There's no way Obama is brat
A not-very-serious close read of Barack Obama's summer playlist.
Today, Barack Obama shared his summer playlist, a blend of new songs and familiar classics that he claims he’s been listening to this year. I’ve long been a Barack Obama best-of list truther: there’s no way he actually has seen, let alone likes, some of the things on these lists1. He insists that he makes them himself, but admits that “there are times — on the playlists, on the music lists — where I will get suggestions.”
I don’t think the lists are completely made up. This is probably how it goes: his team will play him songs to consider for these playlists, and if he likes it, it goes in. There are political considerations and reputational concerns, too. If Obama really wanted to be transparent, he’d just share his Spotify Wrapped like the rest of us2.
The summer playlist is different from his year-end lists, because it has a mix of fresh tracks and classic cuts. All of the older songs on this summer’s playlist seem to be legit. President or not, a 63-year-old biracial man from Chicago would absolutely have Norah Jones and “No Diggity” and The Supremes in heavy rotation. The newer tracks can feel like exercises in brand management, even if he actually does like them. What’s more interesting to consider are the songs that he’s definitely heard, whether organically or in a meeting with his social media team, but doesn’t like. The omissions are what truly reveal his personal taste3.
Here’s a list of the new songs on Obama’s summer playlist, categorized by whether or not he actually likes them, with some annotations. Whether or not it captures his actual listening habits, it’s a pretty good playlist, especially the songs released before this year.
Songs That Are on Obama’s Actual Summer Playlist
Shaboozey, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
This song, along with the Beyoncé track, is the one that’s most believably in rotation.
Tems, “Love Me Jeje”
Carminho, “O Quarto (Soundtrack Version)”
This is the fado we hear in the movie Poor Things, during the Lisbon section. Poor Things, however, is not on his list of favorite movies of 2023! Three explanations: he didn’t like the movie but liked this scene, he saw the movie after the list was published, or he wanted to put it on his list but the team said no for brand reputation reasons. I’m gonna choose to believe the latter!
Bonny Light Horseman, “Old Dutch”
Willow, “Symptom of Life”
Will Smith’s daughter is probably a family friend.
Paul Russell, “Lil Boo Thang”
This is a song that you’d hear in a Target commercial.
Beyoncé, “Texas Hold ‘Em”
It would be saying something if all of Cowboy Carter were snubbed.
Songs That Obama Likes, but Heard It for the First Time During a Meeting with His Social Media Team
Billie Eilish, “Chihiro”
The fact that this isn’t “Birds of a Feather” is the biggest tell that this is a song he genuinely enjoys.
Hope Tala, “I Can’t Even Cry”
ENNY, “Charge It”
Myles Smith, “Stargazing”
Saweetie, “My Best”
Rema, “Yayo”
Moneybagg Yo ft. Morgan Wallen, “Whiskey Whiskey”
This is such a weird inclusion that he has to actually like this.
Bad Bunny & Feid, “Perro Negro”
There Is No Way Obama Genuinely Likes These Songs
Charli XCX, “365”
Probably the most BS song on the whole playlist. On one hand, no one believes that the 44th President of the United States is having a brat summer. On the other hand, he used to do coke.
Pitchfork may be right: brat summer is dead. It’s almost Kamala Autumn.
Artemas, “I Like the Way You Kiss Me”
Tommy Richman, “Million Dollar Baby”
Chris Jedi, Gaby Music & Dei V ft. Anuel AA and Ozuna, “Bad Boy”
GloRilla & Megan Thee Stallion, “Wanna Be”
Tyla, Gunna and Skillibeng, “Jump”
Songs That Obama Has Heard and Definitely Does Not Like, as Evidenced by Their Exclusion From the Playlist
Sabrina Carpenter, “Espresso” and “Please Please Please”
Obama is working late, but it’s not because he’s a singer.
Clairo, “Sexy to Someone” and “Juna”
Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen, “I Had Some Help”
Chappell Roan, “Good Luck, Babe!”
Earlier this year, Roan declined to perform at the White House, citing her support for trans rights and the people of Gaza. Perhaps Obama is trying to avoid what happened last year, when Lucy Dacus called him a war criminal after being featured in his summer playlist, or the year before, when Ethel Cain had similarly frosty reaction.
Ethel Cain, Lucy Dacus, and Chappell Roan have at least one thing in common... makes u think
Tinashe, “Nasty”
Now imagine if this was on the list.
Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”
The most glaring omission. I actually think he likes this song, but sadly, his team won’t let him publicly take sides in the Drake-Kendrick feud. He’s previously said that Kendrick would beat Drake in a rap battle!!!
The former President of the United States making time to watch Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy? That’s the real fantasy!
But I’m guessing he’s an Apple Music user.
This especially applies the most for his movie lists. The most organic list, btw, are his book lists.
I get the feeling a lot of this list was influenced by what happened with Lucy Dacus last year. Wouldn't be surprised if they have considered canning or slowly phasing this out since then. Awkward moments like the one with Chappell are going to keep on happening and making this so disingenuous (though it always has been).