The National Recording Registry, a prestigious recognition from the Library of Congress, proudly welcomes legendary Latin music icons Vicente Fernández and Freddy Fender as part of this year’s esteemed inductees. This honor highlights their profound impact on the musical landscape and their contribution to cultural heritage.
Fernández’s iconic ranchera anthem “El Rey” and Fender’s groundbreaking bilingual country crossover hit “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” have now joined a distinguished collection of recordings celebrated for their cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance. This recognition emphasizes the importance of these works in the broader narrative of music history.
“El Rey” (translated to “The King”), hailing from the 1973 album El Ídolo de Mexico, is widely regarded as one of the most recognizable songs within the realm of regional Mexican music. Originally penned by the talented Mexican composer José Alfredo Jiménez in 1971, the song reached new heights of fame when Fernández recorded his definitive rendition just two years later, solidifying its place in the hearts of music lovers.
With its powerful themes of resilience and pride, “El Rey” has come to symbolize Chente’s enduring legacy and has even inspired a 2022 Netflix bioseries of the same name, which honors his extraordinary life and illustrious career. The mariachi singer, who sadly passed away in 2021, remains one of Mexico’s most revered musical figures, and his recent induction into the Registry further cements his lasting influence on generations of artists and fans alike.
Meanwhile, Fender’s “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” serves as a powerful testament to the singer’s remarkable ability to bridge diverse cultures and musical genres. Released as a single in 1975, this track features verses sung in both English and Spanish, effectively breaking down barriers within the music industry. The song achieved remarkable success, reaching the No. 1 position on both the Hot Country Songs chart and the Billboard Hot 100, showcasing the crossover potential of Latin music.
Fender’s emotive performance and heartfelt delivery transformed this song into a timeless classic, demonstrating the immense power of Latin voices in the country music genre—an arena that historically had limited representation from Hispanic artists. His work has paved the way for future generations, illustrating that music transcends language and cultural barriers.
In addition to these legendary Latin artists, the Registry also honors a variety of non-Latin musicians, including Amy Winehouse with her poignant track “Back to Black,” Celine Dion with the iconic “My Heart Will Go On,” Elton John’s classic album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Mary J. Blige’s impactful work My Life, and the dynamic cast album for the renowned Broadway production Hamilton: An American Musical. For those interested in exploring the complete list of 2025 National Recording Registry inductees, click here.
For a deeper dive into the rich history of Latin recordings recognized in the Registry, be sure to check out the complete list available here.
