Barack Obama Names Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, U2 to 2017 Favorite Songs List
Bruce Springsteen, Harry Styles, SZA, Frank Ocean and Chance the Rapper also among former president's picks
Barack Obama continued his annual tradition of naming his favorite songs of 2017, with the former president listing tracks by Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, U2 and Bruce Springsteen among his picks.
"During my presidency, I started a tradition of sharing my reading lists and playlists," Obama wrote on his Facebook page Sunday. "It was a nice way to reflect on the works that resonated with me and lift up authors and artists from around the world. With some extra time on my hands this year to catch up, I wanted to share the books and music that I enjoyed most." Kendrick Lamar's "Humble," Jay-Z's "Family Feud" (which recently received an all-star video), U2's Songs of Experience deluxe edition cut "Ordinary Love (Extraordinary Mix)" and Frank Ocean's "Chanel" were among Obama's picks. The diverse list also included Obama's surprising pop favorites (Harry Styles' 50 Best Songs of 2017-topping "Sign of the Times," Camila Cabello's "Havana"), hip-hop songs (Travis Scott's "Butterfly Effect," Chance the Rapper's "First World Problems"), indie rock cuts (The National's "The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness," Portugal. The Man's "Feel It Still"), soul songs (Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings' "Matter of Time," Mavis Staples' "Little Bit") and even country tracks (Chris Stapleton's "Millionaire"). Branded Content from IKEA® Save up to 50% on Select Items Through January 10 During the IKEA Winter Sale Obama closed out his list by giving props to 2017's breakout R&B singer SZA and her song "Broken Clocks" as well as the Broadway rendition of Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A.," with Obama adding, "[it's] not out yet, but the blues version in his Broadway show is the best!" Check out Obama's entire list of his favorite 2017 songs below: My favorite songs of 2017: Mi Gente by J Balvin & Willy William Havana by Camila Cabello (feat. Young Thug) Blessed by Daniel Caesar The Joke by Brandi Carlile First World Problems by Chance The Rapper (feat. Daniel Caesar) Rise Up by Andra Day Wild Thoughts by DJ Khaled (feat. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller) Family Feud by Jay-Z (feat. Beyoncé) Humble by Kendrick Lamar La Dame et Ses Valises by Les Amazones d’Afrique (feat. Nneka) Unforgettable by French Montana (feat. Swae Lee) The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness by The National Chanel by Frank Ocean Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man Butterfly Effect by Travis Scott Matter of Time by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings Little Bit by Mavis Staples Millionaire by Chris Stapleton Sign of the Times by Harry Styles Broken Clocks by SZA Ordinary Love (Extraordinary Mix) by U2 *Bonus: Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen (not out yet, but the blues version in his Broadway show is the best!)
