Music has a long tradition of being associated with winter holidays, something we’re mindful of in the music department of Oxford University Press. As Hanukkah is already in full swing, we asked members of our editorial, marketing, and publicity departments for their favorite Hanukkah songs. Their selections represent a mix of traditional music (such as an eighteenth century choral arrangement of “Maoz Tsur”), modern interpretations (“Hanukkah, O Hanukkah” by the Barenaked Ladies), and originals (“I’m Spending Hanukkah in Santa Monica” by Tom Lehrer). We hope our choices, featured below, encourage you to have a wonderful, musical Hanukkah celebration!
“Ocho Kandalikas” by Maxwell Street Klezmer Band
“One of my favorites is a Ladino song called ‘Ocho kandelikas.’ Here is an entertaining performance by the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band.”
—Suzanne Ryan, Editor-in-Chief, Academic/Trade Humanities
“Chanukah (Shake It Off)” by Six 13
“My sister (a kindergarten teacher) is thinking of using this video to teach her kids about Hanukkah.”
—Helena Palmer, Marketing Assistant, Academic Central Marketing
“How Much Is That Pickle in the Window” by Mickey Katz
“My favorite: ‘How Much Is that Pickle in the Window’ by Mickey Katz. Not totally seasonable but still a classic. Particularly the Klezmerish ending, featuring Katz blowing a mean clarinet.”
—Richard Carlin, Editor, Higher Education
“Eternal Light” by Kenny G
“Have you heard ‘Six 13 Chanukah (Shake It Off)’? It’s on Spotify and pretty cute. Other thoughts: ‘Eternal Light’ by Kenny G and the Glee version of ‘Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah.'”
—Estelle Hallick, Associate Publicist
“Swingin’ Dreidel” by Kenny Ellis
“Maoz Tsur” by Benedetto Marcello
“Hanukkah, O Hanukkah” by Barenaked Ladies
“Hanukkah in Santa Monica” by Tom Lehrer
“The Hanukkah Song” by Adam Sandler
“Latke Recipe” by the Maccabeats
“My knowledge of Hannukah music stems primarily from directing a small a cappella choir years ago. We used to sing a lot of holiday parties and were generally called on to have some Hannukah songs at the ready. Mostly we did some assembly of the big three: ‘The Dreidel Song’ (Here’s a Sinatra inspired arrangement ‘Swingin Dreidel’ by Kenny Ellis), ‘Maoz Tzur,’ and ‘Hannukah, O Hanukkah.’ But some non-traditional favorites: ‘I’m Spending Hanukkah in Santa Monica,’ ‘The Hanukkah Song,’ and ‘Latke Recipe.'”
—Anna-Lise Santella, Senior Editor, Online Products
Image Credit: “Hanukkah Lights” by Tim Sackton. CC BY 2.0 via Flickr.
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