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Barack Obama's 'best songs of 2017' playlist is another reminder of stark differences to Donald Trump
It's hard to imagine the 45th President bumping SZA
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Your support makes all the difference.I don't imagine President Trump to really listen to music (not least because it must be a struggle to find time for it amid all that television), but pushed to name three songs he enjoyed I imagine them to be 'The Star-Spangled Banner', the Benny Hill theme and anything by Toby Keith.
President Obama, however, has a more sophisticated taste in music and started publicly charting it when he took office - something he's decided to continue post-administration.
The list is wide-ranging in terms of genre, taking in country (Chris Stapleton) and indie (The National), but rap and hip-hop dominates.
One of Obama's favourite artists, Kendrick Lamar, was of course is in there, but so were many of his peers, including Jay-Z, Chance The Rapper, Young Thug, Rihanna, Bryson Tiller, Beyoncé, French Montana, Swae Lee, Frank Ocean, Travis Scott and SZA.
"During my presidency, I started a tradition of sharing my reading lists and playlists," Obama wrote on Facebook.
"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.
"From songs that got me moving to stories that inspired me, here's my 2017 list — I hope you enjoy it and have a happy and healthy New Year."
Obama's picks (+ Spotify playlist - minus a couple of tracks that aren't available) in full:
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!)
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