Obama Puts Glen Hansard, Beatles, Drake on Songs of the Summer List

Barack Obama shared his annual songs of the summer playlist on Thursday, and as always, the former president included an eclectic mix hits old and new, while also using this list to honor late Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard.

Hansard, who died this week in a motorcycle accident, has the first slot on the list this year with his “Song of Good Hope,” which Obama called “a song Michelle and I love,” further calling Hansard “a great musician who passed tragically this week. Our hearts go out to his family.”

Obama is one of many prominent figures around the world paying tribute to Hansard this week, with Billie Eilish, Finneas, Bono, Hozier and Bruce Springsteen all sharing their condolences since yesterday. Eilish said she “wouldn’t be who I am today without Glen,” while her brother said Hansard’s Once hit “Falling Slowly” was the first song he ever performed live.

Beyond Hansard, Obama’s playlist this year includes nearly 50 songs, including Noah Kahan’s “Doors,” Raye’s “Where is my Husband!,” Drake, Future and Molly Santana’s “Ran to Atlanta,” the Beatles’ “Revolution,” Doechii and SZA’s “girl, get up.” and Tyla and Zara Larrson’s “She Did It Again,” among many more.

Obama shared the playlist a day after dropping his summer reading list, which had included Tayari Jones’ Kin, Ann Patchett’s Whistler and Colson Whitehead’s Cool Machine.

Obama shared his playlist about a month after having a star-studded concert himself for the opening of his Presidential Center in Chicago, sharing the stage with the likes of Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Eddie Vedder, Bono and the Edge, Common and the Roots.