Former President Barack Obama, known for his diverse musical taste that spans neo-soul to classic rock, recently released his much-anticipated 2024 summer playlist. The list features a mix of favorite artists, including Tommy Richman, Megan Thee Stallion, Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones.
“With summer winding down, I wanted to share some songs that I’ve been listening to lately – and it wouldn’t be my playlist if it didn’t include an eclectic mix,” Obama shared on X (formerly Twitter). “I hope you find something new to listen to!”
The playlist includes tracks like “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey, “365” by Charli XCX, “Chihiro” by Billie Eilish, “Love Me Jeje” by Tems, and many more.
However, the playlist’s release, which has garnered over 32.9 million views, sparked a wave of disappointment from followers who noted the absence of songs by Chappell Roan and Taylor Swift. A follower commented, “Nice playlist, but are you a Swiftie?” while another expressed their disappointment with, “No Chappell Roan???? Disappointing…”
A few other users echoed similar sentiments, with one asking, “What, no Gojira? Come on, dude, get with the times.” Another user inquired, “Obama not into Swift’s music? Not even a nod to The Tortured Poets Department? Is he missing out or is he just out of touch?”
Despite these critiques, the playlist remains popular, continuing the tradition of Obama’s well-loved annual summer music recommendations.
Obama credits his daughters, Sasha and Malia, for helping him stay up-to-date with current music trends. He mentioned in a conversation with Carter Gregory, “I get referrals from my daughters — which keeps me not stuck in the ’80s.” Obama’s playlists typically blend older classics with contemporary hits, reflecting his broad musical taste.
In a related note, Barack and Michelle Obama have recently endorsed Kamala Harris in her bid for the presidency. Expressing their pride in Harris, they’ve pledged to support her campaign efforts leading up to the November election. The endorsement has also spurred a wave of support from Swifties for Kamala, a grassroots organization of Taylor Swift fans dedicated to Harris’s election.
– “With summer winding down, I wanted to share some songs that I’ve been listening to lately – and it wouldn’t be my playlist if it didn’t include an eclectic mix,” Obama shared on X.
– “I get referrals from my daughters — which keeps me not stuck in the ’80s,” Obama noted about his musical choices.