Former president Barack Obama released his annual summer playlist and Twitter had a lot to say about this year's choices. One song in particular seemed to be particularly shocking to the public.
Yo we gotta talk about Astronaut in the Ocean you can’t sneak that in there https://t.co/Mg6VqLl22x
— TOXIC SHACK (@WeAreAllShack) July 10, 2021
Obama started the tradition of sharing his favorite books and music with the public while he was in office and the tradition stuck even after he left office. There's always a bit of discussion about what songs get included, but the reactions to the inclusion of the viral song 'Astronaut in the Ocean' by Australian rapper Masked Wolf were mixed to say the least.
ASTRONAUT IN THE OCEAN TEARS ARE IN MY EYES I CANNOT STOP LAUGHING https://t.co/VDFldqr8QQ
— morgan (@mopetting) July 10, 2021
Astronaut in the ocean though? Smh https://t.co/6IfhkyjDW1
— Ty The Science Guy (@Mr_Wils0n) July 10, 2021
The song, which was released in 2019, went viral on TikTok the next year when users started playing in the background of their slow motion actions scenes. Something that did not go unnoticed, when the song showed up on Obama's playlist.
I can’t unsee Barack Obama walking out to astronaut in the ocean ???? pic.twitter.com/WgVI8jd1Mn
— Laugh Entertainment (@Laughent21) July 10, 2021
This wasn't the only song on the list worthy of comment however. Some on Twitter speculated that there might be a hidden meaning behind the inclusion of Jazmine Sullivan's song 'Pick Up Your Feelings.'
Everyone tweeting about Astronaut in the Ocean on that Barack Obama summer playlist but I'm here for Pick Up Your Feelings only. Lmao.
???????????? pic.twitter.com/hDfxIomqVH— ClockOutWars (@clockoutwars) July 10, 2021
Others also commented on the diversity of music on the playlist, nothing that some of the songs didn't seem to go together. Though it's pretty common for Obama's summer playlists to include a wide variety of different musical styles.
astronaut in the ocean and joni mitchell on the same playlist https://t.co/GesUGDrqDp
— howl ???????? (@INNOMEDELPADREx) July 10, 2021
Regardless of whether users agreed with his musical tastes, it's clear the former President still has the ability to get the public talking!