A Historic First: Swift, Beyoncé, Khan & Gill Enter the National Recording Registry

Pop icons and genre legends join America’s audio canon in 2026 for the first time

On May 14, 2026, the Library of Congress added Taylor Swift’s album 1989, Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” Chaka Khan’s “I Feel for You,” and Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High on That Mountain” to the National Recording Registry—the first time Swift and Beyoncé have been included. This landmark inclusion underscores their cultural impact and the evolving scope of America’s preserved sound heritage.

A Milestone in Musical Preservation

On May 14, 2026, acting Librarian of Congress Robert Newlen announced the induction of 25 recordings into the National Recording Registry, including Taylor Swift’s 2014 album 1989, Beyoncé’s 2008 anthem “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” Chaka Khan’s 1984 crossover hit “I Feel for You,” and Vince Gill’s 1994 ballad “Go Rest High on That Mountain.” These selections reflect the Registry’s mandate to preserve recordings of “cultural, historical or aesthetic importance” .

First-Time Inductions for Swift and Beyoncé

This year marks the first time recordings by Taylor Swift and Beyoncé have been recognized by the Registry . Swift’s 1989, the most recent recording in the 2026 class, represents a turning point in her career—her full embrace of synth-pop and global stardom . Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” has become emblematic of late-2000s pop culture, its choreography and messaging still resonating across generations .