The Songs Barack Obama Says Helped Shape America’s Story

Former President Barack Obama is reflecting on the music he believes helped define the United States, tracing the country's history through spirituals, gospel, protest songs, jazz, and hip-hop in a sweeping new essay examining music's role in shaping American identity. Rather than focusing solely on favorite songs, Obama described music as one of the country's most powerful storytelling tools — one capable of documenting struggle, hope, protest, and social change long before politics often catches up.

In the essay, Obama argued that music repeatedly helped move America forward during pivotal moments throughout history. He pointed to spiritual songs created by enslaved people, gospel music tied to the Civil Rights Movement, protest music, jazz innovation, and hip-hop culture as examples of music acting as a kind of emotional and cultural record for the country.

Obama wrote that Black music in particular often served as a reflection of America's contradictions while helping push larger conversations around identity, equality, and progress. He described music as a force that repeatedly opened doors culturally before institutions followed behind.

The essay also included personal listening habits from his presidential campaigns. Obama revealed that during his first run for office he initially leaned on jazz recordings before debates, listening to tracks like Miles Davis' Freddie Freeloader and John Coltrane's My Favorite Things. Eventually, however, hip-hop became part of his pre-event routine.

Two songs became especially important: Jay-Z's My 1st Song and Eminem's Lose Yourself. Obama said the tracks helped him mentally prepare and reconnect with the stakes of the campaign. He described those moments in the back of Secret Service vehicles as opportunities to tune out the larger spectacle surrounding presidential politics.

Music has long played a visible role in Obama's public life. Throughout and after his presidency he frequently shared playlists and highlighted artists across genres, from hip-hop and R&B to rock and jazz. His annual music lists often become events of their own and have featured everyone from Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé to Harry Styles and Bruce Springsteen.

For Obama, however, the larger message appeared less about individual tracks and more about music's role in documenting America itself.

Because sometimes history is written in speeches.

And sometimes it's written in songs.