Sometimes it seems as though the only Hanukkah song that exists is that one by Adam Sandler. So here are eight other Hanukkah songs to listen to this December:

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1) “Eight Candles” by Yo La Tengo
From 2001 until 2012, Yo La Tengo performed a life show every night of Hanukkah at Maxwell’s, a now-closed bar in Hoboken, New Jersey. Producer Randall Poster (known for his music supervision on Wes Anderson films, as well as blockbusters like Skyfall) was inspired by the shows to put together an album of alternative Hanukkah songs, which he did in 2019.
Get Hanukkah+ here

2) “Hanukkah Blessings” by Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies songs are often played around the holiday season, though it’s typically their track with Sarah McLachlan. But their album, Barenaked for the Holidays doesn’t focus solely on Christmas music. Though it’s a comparatively small ratio, three of the tracks are devoted to Hanukkah, with other tracks focused on winter and New Year. “Hanukkah Blessings” is sung sincerely by former frontman Steven Page, who was raised Jewish, while Page and Ed Robertson share lead vocals on “Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah” and “I Have a Little Dreidel.”
Get the full album here

3) “Feast of Lights” by They Might Be Giants
The Johns wrote “Feast of Lights” for inclusion on Festival of Light, Vol.2, a 1999 compilation of genre-spanning Hanukkah songs released as a follow-up to the 1996 original volume. They have since included it as a digital download for fans and on their They Might Be Giants in…Holidayland compilation.
Get Festival of Light, Vol. 2 here

4) “Goyim Friends” by The LeeVees
The LeeVees consist of Guster’s Adam Gardner and David Schneider of The Zambonis (a band that only put out songs about ice hockey), along with other musicians who all take on the last name of LeeVee in a Ramones-esque manner. Gardner and Schneider conceived The LeeVees as a band that only plays Hanukkah music. They released one highly-regarded album (Hanukkah Rocks) in 2005, and one follow-up single in 2015. “Goyim Friends” compares Hanukkah traditions to the traditions of those who do not celebrate.
Get Hanukkah Rocks Here

5) “If It Be Your Will” by HAIM
The HAIM sisters have produced multiple Hanukkah offerings, including an update of Adam Sandler’s “The Chanukah Song” and a Hanukkah/Covid-themed update to The Waitesses’ classic with “Christmas Wrapping 2020.” However, “If It Be Your Will” is a more serious celebration of the holiday and serves as their contribution to Hanukkah+.
Get Hanukkah+ here

6) “Hanukkah Nights” by 3 Speed Sleigh [The 3 Speeds] Local artists The 3 Speeds become 3 Speed Sleigh in December. For the Columbus, Ohio compilation record HOLIDAY BLOOD: A Figgy Fest Gift For You!, they contributed multiple songs including this parody of “Saturday Night” by The Bay City Rollers. The compilation also includes a punk Hanukkah sendup in “Hannakaah” by Mitzvahs.
Get Holiday Blood at a local record store! Sales of the album support the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

7) “Oh Hanukkah” by Jack Black
Jack Black sings “Oh Hanukkah” with only a shred of his Tenacious D energy mixed with a genuine spirit. “Oh Hanukkah” kicks off the aforementioned Hanukka+.
Get Hanukkah+ here

8) “Miracle” by Matisyahu
Matisyahu celebrated Hanukkah in 2010 with “Miracle.” He followed it up with “Happy Hanukkah” in 2012.
Get “Miracle” here

Bonus tracks:

“The Chanukah Song” by Neil Diamond
Despite his Jewish upbringing, Neil Diamond made the 25th best-selling Christmas album of all time. It wasn’t until his third Christmas album, A Cherry Cherry Christmas in 2009 that he recorded a song for Hanukkah, namely a cover of Adam Sandler’s “The Chanukkah Song,” slightly updated by Diamond.

“Chanukah Honey” by Rachel Bloom
Rachel Bloom released an entire Chanukah comedy album with Jack Dolgen and Dan Gregor in 2013, but no tracks got the attention of “Chanukah Honey,” a pastiche of “Santa Baby,” the video for which debuted on Funny or Die.

-Just Emma (JustEmma@CD929FM.com)

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