U2's 1987 “The Joshua Tree” is among 25 new additions to the US Library of Congress's National Recording Registry.

The band's fifth studio album had hits such as “With or Without You” and “Where the Streets Have No Name.”

Librarian of Congress James Billington said the recordings represent part of America’s culture and history.

“As technology continually changes and formats become obsolete, we must ensure that our nation’s aural legacy is protected,” he said.

Curator Matthew Barton said U2′s sound, though not explicitly religious, has influenced and been combined with Christian rock in some churches, including the song, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”

U2′s album with hits like “Where the Streets Have no Name” and “With or Without You” was chosen after the library received many public nominations.

The original cast recording of Stephen Sondheim's 1979 musical “Sweeney Todd” and Isaac Hayes' theme from “Shaft” have also been added to the archive.

Established in 2000, the registry contains recordings deemed important enough to be preserved for posterity.

Each year, 25 recordings that are at least 10 years old are added to the registry, which now includes 400 deemed to be "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant".