Hannukah Music That Doesn't Suck?

November 29, 2006 6:25 AM

Aside from "Dreidel, Dreidel," which is a kid's song, Adam Sandler, and "Rock of Ages," are there actually any other songs (bonus points for easy to learn and sing) for Hannukah that aren't horribly cheesy?
posted by canine epigram to Religion & Philosophy (18 answers total)

Well, horribly cheesy will eliminate many songs, but Oh Hannukah comes to mind.
posted by allen.spaulding at 6:33 AM on November 29, 2006

yeah, that is the only song I was able to come up with, too.

Oh Chanukah, oh Chanukah
Come light the Menorah.
Let's have a party
We'll all dance the Horah.
Gather round the table
We'll give you a treat.
S'vivonim to play with
L'vivot to eat.

And while we are playing
The candles are burning low,
One for each night, they shed a sweet light
To remind us of days long ago.
posted by necessitas at 6:35 AM on November 29, 2006

Sivivon sov sov sov.
posted by grouse at 6:36 AM on November 29, 2006

Kenny G has a Hanukkah song.

Oh, wait ...

Seriously, here's a pretty good list of some stuff that might hit the mark for you.
posted by jbickers at 6:39 AM on November 29, 2006

the I Made It Out of Clay compilation is all pop Hanukkah songs.
although "What we do on christmas" by Atom and his package is also great for the Hanukah celebrators.
posted by annoyance at 6:51 AM on November 29, 2006

Hanukkah Rocks by the Leevees is awesome.
posted by cerebus19 at 6:57 AM on November 29, 2006

My a-capella group sings "Hanerot Hallalu". Learning the Hebrew isn't necessarily easy, but the English isn't too bad.
posted by nekton at 7:07 AM on November 29, 2006

the Leevees's Hanukkah tunes are hilarious, and pretty darn catchy to boot.
posted by chefscotticus at 7:09 AM on November 29, 2006

Although you might have an aversion to going to the site, check out the two songs sung here (you can skip the speech - it's only like 1-2 minutes). I'm serious, they're really good.
posted by jourman2 at 7:11 AM on November 29, 2006

Voice of the Turtle has some gorgeous Ladino songs -- Ocho Candelas is pretty and simple.

In elementary school we always sang Mi Yemalel.

And how about I'm Spending Hannukah in Santa Monica?
posted by nonane at 7:39 AM on November 29, 2006

I second Mi Y'mallel
posted by rglass at 8:29 AM on November 29, 2006

In elementary school we sang a song called "Light in the Darkness." Sheet music orderable here, but I can't find anything more. Good song, very catchy.
posted by Jeanne at 8:45 AM on November 29, 2006

Oh man, I forgot Mi Yimallel. I third that.
posted by allen.spaulding at 10:44 AM on November 29, 2006

Handel's aria Father of Heav'n from his oratorio Judas Maccabeus is a lovely Hannukah song. The words are:

Father of Heav'n! From Thy eternal throne,
Look with an eye of blessing down,
While we prepare with holy rites,
To solemnize the feast of lights.

And thus our grateful hearts employ;
And in Thy praise
This altar raise,
With carols of triumphant joy.

Not easy to learn or sing, but beautiful to listen to.
posted by Pallas Athena at 12:36 PM on November 29, 2006

A man named Rich Glauber put out an album called Soul Parade a few years ago that basically is a celebration of Jewish culture aimed at kids.

Highly recommended, although I do not know enough about Jewish holidays to know from Hannukah.
posted by Danf at 12:53 PM on November 29, 2006

The Leeves have an album called Hanukkah Rocks. Adam Gardner of Guster is a founding member. Everything I've heard off of it I've enjoyed including the song How Do You Spell Chunnukkahh?
posted by dgeiser13 at 2:11 PM on November 29, 2006

"Light One Candle" by Peter, Paul, and Mary (backed by a choir). It's gorgeous!

And I second Tom Lehrer's "I'm Spending Hannukah in Santa Monica".
posted by Asparagirl at 8:09 PM on November 29, 2006

The Barenaked Ladies have a couple of Hannukah songs on their holiday CD. One of them sounds like it's original, non-goofy, and is one of my favorite songs on the CD -- here it is, "Hannukah Blessings".
posted by mattholomew at 6:48 PM on November 30, 2006