From Cuneiform to Binary Code – the German Museum of Books and Writing explores the full spectrum of language, writing and forms of expression. But these themes also play an important role in music – sometimes taking centre stage, sometimes lying more between the lines.

This has led to the creation of a playlist at the German National Library featuring over 100 songs, based on the question: “What does media history sound like?” What music reflects the significance and use of media, and why? What declarations of love are there, where are warnings and rants to be found, and where are songs of praise sung in honour of the book?

This list of song titles, compiled from numerous suggestions by staff at the German National Library, is remarkably diverse and highlights the team’s immense knowledge of the repertoire.

The songs are about letters, social media, film, video and the internet. They’re about the telephone, newspapers and censorship, as well as technological advancement and digitalisation. All of this features in the music – in romantic, angry, enthusiastic, critical, cautionary, cynical or kitsch ways. There’s something here for everyone.

The 100 most beautiful songs, along with the reasons for their selection, can be found at the listening stations at the two locations of the German National Library in Leipzig and Frankfurt am Main. Do pop in and have a browse through the “Songs on Media History” playlist!

Enjoy even more songs: they’ve put together a list of all their recommendations for you on Spotify – for technical reasons, the explanatory texts are not included.