The Hanukkah band from two decades ago is back with this single providing us with a rocking song based on an old proverb. It's neat and doesn't stick out as a Hanukkah song, if that means anything to you. Streaming and downloads. Should note that the band included this and another song, "Jewish Stars," on a revamped and newly vinylized version of their original Hanukkah Rocks album, but you'll have to go to Bandcamp to get it if you still can. Oh, should note that I completely whiffed back in 2015 when I missed these guys joining up with Matisyahu for the kosher reggae "Outside of December."
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The Maccabeats have brought the Hanukkah beats to the holiday before, and for 2025 they've gone completely bonkers with this nutty tribute to this year's streaming trend, "Kpop Demon Hunters." Lots of modern beats in this, with just the slightest suggestion of more traditional idioms. Streaming everywhere.
Looks like HAIM thought it was time to update Adam Sandler's epic novelty, see what you think.
Sandler we love you pic.twitter.com/QGBAwqOZld
-- HAIM (@HAIMtheband) December 3, 2021
Somehow missed this one in 2020, and in actuality I've missed out on these guys for many more years than that, as they've been around for quite some time entertaining audiences with their a capella takes on the various aspects of the Jewish religious experience as filtered through the wider popular culture. "A Star Wars Chanukah" takes off from the main theme of the beloved sci-fi franchise, "A Hamilton Chanukah" draws from the popular hip-hop musical, "Chanukah (Shake It Off)" parodies Taylor Swift, "Watch Me (Spin / Drey Drey)" is a parody of a song by Lina, and "The Thanksgivukkah Anthem" is a song about the convergence of Hanukkah with Thanksgiving. Also in this collection is the almost inevitable "Bohemian Chanukah" parody of Queen, a bit of self-promotion in "A Nice Jewish Boy Band Chanukah," and "Feliz Chanukah," taking off from the Jose Feliciano classic. Remaining tunes appear to be modern upbeat takes on Jewish folk tunes, but for those of you who go for this sort of a capella entertainment, grab on and don't let go. They have a bunch of albums with Hanukkah tunes spread throughout them, but I'm going to call attention to 2019's Volume 8: Lights, which has the very timely "West Side Chanukah," see below.
Diggs is probably best known for playing Lafayette in the musical "Hamilton," but he's also been a singer, rapper, producer and songwriter. For 2020 he throws out this Hanukkah jam which will certainly liven up your holiday mixes with its mashup of traditional Yiddish melodies and hip-hop beat. Apparently Diggs' mom is Jewish and the story is inspired by his childhood. Cool tune.
