The US Library of Congress has today announced the 25 tracks that will be added to its National Recording Registry as “defining sounds of the nation’s history and culture”. For the first time ever, one of these tracks comes from a video game, and it is none other than Koji Kondo's iconic theme from 1985's Super Mario Bros. that is leading the way (thanks, Gizmodo).
Joining the likes of Madonna's 'Like a Virgin' and Mariah Carey’s 'All I Want for Christmas is You' in the class of 2023, the Super Mario Bros. theme's inclusion is a huge stepping stone for video game music. In its announcement tweet (below) the Library of Congress stated that the track was "probably the most recognisable [video game theme song] in history", and we struggle to disagree.
Speaking about the honour as part of the announcement, Kondo said he had a feeling back in 1985 that "this game might be something that could turn into a series and continue for a long time.”
“Having this music preserved alongside so many other classic songs is such a great honor. It's actually a little bit difficult to believe.”
As the first track from a video game to be added to the register, we can't help but wonder what others may follow in future years. Of course, Kondo has also been behind a multitude of other iconic tracks from the Mario and Zelda series, but with the Mario theme being a gold standard, it seems to be a pretty good place to start.
With this latest honour, it looks like Kondo's track is redefining the effect of video game music all over again.
What piece of video game music would you like to see considered next? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
[source newsroom.loc.gov, via gizmodo.com]
Comments 30
I’ve long forgotten how to solve factoring problems, but I will always remember this melody until the day I die.
If there is something like this for individual sound effects, the chime that sounds when you collect a coin is also incredibly iconic.
I need Berlin Byways in this place
Such a banger song
A Japanese composer's song from a Japanese product "defining" another nation's history and culture sounds pretty ironic, but when you consider how cosmopolitan said nation generally is, it does check out. And there's certainly no denying the timelessness of the track.
Imagine aliens in the year 3056 uncovering our music and having to suffer through. “All I Want For Christmas is You.” I guess it deserves the spot, but yikes.
In other news, this is another big step for mainstream gaming recognition, so it’s cool.
Good to see this get honoured. The Super Mario Bros. theme is THE videogame theme. Tetris would have been a close second I’d imagine.
«What piece of video game music would you like to see considered next?»
Bloody Tears from Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, Holy Orders (Be Just or Be Dead) from Guilty Gear series, Guile's Theme from Street Fighter II' Turbo: Hyper Fighting, Stage 1 theme from Chômakaimura/Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts.
Please add Megalovania next.
@JakedaArbok As someone who works retail, All I Want For Christmas is You is one of the Christmas songs of all time
Other tracks to consider are the Zelda main theme and Tetris.
@OwenGamer22 Dread it, run from it, Mariah thaws out all the same
Street fighter 2 guile theme
As it should be.
First Kirby gets a Grammy, and now Mario is in the Library of Congress? This is the VGM revolution!
Now we wait for Sony, DJ Mario on Drugs, Believe Music, AnyMind Music, UMG, and so on to claim they own it. At least that's how it works on Youtube.
Meanwhile, I'm humming the first level from Mario Land on GB lol
That’s awesome! Having things like this archived (even if they can be found basically anywhere) is a really great thing. Hopefully more gaming things will be added later.
@MagicEmperor how can you forget the FOIL method 😀
@PessitheMystic @Tober The Tetris theme is an old Russian folk song which has been quite popular in many parts of Europe long before it was used in the game, so it doesn't really count as video game music first and foremost.
@Polvasti n whit
@VancouverVelocityFan Sydney Spring is the best tho
Carmen Sandiego is going to steal it now.
Well deserved. When I think of video games in general, there is only one song that comes to mind, and it is this one. Couldn't have made a better choice.
That song is still such a good jam even 30 years after the first time hearing it and being amazed at the little dude I was controlling around this vibrant world.
For me it’s the Super Mario Bros theme and the Legend of Zelda theme that stand out above all else.
Finally, people remember optional music players in games!... though on a real note it's kinda shocking this WASN'T already on the Library of Congress.
@Kayloo it’s a banger but in terms of Tour songs, Ninja Hideaway, Vancouver Velocity, Singapore Speedway and obviously Berlin Byways beat it for me
@VancouverVelocityFan Well I mean your name is VancouverVelocity so that makes sense
@Kayloo Haha yes
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