Former President Barack Obama revived one of his signature summer traditions: sharing a new playlist that blends chart-toppers with classic hits spanning genres.“Here are some of the songs I’ve been listening to this summer,” Obama wrote Thursday in a post on X. “It starts with a song Michelle and I love by Glen Hansard, a great musician who passed tragically this week. Our hearts go out to his family.”
Obama’s 2026 playlist features more than 170 songs and continues the tradition he began while in the White House of sharing his favorite music during the summer months. His selections have long attracted attention for blending rock, R&B, hip-hop, country, jazz, pop, and international artists.
The former president’s annual summer playlists have become a cultural event, generating a widespread discussion on social media as fans dissect his music choices and debate notable inclusions and omissions. The former president has frequently said the lists reflect his personal listening habits rather than recommendations from staff, according to the Hill.
Here are some of the songs I've been listening to this summer. It starts with a song Michelle and I love by Glen Hansard, a great musician who passed tragically this week. Our hearts go out to his family. pic.twitter.com/3A1trYfXfx— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 30, 2026
