Iconic Doom Soundtrack Joins Prestigious Library of Congress Archive

The Library of Congress has announced the addition of the original Doom soundtrack to its National Recording Registry, recognizing its cultural and historical significance. The 2024 class of inductees, announced on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, includes a diverse range of recordings that have shaped American audio heritage.

Among the 25 new entries are iconic works such as:

• Beyoncé’s 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)' (2008)
• Taylor Swift’s '1989' (2014)
• The original soundtrack of the 1993 video game Doom

The National Recording Registry, established by the U.S. Congress in 2000, preserves recordings that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." The Doom soundtrack, composed by Bobby Prince, is celebrated for its groundbreaking use of dynamic music that adapts to gameplay, influencing future video game audio design.

Other notable inductees for 2024 include:

• Nina Simone’s 'Wild Is the Wind' (1966)
• Prince’s 'Purple Rain' (1984)
• Fleetwood Mac’s 'Rumours' (1977)
• Public Enemy’s 'It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back' (1988)
• Selena’s 'Dreaming of You' (1995)

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden stated,

"The National Recording Registry reflects the rich and diverse history of America’s recorded sound heritage. These recordings represent a remarkable range of human experiences, achievements, and creativity."

The selections are chosen by the Library of Congress in consultation with the public and the National Recording Preservation Board. To be eligible, recordings must be at least 10 years old. The full list of 2024 inductees is available on the Library of Congress website.