OBITUARIES

Now, I don’t question the credentials of the people selected to make the selections, but how in the world could Lennon’s Imagine have taken so long to be recognized? The same goes for other well-known reminders of culture contained in this year’s list.

The 2023 list also includes its fair share of Billboard hits including “Sherry” by the Four Seasons, Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode to Billy Joe,” Irene Cara’s “Flashdance” and the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams.”

And two of America’s most popular sing-along tunes made the 2023 list. John Den- ver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and Jimmy Buffet’s “Margaritaville” are now forever recognized, many years after a nation pegged them national classics many years ago.

This year’s additions bring the total number of entries to 625. Considering the nation’s exten- sive and varied sound heritage, the number of future designees seems almost infinite.

And, I’m infinitely appreciative of this year’s inclusion of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” a song that for many of us, defines a generation.

Again, what took so long?