The annual Barack Obama playlist has grown to become the hottest, and most-awaited playlist of the year. Well, the former US President is back at it again, this time, giving us a look into the songs he listened to throughout his time in the White House.
Obama took to social media to share his playlist, a day before the launch of the first part of his memoir A Promise Land. He attached a lengthy caption explaining what the songs meant to him. “Music has always played an important role throughout my life—and that was especially true during my presidency. While reviewing my notes ahead of debates, I’d listen to Jay-Z’s “My 1st Song” or Frank Sinatra’s “Luck Be a Lady.” Throughout our time in the White House, Michelle and I invited artists like Stevie Wonder and Gloria Estefan to conduct afternoon workshops with young people before performing an evening show in the East Room. And there were all sorts of performances I’ll always remember—like Beyoncé performing “At Last” for our first dance at our inauguration, Paul McCartney serenading Michelle in the East Room with, “Michelle” and Bob Dylan flashing me a grin before vanishing after his performance of “Times They Are a-Changin.” So in honor of my book coming out tomorrow, I thought I’d put together a playlist with some of those songs. Hope you enjoy it,” he wrote.
We’ve compiled all the songs mentioned in the playlist, so you don’t have to bother searching around. Happy listening.
Aretha Franklin – The Weight
B.B. King – The Thrill Is Gone
Beyoncé – Halo
Beyoncé – At Last
Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A-Changin’
Brooks & Dunn – Only in America
Bruce Springsteen – The Rising
Eminem – Lose Yourself
Frank Sinatra – Luck Be A Lady
Gloria Estefan – Always Tomorrow
Fleetwood Mac – Rhiannon
John Coltrane – My Favorite Things
Miles Davis – Freddie Freeloader
Phillip Phillips – Home
The Beatles – Michelle
Sade – Cherish The Day
Stevie Wonder – Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)
Stevie Wonder – Sir Duke
U2 – Beautiful Day
The New Barack Obama Playlist Features Songs From His Presidency