Songs and compositions

Public domain songs and recordings

Songs, compositions and sound recordings entering the public domain, ranked by value.

  1. Coming 2027
    All of Me (song)Gerald Marks, Seymour Simons · 1931 · Music

    One of the most recorded jazz standards. Composition free in the US.

    US 2027
  2. Coming 2027
    As Time Goes By (song)Herman Hupfeld · 1931 · Music

    Written in 1931 for a Broadway revue, made immortal by Casablanca (1942). The music and lyrics become free in the US.

    US 2027
  3. Coming 2027
    Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (song)Yip Harburg, Jay Gorney · 1931 · Music

    The anthem of the Great Depression.

    US 2027
  4. Coming 2027
    Heebie Jeebies (1926 recording)Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five · 1926 · Recordings

    The famous early scat-singing record. US sound recordings from 1926 enter the public domain in 2027 under the Music Modernization Act.

    US 2027
  5. Coming 2027
    Minnie the Moocher (song)Cab Calloway, Irving Mills · 1931 · Music

    The hi-de-ho call-and-response song. Composition free in the US.

    US 2027
  6. New in 2026
    I Got Rhythm, Embraceable You, But Not for MeGeorge and Ira Gershwin · 1930 · Music

    Four Gershwin songs, including I Got Rhythm, the source of the "rhythm changes" chord progression.

    US 2026
  7. New in 2026
    Dream a Little Dream of MeFabian Andre, Wilbur Schwandt, Gus Kahn · 1930 · Music

    Registered in 1930, so free in the US in 2026.

    US 2026
  8. New in 2026
    Georgia on My MindHoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell · 1930 · Music

    The song Ray Charles made famous.

    US 2026
  9. New in 2026
    The St. Louis Blues (1925 recording)Bessie Smith with Louis Armstrong · 1925 · Recordings

    One of the great blues records, free as a recording in the US.

    US 2026
  10. New in 2026
    Body and Soul, On the Sunny Side of the StreetJohnny Green; Jimmy McHugh, Dorothy Fields · 1930 · Music

    Two of the most recorded jazz standards.

    US 2026
  11. New in 2026
    Dmitri Shostakovich (music, life+50 countries)Dmitri Shostakovich · 1975 · Music

    His symphonies and the famous Waltz No. 2.

    Life+50 2026
  12. New in 2026
    Sleigh Ride and The Typewriter (life+50 countries)Leroy Anderson · 1975 · Music

    Leroy Anderson died in 1975: his light-music hits became free in life+50 countries.

    Life+50 2026
  13. New in 2026
    Arthur Honegger (music)Arthur Honegger · 1955 · Music

    Pacific 231 and his symphonies.

    Life+70 2026
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