Super Mario Bros. theme officially preserved in Library of Congress

The Super Mario Bros. song Mamma Mia has been recognized rightly as an important contribution to American history. It’s one of the 25 songs that will be added to the National Recording Registry this year, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced on Wednesday, and the first video game song to ever be added.

The Super Mario Bros. theme, officially titled “Ground Theme,” was composed by Koji Kondo, the storied Japanese composer behind many of Nintendo’s hits. The theme, released in 1985, has become ubiquitous — it’s appeared in numerous subsequent Mario games, was a theme in the recent Super Mario Bros. MovieIt has been remixed many times on YouTube, TikTok and other platforms. Kondo is still employed by Nintendo at 61 and has contributed so much to the history of videogame music, such as themes for The Legend of Zelda, arrangements for Super Smash Bros., and other songs.

“Having this music preserved alongside so many other classic songs is such a great honor,” Kondo told the Library of Congress via an interpreter. “It’s actually a little bit difficult to believe.”

In a year in which Mario has taken the U.S. on its heels, this feels like a recognition moment. Mario-helmed Nintendo console games are a favorite for years. However, Mario has been appearing in greater numbers than ever in recent months. Super Mario Bros. MovieSuper Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood broke all records for box office openings. With over 122,000,000 sales, the Nintendo Switch became third in the list of top-selling consoles.

Other additions to the National Recording Registry this year include Mariah Carey’s stone-cold Christmas classic “All I Want for Christmas is You,” Daddy Yankee’s absolute banger “Gasolina,” and Madonna’s “Like a Virgin.” It’s a year for icons and classics, and the Mario theme has more than earned its place in music history.