Remembering Muhammad Ali: A Spotify Playlist For The Greatest

World heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali passed away yesterday. The 74-year-old legend born Cassius Clay was a titan within the world of boxing and his impressive stature and confident demeanor transcended the world of sport as he became one of the most recognizable figures in the world. Ali’s influence on popular culture is evident in the numerous songs and lyrics that reference the iconic fighter. In remembrance of the self-proclaimed and rarely denied “Greatest,” below is a Spotify Playlist curated in his honor.

While not included in the playlist, founding member of The Beatles Paul McCartney shared a note regarding Ali, whom he met in February 1964. Here’s Paul’s message:

Dear Muhammad Ali. I loved that man. He was great from the first day we met him in Miami, and on the numerous occasions when I ran into him over the years. Besides being the greatest boxer, he was a beautiful, gentle man with a great sense of humour who would often pull a pack of cards out of his pocket, no matter how posh the occasion, and do a card trick for you. The world has lost a truly great man. Love Paul

[Update]Bob Dylan also posted a message in remembrance of Ali. Here’s Dylan on Ali:

If the measure of greatness is to gladden the heart of every human being on the face of the earth, then he truly was the greatest. In every way he was the bravest, the kindest and the most excellent of men.

Making up the 15-songs on the playlist are tracks that are either titled after Ali, make lyrical reference to him by name or otherwise vocally mention the boxing great. Two of the selections come from Ali’s 1963 LP I Am The Greatest (credited to Cassius Clay) including his performance of “Stand By Me” to close out the set. Along with those tracks, deep cuts by Bob Dylan and Miles Davis are included, as are recordings by James Brown, Billy Joel, Ween, Ben Folds Five, Big Head Todd And The Monsters, Cat Power and others. Stream the nearly hour-long set in honor of the champ here: