Words by Rosalind Thacker
To accompany the release of his upcoming memoir, Barack Obama reveals the soundtrack to his presidency.
As America waits in eager anticipation to welcome their new president, Barack Obama is taking this time to reflect on his own presidency, releasing a playlist of his beloved White House anthems.
The playlist coincides with the release of his new book, A Promised Land, a personal memoir and account of his time as President of the United States. The book is said to be remarkably personal, and gives a real insight into the inner-workings of a president’s mind. It covers his earliest political aspirations, his assembling of the cabinet, battles with the global financial crisis, all the way to the assassination of Osama Bin-Laden in 2011. Above all, it’s a candid account of what it was really like to be the 44th President of the United States, and become the first African American to hold the nation’s highest office.
His eclectic musical picks include a mix of classics by Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Fleetwood Mac, Jay-Z, and more. A playlist packed full of musical legends, then? We really wouldn’t expect anything less from Obama.
Here are a few of our favourites:
Eminem – “Lose Yourself”
You may think this an interesting choice, but can you name a better song to hype yourself up to address the nation in an important presidential speech? “Lose Yourself” is the song Obama famously played before his 2016 Democratic National Convention speech.
The Beatles – “Michelle”
We would expect nothing less than a romantic gesture to Michelle hidden amongst this playlist, but “Michelle” is also the song Paul McCartney performed at the White House for the former First Lady when he received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize from Obama.
Beyoncé – “At Last”
Another romantic gesture, “At Last” was the first song Michelle and Obama danced to at his inauguration. The pair have always been open about the pressures the presidency had on their marriage – as it would on any person’s marriage – and Obama’s book gives an open account into how living in the White House affected his relationship with his wife and daughters, sharing the highs and lows. It’s clear they managed to work through the adversities thrown their way by the world’s most powerful job, as they remain one of the nation’s most beloved power couples.
Jay-Z – “My 1st Song”
Obama claimed to listen to this song, along with Frank Sinatra’s “Luck Be a Lady”, when he would review notes ahead of a presidential debate.
Despite being the coolest president America ever had, Obama is still well known for his diverse (and sometimes questionable) music tastes. This most recent playlist is a bit on the mellow side, so if you’re after some more upbeat tracks, we recommend Michelle Obama’s 2020 Workout Playlist, which features songs by Lizzo, Cardi B and Nipsey Hussle.
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