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Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Ray Charles, and More Added to National Recording Registry

The Library of Congress has enriched its National Recording Registry with 25 new historic audio treasures, including Taylor Swift's "1989" and Beyoncé's "Single Ladies." The annual additions feature a diverse range of albums, singles, and b

Variety Music·May 14, 2026·via Variety Music

Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Ray Charles, and More Added to National Recording Registry

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May 14, 2026 8:51am PT

Taylor Swift’s ‘1989,’ Beyoncé’s ‘Single Ladies’ and Records From Ray Charles, the Go-Go’s, Byrds, Weezer, Reba and More Inducted Into National Recording Registry

By Chris Willman

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Chris Willman

Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic

ChrisWillman

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The National Recording Registry , the list of historic audio treasures compiled and added to annually by the Library of Congress , is now 25 entries richer with the addition of 25 albums, singles or broadcasts that run the gamut from Taylor Swift ‘s “1989” and Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” back to Paul Anka, Ray Charles and Ruth Brown.

The Recording Registry spans the entire history of recorded sound, but only rarely does the Library of Congress see fit to induct recordings made as recently as the 21st century, so the Swift and Beyoncé entries are in rare company, being the only inductees released since 2000. The oldest entry on this year’s list is Spike Jones and His City Slickers’ novelty record “Cocktails for Two,” from 1944.