The 2025 Sounds of America on the Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July. What better way to celebrate than listening back to “The Sounds of America.”

As Americans kick back by the water, fire up the grill, or get stuck in traffic, we take a look back at highlights from conversations we’ve had about this year’s National Recording Registry inductees.

Every year, there are 25 of them, the public helps select them, and they include speeches, radio dramas, commentaries, podcasts, symphonies, and, of course, songs.

First, we run back through our chat with former Librarian of congress Carla Hayden to get a sense of the 2025 honorees. Then, we rock out to the Steve Miller Band’s “Fly Like an Eagle.” And finally, we bring it home with “Bitches Brew” and Miles Davis.