FORMER US President Barack Obama has revealed he is a fan of U2 after including the Irish band’s iconic anthem Beautiful Day on a playlist of “memorable songs” from his time in the White House.
An avid music fan famed for his eclectic taste, Obama revealed the list of favourite tracks from his two terms as President ahead of the release of his new memoir, A Promised Land.
U2 were in good company on the compilation, which also includes songs from the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, BB King and Beyoncé.
The impressive track listing also includes songs by Frank Sinatra, Fleetwood Mac, JAY-Z, Miles Davis, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Sade, John Coltrane and Eminem.
"Music has always played an important role in my life - and that was especially true during my presidency," the 59-year-old explained in a tweet accompanying the playlist.
"In honor of my book hitting shelves tomorrow, I put together this playlist featuring some memorable songs from my administration. Hope you enjoy it."
Music has always played an important role in my life—and that was especially true during my presidency. In honor of my book hitting shelves tomorrow, I put together this playlist featuring some memorable songs from my administration. Hope you enjoy it. pic.twitter.com/xWiNQiZzN0
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 16, 2020
Obama also went on to explain the reasoning behind his some of his song choices and what the tracks remind him of from his time as President.
He said: "While reviewing my notes ahead of debates, I’d listen to Jay-Z’s 'My 1st Song' or Frank Sinatra’s 'Luck Be a Lady'.
“Throughout our time in the White House, Michelle and I invited artists like Stevie Wonder and Gloria Estefan to conduct afternoon workshops with young people before performing an evening show in the East Room,” he added
“And there were all sorts of performances I’ll always remember—like Beyoncé performing 'At Last' for our first dance at our inauguration, Paul McCartney serenading Michelle in the East Room with, 'Michelle' and Bob Dylan flashing me a grin before vanishing after his performance of 'Times They Are a-Changin'.”
A regular list-maker, this is not the first time Obama has included a U2 song in one of his countdowns.
The track Ordinary Love (Extraordinary Mix) from U2's Songs of Experience previously featured on his list of "favourite songs of 2017.
Obama also used U2’s music as a key part of both his successful presidential campaigns with Beautiful Day and City Of Blinding Lights featuring in 2008 and 2012 respectively.
The former President’s picks did not go unnoticed by Twitter’s Irish contingent with Pierce Brosnan among those to praise his choices, responding to the original tweet with a simple shamrock emoji and a heart.
