As a Food Editor and Music Nerd, I Have *Thoughts* on Ina Garten’s Spotify Playlists
- - - As a Food Editor and Music Nerd, I Have *Thoughts* on Ina Garten's Spotify Playlists
Taryn PireJuly 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Ina Garten: We know her, we love her, she taught us how to roast a chicken (well, in spirit). With 13 cookbooks and zillions of fans under her belt, there's endless information out there about the Barefoot Contessa. But even more interesting to me than her writing catalogue is her collection of public Spotify playlists, which are organized by theme and include artists like Frank Sinatra, Joni Mitchell and everyone in between.
As a music nerd and food editor who writes about the Queen of Chambray on the reg, I couldn't wait to take a deep dive into her tastes. What does Ina listen to when she's hosting? In the car? (Wait, do you think she drives? I think Jeffrey's always behind the wheel.) Tune in for four not-so-scientific, virtually unprovable conclusions I made about everyone's favorite celebrity chef after analyzing her favorite songs and artists.
Ina Garten's Raspberry Royale Cocktail Screams Summer Dinner Party (and the Recipe Couldn't Be Easier)
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1. She's a Romantic -
Proof: Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On," Otis Redding's "These Arms of Mine," Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's "Shallow"
Two of her playlists are completely dedicated to amore: Ina's Favorite Love Songs (which is by far her most popular playlist with more than 49K followers) and Ina's Valentine's Day Duets. They're positively teeming with songs that are likely nostalgic for her and iconic for everyone. I'm talking "Somethin' Stupid" by Frank and Nancy Sinatra, "These Arms of Mine" by Otis Redding, "At Last" by Etta James, "Bring It On Home To Me" by Sam Cooke and, my personal favorite, "Love and Happiness" by Al Green.
There are also newer hits, like "Body and Soul" by Tony Bennett (who was one of her personal friends), HRH Amy Winehouse and "Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. And she shared picks like "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes and "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" by the Shirelles that conjure images of Ina in a poodle skirt, sipping a milkshake, waiting for her Jeffrey to materialize at her local diner. It's virtually impossible to listen to this much Nat King Cole and *not* be a true lover at heart.
Picture it: Ina and Jeffrey getting cozy to Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" after a dinner party at a candlelit table, adorned with the most elegant runner ever created. I can see it now (although I'm not sure I want to).
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2. She *Really* Loves Summer -
Proof: Mungo Jerry's "In the Summertime," The Beach Boys "Wouldn't It Be Nice," Sly and the Family Stone's "Hot Fun in the Summertime"
True life: I listen to my "liked" songs on shuffle instead of making custom playlists. I know, I know, I said I'm a music nerd—and I stand by that! I tend to listen to artists by album, along with my Discover Weekly playlist that Spotify creates. So, my liked songs offer a healthy mix of genres and artists, so much so that I skip self-curation. That said, the only themed playlist I've ever made was a summer one, so I know a fan when I see one.
Her Barefoot Contessa Beach Party playlist is…kind of epic. Between on-the-nose picks like "Wouldn't It Be Nice" by The Beach Boys and "Under the Boardwalk" by The Drifters, there are some absolute bangers that signal someone who only needs a whisper of warm weather to kick into summer gear.
"In the Summertime" by Mungo Jerry? A hippie anthem that every former flower child (a leap, I know) could never grow tired of. "Hot Fun in the Summertime" by Sly & the Family Stone (RIP, king) was released just before their famed Woodstock performance. It wasn't part of the set, but my girl was 21 at the time, and with her beau in Vietnam, I imagine she took some comfort—and party inspo—from the peace-and-love subculture. (I see you, "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival.)
And don't even get me started on her Road Trip playlist, which has a throwback thumbnail graphic complete with notably groovy text and includes Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, The Mamas & The Papas, Donovan and the Beatles. This is absolutely someone who's her flirtiest, most fun self when the sun comes out in full force, and you can't convince me otherwise.
For teenage me (and even as a young 20-something) though, summer is above all the season of love, and I'm guessing Ina agrees. Can't you see her digging her toes into the Hamptons sand to "Maneater" while young Jeffrey fumbles with a packed-to-the-gills cooler that Ina is legally not allowed to carry in his presence? (And "Sweet Little Sixteen" by Chuck Berry?! Scandalous, Ina!)
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3. She Has a…Unique Idea of Dance Music -
Proof: Adele's "Make You Feel My Love," Van Morrison's "Crazy Love," Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight"
Would I love to teach Ina the Cotton-Eyed Joe? Yes. But her Dance Party playlist, which is her third most popular with nearly 23K followers, is a hodgepodge of sound in a way that gives me pause.
On the one hand, she really loves disco. You'll find Diana Ross, Sister Sledge, Donna Summer, The Pointer Sisters and Chaka Khan (who rightfully shows up on her Women Who Rock playlist) in the ranks. She has a soft spot for '80s music too, as seen by her additions of "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" by Whitney Houston, "Dancing In the Dark" by Bruce Springsteen, "Walking On Sunshine" by Katrina & The Waves, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper (you're especially cute for that one, Mrs. Garten), "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins, "Vacation" by The Go-Gos and "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" by Pat Benatar.
However, there are also many slow, lowkey sad, mopey songs on her Dance Party assortment, like "Make You Feel My Love" by Adele, "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton (my dad serenaded my mom to this one with his guitar at their wedding; they're divorced now, but still—aww!) and "Crazy Love" by Van Morrison. I'm sure she can somehow boogie down to these numbers (she can do anything), but this woman truly can't get shmoopy time off her mind, and I respect it.
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4. She Supports Her Friends -
Proof: Taylor Swift's "Lover," John Legend's "Good," Norah Jones's "Don't Know Why"
Her taste is largely old-school, with most artists having peaked in the '60s and '70s. But there are some modern anomalies, most notably Taylor Swift. You'll find "Lover" and "Mine" on her mushiest playlists, and it's no surprise, since the two are close friends IRL. (Like, Ina was invited to a concert afterparty and—wait for it—played beer pong.) It may also explain, at least in part, why Ed Sheeran's collab with Swift, "Run," is also present in her song collection. Ina also includes John Legend ("Good," featuring Ledisi), who I'm sure she's at least semi-tight with, given her admiration for and friendship with his wife, Chrissy Teigen.
The nail in the coffin is "Don't Know Why" by Norah Jones (another friend of the Contessa's who made an appearance on her latest cooking show, Be My Guest) being inexplicably nestled in her Dance Party playlist. C'mon, if that's not one friend doing another friend a solid, I don't know what is.
Forget Sharing Playlists—The Mix CD Deserves a Major Comeback
Source: AOL Lifestyle
