Every year, the Librarian of Congress meets with the Library's National Recording Preservation Board to choose 25 recordings worthy of induction—of the 25, U2's landmark LP The Joshua Tree, the Everly Brothers' "Cathy's Clown," Isaac Hayes' legendary Shaft theme song, Jeff Buckley's beautiful version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," Linda Ronstadt's Heart Like a Wheel LP and Creedence Clearwater Revival's Vietnam War protest chorale "Fortunate Son,” all made the list.
The 25 songs chosen are all seen as "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant,” according to Rolling Stone.
“These recordings represent an important part of America’s culture and history,” said Librarian of Congress James H. Billington in a statement of the Library of Congress website. “As technology continually changes and formats become obsolete, we must ensure that our nation’s aural legacy is protected. The National Recording Registry is at the core of this effort.”
In order to be considered for induction, the song must be at least ten years of age. When the Librarian of Congress and the Library’s National Recording Preservation Board meet, they select 25 songs with the versions with crisp quality stowed away at Culpeper, Virginia’s Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation. The 25 chosen this year, were created online based off of public as well as NRPB submissions. The collection at the registry grew 400 recordings larger with the new submissions.
Songs aren’t the only types of recordings inducted into the Library of Congress—inductees are also mad eup of a 1962 comedy LP which cracks jokes at the Kennedy family, presidential conversations with Lyndon B. Johnson, field recordings and interviews.