Of the 27 pieces riginally on the Golden Record, I believe the following 10 serve the most purpose in being kept:

The following music was included on the Voyager record.

• Java, court gamelan, “Kinds of Flowers,” recorded by Robert Brown. 4:43
• Zaire, Pygmy girls’ initiation song, recorded by Colin Turnbull. 0:56
• Mexico, “El Cascabel,” performed by Lorenzo Barcelata and the Mariachi México. 3:14
• “Johnny B. Goode,” written and performed by Chuck Berry. 2:38
• Georgian S.S.R., chorus, “Tchakrulo,” collected by Radio Moscow. 2:18
• Bulgaria, “Izlel je Delyo Hagdutin,” sung by Valya Balkanska. 4:59
• Navajo Indians, Night Chant, recorded by Willard Rhodes. 0:57
• Peru, wedding song, recorded by John Cohen. 0:38
• India, raga, “Jaat Kahan Ho,” sung by Surshri Kesar Bai Kerkar. 3:30
• “Dark Was the Night,” written and performed by Blind Willie Johnson. 3:15

I removed all classical and lyricless music. I think as much information should be conveyed as possible in each track. Another species may interpret a message from music that we unintentionally sent because we do not treat music as a concrete information-carrying medium, it is best we stick to messages we share intentionally. We also do not need excessive European influence on there, nor the whale songs. If other species can indeed interpret those messages, I would be wary of what they may be saying.

-B