Throughout his presidency, Obama was known for assembling playlists that showed a keen taste of music, both old and new.
The Obama Foundation has continued this tradition by posting a new playlist to Spotify featuring songs inspired by his hometown of Chicago.
Guest-curated by Chance, Mavis Staples, Jennifer Hudson, Nick Offerman, Dan Ackroyd and more, the playlist is intended to continue growing over time, but remains focused on Chicago for now.
Opening with local soul band JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound’s cover of Wilco’s “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart” is about as Chicago as it gets, but the inclusion of multiple songs by Kanye West, Chance’s “Blessings,” Frank Sinatra’s “Chicago” and the “Go Cubs Go” anthem are other obvious choices included.
Stranger are the inclusions of two tracks from Tom Waits’ Mule Variations, Mali Music’s “I Believe,” and the incredible inclusion of the Chicago-referencing Liz Phair song “Stratford-On-Guy.”
Listen to the playlist below.
