Happy Music Monday! In just two weeks we'll be doing a mix full of Christmas songs, but guess what? There's a holiday that comes before that! Right now we're comfortable ensconced in Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, and so we figured that would be a great way to take up space a nice way to pay tribute to our Jewish pals. It took a little work but we actually did find four songs that WEREN'T by Adam Sandler! And, of course, this one:
Adam Sandler - The Hanukkah Song
If all his other comedy is forgotten (and some of those movies might just be) Adam Sandler will still be known as the guy who made Hanukkah easy for us gentiles to understand. And also invented the word "marijuanakkah" to boot.
Now that that's out of the way, what are the other four? More on Hanukkah, after the jump.
Be sure to check out our Spotify playlist. This week, as always, features a great selection from last week's Music Monday comments. The theme of the mix this time is Dreams, the things that sometimes keep you going. But before you think about tomorrow, start thinking about today, and check out our current Music Monday below!
Peter, Paul & Mary - Light One Candle
Built into the Jewish religion is a deep love of knowledge and history. Even the non-religious Jews can still rattle off all sorts of facts and knowledge that have been handed down from parent to parent. This song might not be as fluffy as "Here Comes Santa Claus" but it's still uplifting, even as it makes a point. Plus, as far as I know, there's nothing in the Torah about Puff The Magic Dragon.
Barenaked Ladies- Hanukkah, O Hanukkah
I've attended a few Jewish ceremonies with a dear friend once or twice over the years, and I've always noticed just how CATCHY the music is. This Barenaked Ladies cover is stripped down, but you still feel the need to get up and move, don't you? Take this tune and throw in a solo and you might have a modern rock classic! But keeping it like this, you've just got a beloved holiday song.
They Might Be Giants - Feast Of Lights
When has a They Might Be Giants song ever been bad? A nice, stripped down song that approaches Hanukkah from an angle, kinda like how Ben Folds' Brick sneaks up on Christmas. Except this TMBG song seems to end on a slightly more optimistic note.
Sarah Silverman - Give The Jew Girl Toys slightly NSFW
Yes, part of the season is finding the humor in having Santa stuffed down your throat everywhere you go. Both Jews and non-Jews alike can agree on that. But Sarah Silverman approaches it from an outsider's perspective, and with a child's selfishness: why can't I get a Christmas present too? Considering Santa's never mentioned in the Bible, it's a pretty valid question. Maybe this year our two faiths can strike a deal: you give me some chocolate coins, and I'll give you a Star Wars figure I wrapped at the last minute. Sound fair?
Surely, surely there are a few Hanukkah or Hanukkah-like songs Scott missed, right? If you know some, drop 'em in the comments below. Then everyone in the whole world ever is welcome to join us in our Turntable.fm room for the regular Music Monday enjoyment. Also, let us just remind you: some images come from the corresponding Wikipedia page and are here under fair use. Happy Hanukkah to all our Jewish readers!