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The inauguration team of President-elect Joe Biden and future Vice-President Kamala Harris released an official inaugural playlist, with 46 songs to represent the 46th incoming president, ranging from the golden oldies of Steely Dan (“Do It Again ”) to the very last,“ Good Days ”, which was just released on Christmas Day.
As you might expect, it’s in the same eclectic, inclusive, and ambitious spirit as former President Barack Obama’s signature playlists (otherwise enough as bizarrely as some of Obama’s post-presidential roundups have been, without Malia and Sasha to prepare it with their choices).
Now available on all major streaming services, the playlist sometimes goes self-service, with vintage and contemporary inclusions that weren’t necessarily staples of the pre-election campaign, from the instrumental classic ‘Pick Up the Pieces ”from Average White Band to the modern band centered on Black Lives Matter,“ Free ”by Sault. Currently Grammy nominees Dua Lipa and Kaytranada introduce themselves, as do relatively current artists like Burna Boy, Internet, MF Doom, Major Lazer and Tame Impala. Boomer tunes are also well represented between Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin and Bob Marley.
The key ingredients, of course, are of course the walk or walk music for Biden, Harris, and their spouses, familiar to those who have been following the 2020 campaign closely.
Biden’s personal campaign music is repeated as “We Take Care of Our Own” by Bruce Springsteen. Mary J. Blige’s “Work That”, of course, has been a staple of her campaign since the night she was announced as Biden’s choice of vice president. Dr. Jill Biden has Daryl Hall and “You Make My Dreams” by John Oates as the theme; “You Get What You Give” by New Radicals is Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff’s choice.
Many songs were clearly chosen for their uplifting spirit, even if they were not substantial hits, like “Optimistic” from Sounds of Blackness. As for the sad “What a Fool Believes” by the Doobie Brothers, one can only assume that a member of the committee felt that one would assume that this one applies to the other camp, since Team Biden’s choices have generally not been as deaf as Trump choosing the gay ‘YMCA’ anthem and the cynical ‘You Can’t Always Get What you want”.
While the 46 songs stand out for their large demographics, the playlist strangely and conspicuously lacks a single selection from one of the country’s most popular forms of music – country – or anything even from the older genres. left Americana or roots music, suggesting that the committee that made the choices weren’t giving too much thought to increasing the appeal to Biden’s heart.
Tony Allen, CEO of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, said in a statement: “In a tumultuous year that has separated so many loved ones, music has been a constant vehicle that has kept us connected. Whether you are a soul country, a jazz enthusiast, a hip-hop, a classic or just an old-fashioned rock’n’roll follower, music clarifies, inspires, unites and heals. Today, we’re excited to share President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris’s official inaugural reading list with the nation. These songs and artists reflect the relentless spirit and rich diversity of America. They mark a new chapter and will help bring people together as the Biden-Harris administration begins its important work to unite our country. “
The committee said it had teamed up with D Nice and Raedio, Issa Rae’s label, to release the playlist. It is set up on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and Amazon Music, with a different “special mix” prepared for Soundcloud.
Find the Spotify version here.
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