We can all agree some songs are only meant to be listened to in December. There’s a reason Spotify Wrapped omits December from its data collection process. The average user’s listening history becomes polluted with holiday music.
But Christmas music gets enough free publicity, whether it’s blaring from department store speakers or consuming your local radio station. For this holiday season, let’s put aside being “merry” and “jolly” to make way for miracles.
Chanukah is coming. It doesn’t matter how you spell it — with an H or Ch, one K or two — even Merriam Webster recognizes 24 slightly different spellings.
Conveniently, Chanukah falls smack dab in the middle of reading week season. Tragically, we’re not allowed to light Menorahs in our dorms. With all the fire alarms going off recently, I’m not sure it’s worth the risk.
A college campus poses suboptimal conditions for Chanukah celebrations. Instead of candlelight, we’re stuck with computer screens. Prayer books are dwarfed by Quizlet flashcards. I can already see a grim picture of myself in Bass Cafe, latke-less, and feeling guilty about stress-eating gelt.
But, what we can do is listen to music! There certainly aren’t as many options to choose from. But the ones I’ve compiled are the best of the best. Here’s my comprehensive compilation of the best Chanukah songs to ever exist, one for each night!
Night 1: Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah by the Barenaked Ladies
Favorite Lyric: “The candles are burning low / One for each night, they shed a sweet light / To remind us of days long ago”
Let’s start off with a tried and true classic. I remember singing along to this one during elementary school assemblies, and it always got the crowd off their feet. I know this is traditionally a Yiddish song, but I just have such nostalgia for the jaunty guitar in this English version by the Barenaked Ladies. This is a great introduction to Chanukah music if you’re new to the genre!
Night 2: Happy Hanukkah by Matisyahu
Favorite Lyric: “Eight nights, celebrate till I flying in the sky like a dove”
The little pew-pew-pews at the beginning of this song that sound like Galaga shooting noises could wake me up from a coma. I am a Matisyahu stan ‘till I die. This song embodies the joyful Chanukah spirit — it’s all about bringing love and giving gifts! It feels like biting into a jelly donut and it sounds like a shooting star. Don’t believe me? Go listen to it for yourself.
Night 3: Candlelight by the Maccabeats
Favorite Lyric: “I’ll tell a tale-ale-ale-ale / Of Maccabees in Israel-ale-ale-ale”
If the Maccabeats have 100 fans, I’m one of them. If they have 10,000 fans, I’m one of them. If they have 0, I’m dead. This parody of Dynamite by Taio Cruz, somehow, is not dated at all. Because of the 2010 nostalgia, I hesitate to call this one my favorite — I was very impressionable at five years old. All that said, you should join me and 17 million other people in watching the viral YouTube video to get the full experience. You won’t regret it.
Night 4: I Have a Little Dreidel by the Maccabeats
Favorite Lyric: “I have a little dreidel / I made it out of clay / And when it’s dry and ready / Oh, dreidel I shall play”
I know I just hyped up the Maccabeats. But who would a Yale article about music be without multiple mentions of a capella? This group transforms a traditional rhyming song into a dynamic, multiple genre journey in their version of the iconic masterpiece. You can’t help but be charmed by their four part harmonies and rhythmic beatboxing. This song keeps the energy high, a perfect way to celebrate being halfway through Chanukah.
Night 5: Sevivon Sov, Sov, Sov by Kenny Ellis
Favorite Lyric: “Sevivon, spin and turn / While the colorful candles burn”
Sevivon, for context, translates to dreidel. I do enjoy this jazzy take on a classic, it really gets your toe tapping if you know what I mean. I love the clarinet solo, and the call and response toward the end as well. If you like this one, check out the album this song is on, which is called Hanukkah Swings! I will definitely have this on during study breaks.
Night 6: Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages) by Sufjan Stevens
Favorite Lyric: And Thy word broke their sword, / When our own strength failed us. (translated)
This song is a must-include because it tells the story of Chanukah. I’ll be honest and say it’s not my absolute favorite. The typical chorale interpretations of this song are too slow-moving. If we really are “raging against our foes” I think the music should reflect that! For that reason, I chose a piano instrumental version that focuses more on the beautiful melody.
Night 7: The Latke Song by Debbie Friedman
Favorite Lyric: “I’ve made friends with the onions & the flour, / & the cook is scouting oil in the town.”
How could I forget the “I am a latke” song? The answer is, I would never! This song follows the latke from the blender all the way to the sizzling pan oil. The lyrics are so fun! If you have younger siblings or cousins who need a new quotable fixation that isn’t from Cocomelon or Tiktok, then use this song to entertain them.
Night 8: The Chanukah Song by Adam Sandler
Favorite Lyric: “Put on your yarmulke / Here comes Chanukah / So much funukkah / To celebrate Chanukah”
On Dec. 3, 1994, on an episode of Saturday Night Live, Adam Sandler made history when he played this song on Weekend update. It’s a certified banger! Basically, he lists a ton of Jewish celebrities to normalize the holiday, hoping it resonates with Jewish kids. It peaked at 80 on the Billboard Hot 100, so I think it did. Definitely the most comedic pick on this list, and the last night should be all about laughter!
If you need to take a study break, check out this playlist with all the songs mentioned in this article. I’ll definitely be bopping along to it.
Maybe it’s a blessing that Chanukah is happening at this time. With all the final papers and projects, we all could use a small miracle or two.