl†is now in our national registry. The Temptations song — along with Fleetwood Mac’s album Rumours, the Sound of Music soundtrack, Run-DMC’s Raising Hell, and more — are among the latest 25 selections to the National Recording Registry. “This annual celebration of recorded sound reminds us of our varied and remarkable American experience,†said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, according to Variety. “The unique trinity of historic, cultural and aesthetic significance reflected in the National Recording Registry each year is an opportunity for reflection on landmark moments, diverse cultures and shared memories — all reflected in our recorded soundscape.†The recordings must be at least ten years old (we’ll have to wait a few years for the Phantom Thread score). The 2017 additions bring the registry’s total to 500 albums and songs.
“Dream Melody Intermezzo: Naughty Marietta†(single), Victor Herbert and his Orchestra (1911)
Standing Rock Preservation Recordings, George Herzog and Members of the Yanktoni Tribe (1928)
“Lamento Borincano†(single), Canario y Su Grupo (1930)
“Sitting on Top of the World†(single), Mississippi Sheiks (1930)
The Complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas (album), Artur Schnabel (1932-1935)
“If I Didn’t Care†(single), The Ink Spots (1939)
Proceedings of the United Nations Conference on International Organization (4/25/45-6/26/45)
“Folk Songs of the Hills†(album), Merle Travis (1946)
“How I Got Over†(single), Clara Ward and the Ward Singers (1950)
“(We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock†(single), Bill Haley and His Comets (1954)
“Calypso†(album), Harry Belafonte (1956)
“I Left My Heart in San Francisco†(single), Tony Bennett (1962)
“King Biscuit Time†(radio), Sonny Boy Williamson II and others (1965)
“My Girl†(single), The Temptations (1964)
“The Sound of Music†(soundtrack), Various (1965)
“Alice’s Restaurant Massacree†(single), Arlo Guthrie (1967)
“New Sounds in Electronic Music†(album), Steve Reich, Richard Maxfield, Pauline Oliveros (1967)
“An Evening with Groucho†(album), Groucho Marx (1972)
“Rumours,†(album), Fleetwood Mac (1977)
“The Gambler†(single), Kenny Rogers (1978)
“Le Freak†(single), Chic (1978)
“Footloose†(single), Kenny Loggins (1984) remake released in 2011.
“Raising Hell†(album), Run-DMC (1986)
“Rhythm Is Gonna Get You†(single), Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine (1987)
“Yo-Yo Ma Premieres: Concertos for Violoncello and Orchestra†(album), Various (1996)