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Barack Obama pays tribute to Glen Hansard in summer playlist
31st July, 2026 01:31 AM
Former United States President Barack Obama has paid tribute to Irish musician Glen Hansard while unveiling his annual summer playlist, saying he and former First Lady Michelle Obama shared a special connection to one of the late artiste’s songs.
In a post shared on his Instagram page on Thursday, July 30, 2026, Obama revealed the songs that have been on repeat during the summer. However, before diving into the long and varied playlist, he took a moment to remember Hansard, whom he described as a great musician whose death had saddened him and his family.
“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,” Obama stated.
The playlist opens with Song of Good Hope by Hansard, setting a reflective tone before moving through an eclectic collection of music spanning soul, hip-hop, country, reggae, gospel, rock, jazz, and Afrobeats.
Among the featured artistes are Earth, Wind & Fire, The Strokes, David Bowie, The Beatles, Marvin Gaye, Johnny Cash, Coldplay and Neil Young.
The playlist also shines a light on contemporary names including Tyla, SZA, Doechii, Drake, Future, Leon Thomas and RAYE.
From gospel favourites such as Fred Hammond’s I Feel Good to reggae classics like Damian Marley’s Road to Zion featuring Nas, the collection travels across generations and genres without feeling out of place. There are moments for quiet reflection, songs for a road trip, tracks to dance to in the kitchen and classics that many listeners have probably heard more times than they can count.
Obama’s list also includes songs such as Modern Love by David Bowie, Message in a Bottle by The Police, Heart of Gold by Neil Young, Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash and Hold On, I’m Comin’ by Sam & Dave, alongside newer releases from artists including Tyla, October London and Anderson.Paak.
