President Obama Curates Two Summer Playlists Via Spotify

They’re all part of the 20-song “Summer Night” playlist released by the White House Friday. The Temptations and Aretha, The Isley Brothers earn a slot as well.

The daytime playlist hits a nice pace pretty quickly with 2000 Memories Live, a slinky slice of uplifting hip-hop consciousness by Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek, a.k.a. Reflection Eternal. “So Much Trouble in the World” – Bob Marley 6. No Sheryl Crow, despite Obama’s previously stated affinity; Coldplay’s “Paradise” is the uncool outlier here. Besides, any missteps should be forgiven and forgotten by the time you get to Howlin’ Wolf’s rowdy, rumbly 1960 recording of “Wang Dang Doodle”. “Another Star” – Stevie Wonder 10. “Wherever Is Your Heart” – Brandi Carlile 13.

Boozophilia did rank number #31 on Rolling Stones list for best songs of 2012 right between Bruce Springsteen and The Beach Boys, but Low Cut Connie for many is still a secret gem of Philadelphia.

“Down Down the Deep River” – OK, which intern told Obama that it would be cool to include Okkervil River? “Pusher Love Girl” – Justin Timberlake 19.

Among the most current of Obama’s selections was a track by Florence and the Machine, the British rockers who have won glowing acclaim among alternative rock fans and critics. The second, evening-themed playlist starts out a bit bolder with John Coltrane and also features Beyoncé, Mos Def, Otis Redding and Erykah Badu.

What do Van Morrison, Leonard Cohen and Lianne La Havas have in common? “Is Your Love Big Enough?”

British singer-songwriter and guitarist Lianne La Havas was in her dressing room at the Flow Festival in Helsinki, Finland, when the news came. “Red & White & Blue & Gold” – Aoife O’Donovan 7.