Juan Gabriel’s “Amor Eterno” Added to Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry

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One of the late Juan Gabriel’s most iconic songs is being preserved…

The Library of Congress has added the late Mexican singer/songwriter’s “Amor Eterno” to its National Recording Registry, which designates recordings worthy of preservation “based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.”

Juan GabrielGabriel’s heartrending ballad, which he wrote the in memory of his deceased mother, has long been a staple in the singer’s native Mexico and across Latin America.

Gabriel died in 2016 at the age of 66, but his son, Ivan Gabriel Aguilera, said his father would have been thrilled to see one of his most famous songs be enshrined in the registry. Aguilera talked with the Library about the song’s induction into the registry in Spanish.

“I believe that future generations – that’s what he always wanted – that they see his music and make it relatable to their lives as well. He would always say that ‘as long as the public, people, keep singing my music, Juan Gabriel will never die,’ and it’s nice to see that happening here,” Aguilera said. “It’s something wonderful for us. It’s such a great honor. It’s a great honor for my dad. I think that for his legacy it is something great. As you say, he’s going to be immortalized there in the Library of Congress.”

But Juan Gabriel isn’t the only Latinx artist to have a song added to this year’s registry.

The late Héctor Lavoe’s 1978 single “El Cantante” was also among the 25 songs selected.

“El Cantante” is the signature song of the late Puerto Rican salsa singer and first single of the album Comedia. The song was written by Rubén Blades and produced by Willie Colón. 

The 2006 movie about Lavoe’s life starring Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez, El Cantante, takes its title from the song.

Among the 25 selected this year are ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” Blondie’s “Parallel Lines,” The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Ready to Die,” Green Day’s “Dookie” and The Chicks’ “Wide Open Spaces.”

Members of the public can submit nominations for the registry on the Library’s website. Almost 2,900 were submitted this year.

The latest entrants to the registry bring its total number of titles to 650.

This year’s list, with includes singles and albums:

  • “Clarinet Marmalade,” Lt. James Reese Europe’s 369th U.S. Infantry Band (1919)
  • “Kauhavan Polkka,” Viola Turpeinen and John Rosendahl (1928)
  • Wisconsin Folksong Collection (1937-1946)
  • “Rose Room,” Benny Goodman Sextet with Charlie Christian (1939)
  • “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Gene Autry (1949)
  • “Tennessee Waltz,” Patti Page (1950)
  • “Rocket ‘88,’” Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats (1951)
  • “Catch a Falling Star” / ”Magic Moments,” Perry Como (1957)
  • “Chances Are,” Johnny Mathis (1957)
  • “The Sidewinder,” Lee Morgan (1964)
  • “Surrealistic Pillow,” Jefferson Airplane (1967)
  • “Ain’t No Sunshine,” Bill Withers (1971)
  • “This is a Recording,” Lily Tomlin (1971)
  • “J.D. Crowe & the New South,” J.D. Crowe & the New South (1975)
  • “Arrival,” ABBA (1976)
  • “El Cantante,” Héctor Lavoe (1978)
  • “The Cars,” The Cars (1978)
  • “Parallel Lines,” Blondie (1978)
  • “La-Di-Da-Di,” Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick (MC Ricky D) (1985)
  • “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” Bobby McFerrin (1988)
  • “Amor Eterno,” Juan Gabriel (1990)
  • “Pieces of Africa,” Kronos Quartet (1992)
  • “Dookie,” Green Day (1994)
  • “Ready to Die,” The Notorious B.I.G. (1994)
  • “Wide Open Spaces,” The Chicks (1998)

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