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White House launches Spotify page with playlists by President Obama

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In the ongoing battle among music streaming services to snag high-profile curators, Spotify has just announced quite the coup: the White House.

The world’s most popular streaming service revealed on Friday that the world’s most powerful man, President Obama, and his administration have launched an official channel on Spotify, and will be contributing playlists to the service. The president released the contents of his first two playlists on Friday through his @potus Twitter account.

The first, called “The President’s Summer Playlist: Day,” was designed for daytime listening, and is a predictably Obama-ian mix of soul, funk, rock and Latin music, the surprises of which include tracks by Okkervil River, Brandi Carlile, John Legend (feat. Andre 3000), Mala Rodriguez and Low Cut Connie. Add in Obama staples including the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Bob Marley and the Wailers and the result is an easy-going (if oft-predictable) set for a summer’s day.

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The night mix is quieter, though the president (or his music advisor) seems to take pains to stay away from candlelit seduction, preferring less saucy downtempo songs by artists including Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Lianne La Havas, Beyonce, Leonard Cohen and others.

According to a Spotify announcement accompanying the news, the White House will go deep into the Obama administration for its curators, offering clues as to the listening habits inside the White House.

Said Spotify: “Over the years, the White House has continued to grow its social media presences and find new ways to connect with people all over the country through a range of platforms. On Spotify, you can expect to see the White House share playlists created by administration officials, as well as playlists curated around events and issues to engage the public and acquaint them with the people working in the administration.”

Below is a full rundown of the two playlists:

“The President’s Summer Playlist: Day”

Temptations, “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”
The Isley Brothers, “Live It Up, Pts. 1 & 2”
Reflection Eternal, “Memories Live”
Bob Dylan, “Tombstone Blues”
Bob Marley and the Wailers, “So Much Trouble in the World”
Coldplay, “Paradise”
Mala Rodríguez, “Tengo Un Trato”
Howlin’ Wolf, “Wang Dang Doodle”
Stevie Wonder, “Another Star”
Sly & The Family Stone, “Hot Fun in the Summertime”
Low Cut Connie, “Boozophilia”
Brandi Carlile, “Wherever Is Your Heart”
Nappy Roots, “Good Day”
John Legend, André 3000, “Green Light”
The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter”
Aretha Franklin, “Rock Steady”
Okkervil River, “Down Down the Deep River”
Justin Timberlake, “Pusher Love Girl”
Florence + The Machine, “Shake It Out”
Sonora Carruseles, “La Salsa La Traigo Yo”

“The President’s Summer Playlist: Night”

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John Coltrane, “My Favorite Things”
Beyoncé ft. Frank Ocean, “Superpower”
Van Morrison, “Moondance”
Lianne La Havas, “Is Your Love Big Enough?”
Al Green, “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart”
Aoife O’Donovan, “Red & White & Blue & Gold”
Lauryn Hill ft. D’Angelo, ”Nothing Even Matters”
Frank Sinatra, “The Best Is Yet to Come”
Ray Charles, “You Don’t Know Me”
Mary J. Blige, “I Found My Everything”
Joni Mitchell, “Help Me”
Otis Redding, “I’ve Got Dreams to Remember”
Leonard Cohen, “Suzanne”
Nina Simone, “Feeling Good”
The Lumineers, “Stubborn Love”
Cassandra Wilson, “Until”
Mos Def, “UMI Says”
Billie Holiday, “The Very Thought of You”
Miles Davis, “Flamenco Sketches”
Erykah Badu, “Woo”

Follow Randall Roberts on Twitter: @liledit

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