Parodies aren’t the only songs that came out in anticipation of Chanukah this year. While there’s been some very well-done interpretations of pop singles that incorporate a Jewish holiday theme, we’ve also seen a couple of original Chanukah tunes come out in 2015, some of which may even stand the test of time (we’re looking at you Sharon Jones). Thanks to comedians like Jimmy Kimmel, there’s only been a few comedic Chanukah-themed numbers as well.
To celebrate the holiday with an appropriate soundtrack, here’s an updated playlist of eight Chanukah songs to keep you company for the eight crazy nights you’ll spend sitting with friends, eating latkes, playing spin the dreidel, and lighting the menorah.
Ari Blau (of Blau Bright Productions): Shalom
Blau’s cover of Adele’s massive hit, Hello, gives the most recognizable song of the year the Chanukah treatment.
Jake Owen: Jake Owen’s Chanukah Album
While Jake Owen isn’t Jewish even in the slightest, that doesn’t come across at all in his Chanukah holiday album, featuring singles like “Let’s All Do Jewish Stuff,” “Lighting the Pointy Candle Thingy” and “That’s How You Spell Chanukah.”
The Maccabeats: Latke recipe
Popular Jewish a cappella group the Maccabeats take on Walk the Moon’s Shut Up and Dance for their latest Chanukah-themed single.
Jimmy Kimmel and Rashida Jones: Holiday Mashup
While there’s a lot of talk about turkey legs and Christmas in the holiday mashup by Rashida Jones, Jimmy Fallon, and Queen Latifah, there is a notable reference to Chanukah during their parody of The Weekend’s Can’t Feel My Face, where Jones sings, “I can’t celebrate cause I’m a Jew.”
Six13, A.K.A. Pella and The Y Studs: A One Direction Chanukah – Epic Party Mashup
Filmmaker Erez Cohen teams up with Manhattan Jewish Experience and a cappella groups Six13, A.K.A. Pella and The Y Studs for this epic Chanukah mashup.
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings: 8 Days (of Chanukah)
This might be our favourite new original Chanukah song of the last decade. It’s a funky number that features Jones’ powerful vocal chops as she sings about Manischewitz, candles, and Shabbos. The video, released today, is quite colourful, and candidly represents the Chanukah season.
Six13: Watch Me (Spin/Drey-Drey)
While Chanukah parodies are rarely as equally enjoyable as the original versions, Six13’s Watch Me (Spin/Drey-Drey) has a distinct advantage, production-wise, as it incorporates two hit pop anthems and merges them so seamlessly into a song about the Jewish holiday.
Adam Sandler: The Chanukah Song (Part 4)
As if all the Chanukah music released this year wasn’t enough, after twelve years, Adam Sandler decided 2015 was the year to update the lyrics to his coveted Chanukah Song, giving shout outs to a whole new school of Jews, including Sergey Brin, Seth Rogen, Judd Apatow, Drake, Scarlett Johansson, Adam Levine, and more.
