Oprah, John Legend, Colbert and other celebs attend Obama event
Oprah Winfrey, George Lucas and Tom Hanks were among many who attended the dedication of the Obama Presidential Center.
Barack Obama’s summer playlist has dropped.
In his annual summer tradition, the 64-year-old former president-turned-entertainment leader let the public in on the songs he’s been listening to. The playlist, released Thursday, July 30, begins with an homage to Oscar-winning musician Glen Hansard, who died the previous day in a motorcycle accident.
Hansard’s “Song of Good Hope” is “a song Michelle [Obama] and I love,” the former president wrote, describing Hansard as “a great musician.” He added, “Our hearts go out to his family.”
The collection quickly picks up the pace with R&B singer Gabriel Jacoby’s 2025 single “The One” and SZA and Doechii’s collab “Girl, Get Up.” From there, Obama delves into a “sad bug summer” with Noah Kahan, jams out with Earth , Wind & Fire and enters the southern Florida rap scene with BossMan Dlow.
“It’s A Motion Party We Gotta Let Obama Innn,” BossMan Dlow wrote in a comment on Obama’s Instagram post, referencing lyrics from his own hit song, “Motion Party.” Meanwhile, Sheryl Crow was touched by the inclusion of “The Book” from her self-titled 1996 album.
“Man, I’m super honored that someone I admire so much is listening to a deep deep cut from my second record,” Crow commented. “Very cool, @barackobama!”
See the 46 songs on Obama’s summer 2026 playlist
When he’s not listening to relative newcomers such as Baby Rose, Leon Thomas, Raye and Gvrden Boy, Obama is learning into classics from Luther Vandross, Chaka Khan, David Bowie, The Beatles, Neil Young, Nina Simone and Johnny Cash.
“I’m always looking for new songs to listen to,” Obama wrote. “So please share any recommendations in the comments.”
- “Song of Good Hope,” Glen Hansard
- “The One,” Gabriel Jacoby
- “Girl, Get Up.” Doechii & SZA
- “West Memphis,” Yebba
- “Doors,” Noah Kahan
- “Can’t Hide Love,” Earth, Wind & Fire
- “Going Shopping,” The Strokes
- “Idea 1,” Kelela
- “Make Me Wanna,” October London
- “I Feel Good,” Fred Hammond
- “One Eyed Jack,” Charley Crockett
- “Inglés en Miami,” Rawayana & Manuel Turizo
- “White Flag,” Vince Staples
- “Rubber Band Man,” Mumford & Sons ft. Hozier
- “Motion Party,” BossMan Dlow
- “La Father (Remix),” Vale Pintos, Brytiago, Casper Mágico & Héctor “El Father”
- “Fiesta,” Gvrden Boy
- “Self Aware,” Temper City
- “She Did It Again,” Tyla ft. Zara Larsson
- “Friends Again,” Baby Rose ft. Leon Thomas
- “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” Luther Vandross
- “Ain’t Nobody,” Chaka Khan
- “Emmanuele,” Abel Selaocoe
- “Message in a Bottle,” The Police
- “Modern Love,” David Bowie
- “The Book,” Sheryl Crow
- “Award Tour,” A Tribe Called Quest ft. Trugoy The Dove
- “Revolution,” The Beatles
- “Hit the Ground,” Lizz Wright
- “Charlie Brown,” Coldplay
- “Don’t Worry Baby,” Los Lobos
- “Let’s Get It On,” Marvin Gaye
- “I Ka Barra,” Habib Koité & Bamada
- “(I Know) I’m Losing You,” The Temptations
- “Do the Do,” Howlin’ Wolf
- “Road to Zion,” Damian Marley ft. Nas
- “Where Is My Husband!” Raye
- “In the Dark,” Nina Simone
- “Heart of Gold,” Neil Young
- “Ran to Atlanta,” Drake ft. Future & Molly Santana
- “Folsom Prison Blues,” Johnny Cash
- “Hold On, I’m Comin’,” Sam & Dave
- “Candela,” Buena Vista Social Club
- “Yada Yada,” Anderson .Paak
- “You Go to My Head,” Ledisi ft. Paul Jackson Jr.
- “Strode Rode,” Sonny Rollins
Obama summer reading list released
The two-term president also let the public take a peek at his 2026 reading list, which featured a mix of new buzzy releases and authors he’s featured in the past. For the full list, head here.