Chanukah 5771 has brought a bumper crop of music videos destined to become holiday classics. These viral videos became breakout hits by using comedy and quirkiness combined with genuine talent to communicate universal messages. Here is a roundup of 5771 hits along with JInsider’s “Chanukah Classic of All Time.” (All videos can be viewed at www.jinsider.com)
“Candlelight” by Maccabeats
Premise: A hip-hop twist on the Chanukah story and traditions.
Hype: Yeshiva bochurs can be smart, cool media darlings. Major buzz for this previous group of unknowns. Will studying Talmud be the same after experiencing the celebrity glare?
Best Line: “I flip my latkes in the air sometimes sayin’ ayy ohh spin the dreidel.”
Performance: Talented singing by attractive singers in a video parody of an a cappella remake of Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite.” It’s funny and it works — a novel and infectious video.
Views: 1,970,000
Views Per Day: 219,000
“Miracle” by Matisyahu
Premise: Chanukah is about breaking free and celebrating the miracles all around us.
Hype: Matisyahu is our musical messiah. The video offers the holiday’s depth and spirituality in a fun and celebratory manner.
Best Line: “Do you believe in miracles … Eight nights, eight lights and these fights keep me right/Bless me to the highest heights with your miracles”
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Performance: A rhythmic verse sung in terrific reggae style and countered by a distinct chorus. Critical pop elements grab you and effectively pull you into the song.
Views: 321,000
Views Per Day: 64,000
“I Light It” by NCSY and Six13
Premise: An a cappella medley of today’s popular hip hop, with lyrics changed to holiday themes like dreidels, latkes and Chanukah lights.
Hype: The Orthodox Union’s NCSY advisers, volunteering to do outreach with high school students, dance in the streets of New York with random strangers. (Yes, kids, you can be Jewish and still sing and break-dance like Kanye West.)
Best Line: “All my Chanukah latkes / How could you eat those latkes?”
Performance: Sung by Six13, this energetic pulsing video has New Yorkers wearing Chanukah T-shirts and break-dancing to remakes of Justin Bieber, Kanye West and Enrique Iglesias.
Views: 123,000
View Per Day: 18,000
Chanukah Song by Adam Sandler (1996 All-Time Classic)
Premise: A Jewish anthem to be sung proudly during Yuletime or anytime.
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Hype: The funny, playful and lovable Adam Sandler appeals to all audiences. You don’t have to be Jewish to love this video. Song led to theatrical movie.
Best Line: “Chanukah is the festival of lights/Instead of one day of presents, we get eight crazy nights.”
Performance: Adam Sandler’s song makes it through his comedy and personality. No special effects employed. He is terrific as an onstage rock star. Great audience participation and summer camp favorite.
