R.E.M.'s 'Radio Free Europe' Recognised by US Library of Congress

Posted on Jun 23rd 2010 1:30PM by Andrew Kerr
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R.E.M are among the latest batch of songwriters whose work is to be recognised with a place in the US Library of Congress. The Athens, Ga., trio's track 'Radio Free Europe' will be preserved in the Congressional archive.

According to the Library of Congress website, "The Librarian, with advice from the Library's National Recording Preservation Board, is tasked with selecting 25 recordings that are 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant' and are at least 10 years old."

For R.E.M it was their ability to set "the pattern for later indie-rock releases by breaking through on college radio in the face of mainstream radio's general indifference" that ensured their place on the list.

Released in June of 1983 on IRS Records, 'Radio Free Europe' was the lead single from the band's debut album 'Murmur,' though the track was originally released as a single in 1981 on the Atlanta-based label Hib Tone before being re-recorded for the band's debut album.

Another notable inclusion on the National Recording Registry's list is Patti Smith's "poetic proto-punk classic" 'Horses' which comes in one place above R.E.M at No. 23 on the 25-strong list. Also assured preservation is The Band's 1969 eponymous track lifted from debut album 'Music From Big Pink' while Tupac Shakur becomes only the third rap act after Grandmaster Flash and Public Enemy, to make it into the Library with his song 'Dear Mama'.