If you’re looking for an upbeat playlist this summer then you may be surprised to learn that Bill Gates has got you covered.
The Microsoft cofounder has released his annual book recommendations on his blog but noted this year he wanted to “mix it up” with not only TV recommendations but also a Spotify playlist.
In previous years Gates has recommended the likes of The Power, Why We’re Polarized, and Hamnet to read over the warmer months.
For 2023, the billionaire philanthropist has suggested one fiction and one nonfiction title.
Gates—worth $128 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index—has chosen Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin as his fiction read. The story follows two friends who bond over Super Mario Bros. and then begin making games together while they attend college.
The story, Gates said, reminded him of his friendship with Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen who died in 2018 after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease.
Gates’ nonfiction pick is Born in Blackness by Howard French, which explores Africa’s role in the creation of modernity, something largely obliterated from the history books.
A self-described “student of Africa,” Gates said he “learned a lot” from the book, adding: “I mean it as a compliment when I say that Born in Blackness left me wanting to know more.”
It also turns out Gates is just like the rest of us—that is, partial to bingeing series on Netflix.
The cofounder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said he has made his way through all four seasons of Danish political drama Borgen, which tells the story of Birgitte Nyborg, the country’s fictional first female prime minister.
“I’m fascinated by how political coalitions come together and stay together, and I loved watching the PM, Birgitte Nyborg, figure it all out,” Gates wrote.
“She’s a principled and talented leader who’s also fallible and sometimes misguided. Borgen is entertaining above all else, but I’ve learned a ton from watching it too.”
Bill and Bono
Sharing his summer playlist Gates disclosed more personal anecdotes—from childhood memories with Allen to more recent conversations with his children.
The 67-year-old said he “can’t imagine [his] life without music,” adding some of his fondest memories are of listening to Jimi Hendrix records in Allen’s basement.
He told readers that since then he has picked up inspiration from his children—named Phoebe, Jennifer, and Rory—and also friends like U2 lead singer Bono.
The result is a playlist that Gates hopes is “not bad for a granddad” (he became a grandfather for the first time in March), adding that as he has grown older he has “discovered the joys of listening to a great song while going for a drive.”
“Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, sitting on the beach, or just driving around with the windows down, feel free to make it part of the soundtrack to your summer, too,” Gates says.
Gates’ summer soundtrack
The two-hour playlist is made up of 34 songs, featuring artists from Nat King Cole to Enrique Iglesias.
The full list is:
- “Holiday”–Vampire Weekend
- “Feels This Good”–Jon Mero, LÒNIS
- “Feeling Good”–Nina Simone
- “On the Sunny Side of the Street”–Billie Holiday
- “Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day”–Stevie Wonder
- “The Wind Cries Mary”–Jimi Hendrix
- “Lean on Me”–Bill Withers
- “It’s a New Day”–Skull Snaps
- “This Love”–Maroon 5
- “Lady”–Tune-Yards, Angelique Kidjo, ?uestlove, Akua Naru
- “Bailando (English Version)”–Enrique Iglesias, Sean Paul, Descemer Bueno, Gente De Zona
- “Don’t Fade”–Vance Joy
- “One”–U2
- “Eraser”–Ed Sheeran
- “Total Eclipse of the Heart”–Bonnie Tyler
- “No One”–Alicia Keys
- “Hercules”–Sara Bareilles
- “One Fine Day (Remastered)”–Natalie Merchant
- “Don’t Rain On My Parade”–Barbra Streisand
- “Set Fire to the Rain”–Adele
- “Hey Jude (Remastered 2015)”–The Beatles
- “Daydream Believer”–The Monkees
- “Oogum Boogum Song”–Brenton Wood
- “A Whiter Shade of Pale (Original Single Version)”–Procol Harum
- “The Windmills of Your Mind”–Dusty Springfield
- “It’s Only a Paper Moon”–Ella Fitzgerald
- “Get Out of My Life Woman”–Joe Williams
- “Orange Colored Sky”–Nat King Cole
- “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain”–Willie Nelson
- “Unchained Melody”–The Righteous Brothers
- “Redemption Song”–Bob Marley & The Wailers
- “Weather Bird”–Louis Armstrong, Earl Hines
- “St. Louis Rag”–Max Morath
- “The Impossible Dream (The Quest) (Man of La Mancha/1965 Original Broadway Cast/Remastered 2000)”–Joseph Darion, Mitch Leigh, Richard Kiley
