Ever since his two terms in the White House, Barack Obama has continued sharing his summer playlist of both old favorites and fresh tunes. This year's selections range from timeless oldies (the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody") and acclaimed indie rock (Boygenius' "Not Strong Enough") to a trio of songs from the country and Americana genres.
Obama's played a teensy part in the massive success of Luke Combs' cover of Tracy Chapman's 1988 hit "Fast Car." When Combs' version reached the top of Billboard's Country Airplay chart, it made Chapman the first Black woman to solo write a country chart-topper.
"I never expected to find myself on the country charts, but I'm honored to be there," Chapman told Billboard. "I'm happy for Luke and his success and grateful that new fans have found and embraced 'Fast Car.'"
Like I do every year, here are some songs I’ve been listening to this summer — a mix of old and new. Look forward to hearing what I’ve missed. pic.twitter.com/H2Do2iaD1p
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 20, 2023
The 44th president's also been jamming "The Devil I Know," the title track of Ashley McBryde's forthcoming album (out Sept. 8 via Warner Music Nashville). It's about shutting out the noise when others cast stones.
"We're always hearing something from somebody who thinks they know what's best for us," McBryde shared in a press release. "Lose weight, your hair's too curly, change this, change that. Things just seem to go better when you trust your own lens to see what's good for you."
Lastly, Obama's been digging Americana duo The War and Treaty's "Ain't No Harmin' Me," which is from the group's 2023 album Lover's Game.
A powerful song filled with Biblical analogies about overcoming pitfalls, "Ain't No Harmin' Me" is one of the best showcases to date of Tanya Trotter's powerful and arresting vocal delivery— and the beautiful music she makes with her partner in music and matrimony, Michael Trotter. As songwriters, they outdid themselves with such lines as: "I taste the nectar/ Of the forbidden tree. My eyes have been open/ To your bitter schemes. Ain't no way you can harm me."
