President Obama’s Summer Playlist 2015 Reviewed!

The first thing that jumps out here is the complete lack of  influence his teenage daughters  have over Barack Obama on this playlist. one of whom is pictured above in a “Pro Era” tee shirt -the rap collective which includes Joey Bada$$ and Dirty Sanchez. Perhaps we don’t expect the POTUS to be namechecking them, but this is the man who quoted Jay Z’s “Dirt Off Your Shoulders” on the Presidential trail and pals about with Queen Bey, so he must have a feel for pop but pop is resolutely invisible.

No Drake (cmon, where is “Hold On We’re Going Home” at least?), no Tay or Katy Perry or Wiz or…

I think the answer is that the Prez has enough problems in this world without a Spotify list controversy, right?

Still, I’d love to hear a Malia Obama playlist… it is the least we deserve.

Till then, I’ve graded the songs by number so I can give the playlist an overall grade…

1. “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” – The Temptations – POTUS may be just a touch young for this, still an instant classic – 10

2. “Live It Up” – Isley Brothers – So many to choose from by the Isley brothers, the raucuous ending is definitely worth a nod – 9

3. “Memories Live” – Talib Kweli & Hi Tek – Where is Mos Def?? A glorious nostalgia rap about the birth of genre not now when “cats rap about packing a nine”. Smart move by POTUS, he can embrace rap without applauding bad behavior – 8

4. “Tombstone Blues” – Bob Dylan – He must have been smoking weed in college – 10

5. “So Much Trouble in the World” – Bob Marley – Forget the politics, Obama was 18 years old when this was released – 7

6. “Paradise” – Coldplay – If we must have Coldplay, this is absolutely the song to go with – 8

7. “Tengo Un Trato (Remix)” – Mala Rodriguez – Spanish rap but definitely not Reggaeton,this is a superb slice of Spain with a crafted beat behind it – 8

8. “Wang Dang Doodle” – Howlin Wolf – Blues classic needs no introduction here – 10

9. “Another Star” – Stevie Wonder – I wonder if he snuck into the Songs In The Key Of Life concert? – 9

10. “Hot Fun in the Summertime” – Sly & the Family Stone – Well, it is a summer mix – 8

11. “Boozophilia” – Low Cut Connie – 50s style rock and roll, I’m surprised he knows it – 7

12. “Wherever Is Your Heart” – Brandi Carlile – My fave of the current spate of Americana women, this is a fine song – 7

13. “Good Day” – Nappy Roots – And you think all black country  is  Hootie, right? – 8

14. “Green Light” – John Legend – Yuck, but note we didn’t get the Kweezy remix – 4

15. “Gimme Shelter” – Rolling Stones – Cmon, I’m not gonna review this – 10

16. “Rock Steady” – Aretha Franklin Off 72s Young, Gifted And Black album – 10

17. “Down Down the Deep River” – Okkervil River – Not cray about these Americana guys – 5

18. “Pusher Love Girl” – Justin Timberlake – I would have claimed this as the girl’s pop song for poppy, but it was over two years ago, so maybe it is just good taste – 8

19. “Shake It Out” – Florence + The Machine – The one Welch track we can all agree upon – 8

20. “La Salsa La Traigo Yo” – Sonora Carruseles- Afro Caribbean dance track -what’s not to like? – 8

The POTUS Grade: 7.35 -consider it a B+