Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
‘Rhythm Is Gonna Get You’ joins Library of Congress
Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine’s “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You” is among 25 recordings that were added to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress this week.
Each year, the Library of Congress recognizes artists’ recordings for “their historic, cultural and aesthetic significance” to American music.
The 1987 song was co-written by Gloria Estefan and Sound Machine drummer Enrique “Kiki” Garcia for the group’s “Let It Loose’’ album.
“His pounding backbeat, along with the song’s lively congas and Estefan’s spirited vocals, have turned “Rhythm” into a modern classic and one that repeatedly proves the promise made in its title,’’ according a release from the Library of Congress.
“When we wrote ‘Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,’ we set out to create a fusion of rhythms that reflected the musical cultures of our native Cuba and our adopted country, the United States,” Gloria Estefan said in the release. “So it is an accolade of particular significance to us that it be honored as an important part of the creative legacy of this great country with its induction into the National Recording Registry.”
On social media, Emilio Estefan congratulated his wife and Garcia for the hit.
“You helped keep our culture and rhythm alive through this great song!” Emilio Estefan shared on Twitter.
The song is also part of “On Your Feet!” the touring musical that tells the Estefans’ Cuban immigrant success story.
Other songs that made the registry list include Tony Bennett’s 1962 song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” the 1965 soundtrack to the “The Sound of Music,” Run-DMC’s 1986 album “Raising Hell’’ and Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 “Rumours” album. In all, the recordings are part of 500 titles in the registry.