The criteria for a song to qualify for the Grammy Hall of Fame is that it must be at least 25 years old. It’s hard to believe that Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Team Spirit’ and R.E.M.’s ‘Losing My Religion’ are tracks that have just turned a quarter of a century.
Sadly, the honour will be a posthumous one for the likes of Kurt Cobain, David Bowie, Prince, Sonny Bono, Michael Jackson with the Jackson 5, and even Elvis, who’s classic tune ‘Jailhouse Rock’ is only now being included in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
David Bowie’s track ‘Changes’ has been selected, as has Prince’s classic 'Sign O’ the Times', and the Jackson 5’s 'ABC'.
Other artists to have new songs entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame will include N.W.A’s ‘Straight Outta Campton and Sly and the Family Stone’s ‘Thank You’.
The diverse group of artists also includes Lalo Schifrin for his theme for the 'Mission Impossible' TV show, Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra with ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’, Rod Stewart with ‘Maggie May’ and Sonny & Cher’s ‘I Got You Babe’.

"The Grammy Hall Of Fame represents all genres of music, acknowledging the diversity of musical expression for which The Academy has become renowned," said the Recording Academy president and CEO Neil Portnow in a statement.
"Memorable and inspiring, these recordings are proudly added to our growing catalogue and are an integral part of our musical, social and cultural history.”
Here’s the complete list of Grammy Hall of Fame inductees:
Arlo Guthrie – ‘The City of New Orleans’
The Beach Boys – ‘I Get Around’
Billie Holiday – ‘Lady Sings the Blues’
Blind Willie McTell – ‘Statesboro Blues’
Bonnie Raitt – ‘I Can't Make Your Love Me’
Cab Calloway And His Orchestra - '(Hep-Hep!) The Jumpin' Jive'
David Bowie – ‘Changes’
Deep Purple – ‘Smoke of the Water’
Dion – ‘The Wanderer’
Elvis Presley – ‘Jailhouse Rock’
The Everly Brothers – ‘Wake Up Little Susie’
Jackson 5 – ‘ABC’
Lalo Schifrin – ‘Mission Impossible’
Lesley Gore – ‘You Don't Own Me’
Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra – ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’
Merle Haggard - Okie From Muskogee
Mills Brothers – ‘You Always Hurt the One You Love’
Mississippi John Hurt – ‘Stack O'Lee Blues’
N.W.A – ‘Straight Outta Compton’
Nirvana – ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’
Prince - Sign O' the Times
R.E.M. - "Losing My Religion"
Rod Stewart – ‘Maggie May’
Sly & The Family Stone – ‘Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)’
Sonny & Cher – ‘I Got You Babe’