Obama's Excellent Summertime Playlists Include Chance, Common
By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 11, 2016 4:27PM
Courtesy of Whitehouse.gov
From Beyoncé’s showstopper rendition of Etta James’ “At Last” at Barack Obama’s inauguration ball in 2009 to the president’s own poignant version of “Amazing Grace” at the eulogy for Rev. Clementa Pinckney, the president’s tenure has been marked by some amazing musical moments. So perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see once again that Obama really knows his jams: the White House on Thursday posted the president’s summer playlists, one for daytime and one for nighttime. They’re both fantastic.
The connoisseur-in-chief released a solid (if somewhat traditionalist) summertime mix last year, but these collections show the prez to be an even more engaged, eclectic listener. He’s got classics from Prince, Beach Boys and Miles Davis rubbing shoulders with contemporary highlights from Janelle Monae, Courtney Barnett and Wale.
Always one to rep his city, Obama also makes room for Common ("Forever Begins") and Chance the Rapper (“Acid Rain”). The nod did not go unnoticed by Chance.
I'm honored that our President would include in his summer playlist BUT THE FACT THAT HE PICKED ACID RAIN 😳😳😭😭💯💯⛽️🅰🆖 https://t.co/M2ypVhCQFA
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) August 11, 2016
Check out the full track lists below with links to the Spotify playlists.
The President's Summer Playlist: Daytime
1. LoveHate Thing - Wale
2. Smooth Sailin' - Leon Bridges
3. Elevator Operator - Courtney Barnett
4. Home - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
5. Many the Miles - Sara Bareilles
6. Tightrope - Janelle Monáe
7. Classic Man - Jidenna
8. So Ambitious - Jay Z feat. Pharrell
9. Me Gustas Tu - Manu Chao
10. Forever Begins - Common
11. The Man - Aloe Blacc
12. As We Enter - Nas & Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley
13. Sinnerman - Nina Simone
14. U Got the Look - Prince
15. Rock Steady - Aretha Franklin
16. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
17. Don't Owe You A Thang - Gary Clark Jr.
18. Man Like That - Gin Wigmore
19. II B.S. (edit) - Charles Mingus
The President's Summer Playlist: Nighttime
1. If I Have My Way - Chrisette Michele
2. Espera - Esperanza Spalding
3. Tell It Like It Is - Aaron Neville
4. Alright - Ledisi
5. Trapped By A Thing Called Love - Denise LaSalle
6. Lady - D'Angelo
7. So Very Hard to Go - Tower of Power
8. Midnight Sun - Carmen McCrae
9. Cucurrucucú Paloma - Caetano Veloso
10. Green Aphrodisiac - Corinne Bailey Rae
11. I'll Be There for You / You're All I Need - Mary J. Blige / Method Man
12. Lover Man - Billie Holiday
13. Criminal - Fiona Apple
14. Acid Rain - Chance the Rapper
15. My Funny Valentine - Miles Davis
16. Do You Feel Me - Anthony Hamilton
17. I Get Lonely - Janet Jackson
18. Lean In - Lizz Wright
19. All Day Music - War
20. Say Yes - Floetry