Barack Obama has shared a playlist of music to accompany his new book, A Promised Land.

In the stirring, highly anticipated first volume of his presidential memoirs, Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world, describing in strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency – a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil.

Obama says:

‘Music has always played an important role throughout my life – and that was especially true during my presidency. 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. 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”.

‘So in honour of my book coming out […], I thought I’d put together a playlist with some of those songs. Hope you enjoy it.’

Listen to the playlist here:

Categories International Non-fiction

Tags A Promised Land Barack Obama Music Penguin Random House SA