Obama unveils summer playlist − See the songs that made the cut

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.

Need a book? Obama's summer reading list includes authors he's loved for years and new favorites

"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.

Obama's 2025 wrapped: Lady Gaga, Zadie Smith, Olivia Dean, more playlist tracks

"I'm always looking for new songs to listen to," Obama wrote. "So please share any recommendations in the comments."

1. "Song of Good Hope," Glen Hansard
2. "The One," Gabriel Jacoby
3. "Girl, Get Up." Doechii & SZA
4. "West Memphis," Yebba
5. "Doors," Noah Kahan
6. "Can't Hide Love," Earth, Wind & Fire
7. "Going Shopping," The Strokes
8. "Idea 1," Kelela
9. "Make Me Wanna," October London
10. "I Feel Good," Fred Hammond
11. "One Eyed Jack," Charley Crockett
12. "Inglés en Miami," Rawayana & Manuel Turizo
13. "White Flag," Vince Staples
14. "Rubber Band Man," Mumford & Sons ft. Hozier
15. "Motion Party," BossMan Dlow
16. "La Father (Remix)," Vale Pintos, Brytiago, Casper Mágico & Héctor “El Father”
17. "Fiesta," Gvrden Boy
18. "Self Aware," Temper City
19. "She Did It Again," Tyla ft. Zara Larsson
20. "Friends Again," Baby Rose ft. Leon Thomas
21. "Anyone Who Had a Heart," Luther Vandross
22. "Ain’t Nobody," Chaka Khan
23. "Emmanuele," Abel Selaocoe
24. "Message in a Bottle," The Police
25. "Modern Love," David Bowie
26. "The Book," Sheryl Crow
27. "Award Tour," A Tribe Called Quest ft. Trugoy The Dove
28. "Revolution," The Beatles
29. "Hit the Ground," Lizz Wright
30. "Charlie Brown," Coldplay
31. "Don’t Worry Baby," Los Lobos
32. "Let’s Get It On," Marvin Gaye
33. "I Ka Barra," Habib Koité & Bamada
34. "(I Know) I’m Losing You," The Temptations
35. "Do the Do," Howlin’ Wolf
36. "Road to Zion," Damian Marley ft. Nas
37. "Where Is My Husband!" Raye
38. "In the Dark," Nina Simone
39. "Heart of Gold," Neil Young
40. "Ran to Atlanta," Drake ft. Future & Molly Santana
41. "Folsom Prison Blues," Johnny Cash
42. "Hold On, I’m Comin'," Sam & Dave
43. "Candela," Buena Vista Social Club
44. "Yada Yada," Anderson .Paak
45. "You Go to My Head," Ledisi ft. Paul Jackson Jr.
46. "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.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Obama unveils summer playlist − See the songs that made the cut