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"Our list represents many different genres throughout all parts of the 20th century. And our hope is that each song will help tell a very different story."
——RIAA President/CEO Hilary Rosen

RIAA MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAM TAKES OFF

"Over the Rainbow" Tops Songs Of The Century List; "99 Bottles Of Beer" Overlooked
Expected to eventually take its place among the other trivia lists, the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts named the 365 records that American students will learn about through their new music education program.

The RIAA/NEA revealed Wednesday (3/7) the initiative, called Songs of the Century, which ranks the top 365 records and cast albums from the past century.

Observers praised the eclectic nature of the list, which was topped by "Over The Rainbow," but also includes selections ranging from John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme" to Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven."

Music selected for inclusion in the list has been categorized by decade, genre and the recording artist's name. "American music has touched everyone's lives throughout its short history. It's the perfect educational tool," said RIAA President/CEO Hilary Rosen, who introduced the education program with the NEA's Bill Ivey at a Library of Congress ceremony. "Our list represents many different genres throughout all parts of the 20th century. And our hope is that each song will help tell a very different story. I just hope the kids don't think they can swap these songs for free."

The Songs of the Century project will be developed by Scholastic and provided free of charge to 10,000 fifth-grade schoolteachers—who will then be sued for distributing copyrighted material by the major labels, BMI, ASCAP and NARAS.

Other titles in the top 10 include: "White Christmas," sung by Bing Crosby; "This Land Is Your Land," by Woody Guthrie; Aretha Franklin's version of Otis Redding's "Respect"; Don McLean's "American Pie"; "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" performed by the Andrews Sisters; "Take Me Out To The Ball Game," Billy Murray; "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' " performed by the Righteous Brothers; Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer"; and the Broadway cast album for "West Side Story."

The RIAA, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, BMI and ASCAP were among those involved in drawing up the 1,100-title master list, which was then sent to about 1,500 music fans, including politicos, artists, music industry execs, teachers, journalists and students who paired it down.

To everyone's surprise, "Unskinny Bop" by Poison, "F*** Tha Police" by N.W.A. and "I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys failed to make the list.

For a complete list of the 365 titles selected by the RIAA-led consortium, we at HITS recommend you look somewhere else.

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