Library of Congress adds 'Piano Man,' 'I Will Survive' to national archives

WASHINGTON, March 23 (UPI) -- Billy Joel's "Piano Man" and Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" are among the 25 recordings added to the National Recording Registry for 2015.

The songs, alongside others including two versions of Kurt Weill's "Mack the Knife" by Louis Armstrong and Bobby Darin and sports commentary by Wilt Chamberlain, will be preserved and recognized as important pieces of American history in the Library of Congress.

"These recordings, by a wide range of artists in many genres of music and in spoken word, will be preserved for future listeners," said acting Librarian of Congress David S. Mao in a statement Wednesday.

"This collection of blues, jazz, rock, country and classical recordings, interspersed with important recordings of sporting events, speeches, radio shows and comedy, helps safeguard the record of what we've done and who we are."

Upon hearing her iconic song will be added into the Library's archives, Gloria Gaynor called "I Will Survive" her "mantra" and said it is at the core of her "God-given purpose."

"It is my privilege and honor to use it to inspire people around the world of every nationality, race, creed, color and age group to join me as I sing and live in the words: 'I Will Survive,'" she said.

The registry selections for 2015 were all recorded between 1911 and 1986, the Library of Congress noted. Among them are rock group Santana's song "Abraxas," Clarence Williams' 1923 blues song "Wild Cat Blues" and Blind Willie McTell's 1928 song "Statesboro Blues."

Julie London's "Cry Me A River" from 1955 was also added, alongside a speech from George Marshall outlining the Marshall Plan to restore Europe and a saxophone instrumental by John Coltrane titled "A Love Supreme."

Merle Haggard's 1968 song "Mamma Tried" joins the registry as well, along with Clifton Chenier's 1976 "Bogalusa Boogie," Buffy Sainte-Marie's "It's My Way," George Carlin's comedy album Class Clown and Metallica's Master of Puppets.

A recording once thought lost from the 1940 performance at the Golden Gate International Exposition has also been added. A fiddle song called "Bonaparte's Retreat" and two episodes of the radio show "Destination Freedom" have also been added.

A complete list of 2015's National Recording Registry is below:

"Let Me Call You Sweetheart" -- Columbia Quartette (The Peerless Quartet) (1911)
"Wild Cat Blues" -- Clarence Williams' Blue Five (1923)
"Statesboro Blues" -- Blind Willie McTell (1928)
"Bonaparte's Retreat" -- W.H. Stepp (1937)
Mahler Symphony No. 9 -- Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra; Bruno Walter, conductor. (1938)
"Carousel of American Music" -- George M. Cohan, Irving Berlin, Johnny Mercer, Arthur Freed, Shelton Brooks, Hoagy Carmichael, others (September 24, 1940)
"Vic and Sade" -- Episode: "Decoration Day." (June 4, 1937) Radio
The "Marshall Plan" Speech -- George C. Marshall (June 5, 1947)
"Destination Freedom" -- Episodes: "A Garage in Gainesville" and "Execution Awaited" (September 25, October 2, 1949)
Original soundtrack from "A Streetcar Named Desire" -- Alex North, composer. (1951)
"Cry Me a River" -- Julie London (1955)
"Mack the Knife" (singles) -- Louis Armstrong (1956); Bobby Darin (1959)
Fourth-quarter radio coverage of Wilt Chamberlin's 100-point game (Philadelphia Warriors vs. New York Knicks) -- Bill Campbell, announcer (March 2, 1962)
"A Love Supreme" -- John Coltrane (1964)
It's My Way -- Buffy Sainte-Marie (1964) (album)
"Where Did Our Love Go" (single) -- The Supremes (1964)
"People Get Ready" (single) -- The Impressions (1965)
"Mama Tried" (single) -- Merle Haggard (1968)
"Abraxas" -- Santana (1970)
"Class Clown" -- George Carlin (1972)
"Robert and Clara Schumann Complete Piano Trios" -- The Beaux Arts Trio (1972)
"Piano Man" (single) -- Billy Joel (1973)
"Bogalusa Boogie" -- Clifton Chenier (1976)
"I Will Survive" -- Gloria Gaynor (1978)
Master of Puppets -- Metallica (1986)