The Registry, maintained by the Library of Congress, makes 25 selections each year. The selected recordings must be at least ten years old and "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant," according to the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000.

Gypsy, recorded in 1959 with a score by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim, features Ethel Merman in one of her greatest roles, Rose, along with Sandra Church, Jack Klugman, and the entire cast of the original Broadway production.

Edwards recorded "Wish Upon a Star" in 1940 for "Pinocchio," in which he voiced Jiminy Cricket. Also known for his stage persona, "Ukelele Ike," he appeared on Broadway in Lady, Be Good! (where he introduced "Fascinating Rhythm"), Ziegfeld Follies of 1927, George White Scandals of 1936, and The Mimic World.

Other recordings selected this year range from a 1913 klezmer recording, "Fon der Choope (From the Wedding)" by Abe Elenkrig's Yidishe Orchestra, to Tupac Shakur's 1995 album, "Dear Mama." A 1941 radio debate over whether the United States should aid Britain in World War II, Little Richard's "Tutti Frutti," Howlin' Wolf's "Smokestack Lightnin'," Bill Cosby's comedy album "I Started Out as a Child," Loretta Lynn's "Coal Miner's Daughter," REM's "Radio Free Europe" and Patti Smith's "Horses" are also among the selections.

For more information and the complete list of selections, visit http://www.loc.gov/rr/record/nrpb/registry/nrpb-2009reg.html.