Just when you thought you were finally done with year-end lists, former president Barack Obama has stepped up to share his favorite songs of 2017. "During my presidency, I started a tradition of sharing my reading lists and playlists,” Obama wrote in a post to Facebook 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.”
Obama proceeded to share both his favorite books and music of the year. As we've seen on his previous Summer Playlists, Barack is a fan of Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and Chance The Rapper, all of whom are represented on his new year-end list. More surprising inclusions are Toronto newcomer Daniel Caesar with "Blessed," Travis Scott with "Butterfly Effect," French Montana and Swae Lee with "Unforgettable, and SZA with "Broken Clocks" (a deep cut!). Check out the full list of songs below. A good start to your NYE playlist perhaps?
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!)