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What Would You Put Into The All Time Radio/Recording Archive List?
Almost everybody has a record collection of some kind. But no one has one quite like the U.S. Library of Congress. Every year, the government organization picks 25 songs or audio works that are deemed worthy of archiving for posterity.
On March 25th, they revealed the choices for 2019. And what an eclectic list, some of which may make you question how they made the selections.
Among the inductees:
-Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell
-Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh by Allan Sherman
-WGBH Boston broadcasting The Boston Symphony at the moment John F. Kennedy’s assassination was confirmed
-Mr. Rogers singing kids songs
-Fiddler on the Roof (Original Broadway LP)
-What’s Love Got To Do With It? By Tina Turner
-Cheap Trick at Budokan and for some reason,
-YMCA by The Village People
There are also some curious picks, like “Make The World Go Away” by Eddy Arnold, which seems to have been chosen simply because it was a country easy listening song that achieved chart success during the height of the British Invasion.
And then there’s the Shot Heard Round The World, the Russ Hodges radio call of Bobby Thompson’s infamous home run that had him screaming “The Giants Win The Pennant! The Giants Win The Pennant!”
You can see the entire list here if you’re curious, but unfortunately, you can’t hear a lot of it. Due to copyright concerns, the Library doesn’t post most of the stuff online, although they admit it may be available on the web from other sources, like the Internet Archive and YouTube.
They began making the choices in 2002, and you can see the complete inductees list here.
Those singled out for posterity - which also includes opera and classical selections, a Fireside Chat by FDR, and even old cylinder recordings - including one from the late 1850s - certainly offer a variety of the recorded medium, from records to radio. Boy would I love to spend an afternoon in that place! (Although I once did visit the Museum of Broadcasting in New York City and was confronted with so many choices, I didn't know what to watch first!)
Registry Highlights the Sounds We Love to Hear
- John D
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Re: What Would You Put Into The All Time Radio/Recording Archive List?
Be careful RA. Make The World Go Away is one of my wife's all time favourite songs. Just sayin'.
Last edited by John D (April 19, 2020 10:45 am)
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Re: What Would You Put Into The All Time Radio/Recording Archive List?
Well, she can take comfort in knowing that the Library of Congress thought so, too! Here's their explanation for the choice:
"Make the World Go Away" brought veteran country hitmaker Eddy Arnold to a new, younger audience and launched what he called his second career. The recording showcased songwriter Hank Cochran's memorable melody and plaintive lyrics, Arnold's mellow baritone vocal and the tasteful backing of such Nashville session stalwarts as guitarist Grady Martin, pianist Floyd Cramer and the Anita Kerr Singers, along with an eight-piece string section.
"Make the World Go Away" was a prime example of the "Countrypolitan" style of country music and one of the high-water marks of the Nashville sound that producer Chet Atkins and others had pioneered. Released in the fall of 1965, it became an unexpected presence in the national top 10 alongside the Beatles, James Brown and Dean Martin at a time when few other country artists or songs were crossing over to the pop charts."
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Thread Starter- Dale Patterson
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Re: What Would You Put Into The All Time Radio/Recording Archive List?
=12px>> YMCA by The Village People
You must be kidding.
"Life without echo is really no life at all." - Dan Ingram
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Re: What Would You Put Into The All Time Radio/Recording Archive List?
Here's their reasoning, for whatever it's worth.
"In 1977, the Village People emerged as a purposely campy and extravagantly costumed vocal sextet of guys — the Native American, the cop, the biker, the soldier, the cowboy and the construction worker — singing upbeat dance floor anthems that often referenced gay pop culture.
"Now, over 40 years since it hit the streets and the dance floors, "Y.M.C.A.," their biggest hit, is an American cultural phenomenon people from all walks of life do the "Y.M.C.A." dance at weddings, Bar Mitzvahs or sporting events. It is as likely to be heard at a Midwestern prom as it is at New York City's annual Gay Pride parade.
"Back in its heyday, "Y.M.C.A." was a hit around the world, going to No. 1 on the charts in over 15 countries, and its ongoing popularity is evidence that, despite the naysayers, disco has never truly died."
"Disco has never truly died?" I'm sorry it ever lived, but that's just me...
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Thread Starter- mace
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Re: What Would You Put Into The All Time Radio/Recording Archive List?
The "Disco Sucks" T-Shirt was quite popular in the late 70's and those in southwestern Ontario might remember the D.R.E.A.D. card created by Jim Johnson when he did morning drive at WRIF. It stood for Detroit Rockers Engaged in the Abolition of Disco. The Saturday Night Cleaver on the card was amusing. It depicted an axe slicing through a Disco record.