Barack Obama has unveiled his annual summer playlist, opening this year’s selections with a tribute to the late Glen Hansard. The former president kicked off the list with Hansard’s “Song of Good Hope,” writing, “It starts with a song Michelle and I love by Glen Hansard, a great musician who passed tragically this week. Our hearts go out to his family.”
Elsewhere, Obama’s characteristically wide-ranging picks include contemporary tracks from The Strokes, Doechii and SZA, Noah Kahan, Vince Staples, Tyla and Zara Larsson, and Mumford & Sons and Hozier, alongside classics from David Bowie, The Beatles, Neil Young, Nina Simone, Johnny Cash, Marvin Gaye, A Tribe Called Quest, and Earth, Wind & Fire. He also apparently has Drake, Future, and Molly Santana’s “Ran to Atlanta” in rotation.
Summer Favorites
The playlist arrives shortly after Obama shared his 2026 summer reading list, continuing his beloved and longstanding tradition of recommending books and music to the public.
Obama took to Twitter to share his playlist, writing, “Here are some of the songs I’ve been listening to this summer. It starts with a song Michelle and I love by Glen Hansard, a great musician who passed tragically this week. Our hearts go out to his family.” The tweet included a link to the playlist, which features a diverse range of genres and artists.
In conclusion, Barack Obama’s summer playlist is a reflection of his eclectic taste in music, featuring a mix of classic and contemporary tracks from a wide range of artists. The playlist is a great way to discover new music and explore different genres, and is sure to be a hit with music fans of all ages. With its release, Obama continues his tradition of sharing his favorite books and music with the public, and provides a unique glimpse into his personal tastes and interests.
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