Jay-Z, The Beatles, And U2 Featured In Obama’s Latest Playlist
The former president shared 20 favorite tunes to accompany his new memoir, ‘A Promised Land.’
Ahead of his anticipated new memoir, A Promised Land, which hits stores tomorrow, Former President Barack Obama shared an accompanying playlist of tunes on Spotify. The 20-track collection spans a variety of genres and includes such artists as JAY-Z, B.B. King, The Beatles, and John Coltrane.
Music has always played an important role in my life—and that was especially true during my presidency. In honor of my book hitting shelves tomorrow, I put together this playlist featuring some memorable songs from my administration. Hope you enjoy it. pic.twitter.com/xWiNQiZzN0
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 16, 2020
“Music has always played an important role throughout my life – and that was especially true during my presidency,” captioned Obama on Instagram. “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.’
He continued, “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 or Paul McCartney serenading Michelle in the East Room with, ‘Michelle.’ In honor of my book, A Promised Land, coming out tomorrow, I thought I’d put together a playlist with some of those songs. Hope you enjoy it.”
Among his selections are U2’s Grammy Award-winning hit, “Beautiful Day,” Stevie Wonder’s ecstatic “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours,” and John Coltrane’s timeless rendition of “My Favorite Things.”
Other highlights include Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” Beyoncé’s “Halo,” Brooks and Dunn’s “Only in America,” and B.B. King’s classic hit “The Thrill is Gone.”
Both Barack and Michelle Obama are no strangers to playlisting. Earlier this year, Michelle shared her favorite workout songs, as well as her #BlackGirlMagic playlist, which featured tracks from such rising Black artists as Amber Mark, Ari Lennox, and Tierra Whack, as well as by more established stars like Beyoncé, Chloe X Halle, and Teyana Taylor.
While promoting her memoir Becoming, meanwhile, the former first lady partnered with Motown Records to share some of her favorite, formative songs. “Every story needs a soundtrack, and Motown has provided so much rhythm to my life,” she said.
Last year, the former president began a new American tradition: his annual summer playlist. This year’s edition, which was released ahead of the Democratic Convention, featured several of the artists who performed at the multi-day event, including Billie Eilish, Billy Porter, and Common. He also included selections from HAIM, J.Cole, Otis Redding, and Bob Marley & The Wailers.
Listen to A Promised Land Playlist on Spotify.
