Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Songs with Jewish Themes/References
PhebusApollo
Stand-by Joined: 11/30/05
#0Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/12/06 at 7:35pm
So here's the deal:
I recently got around to purchasing the Altar Boyz cast recording, and upon my first listen I immediately fell in love with it. I thought it was catchy, upbeat, and hilarious. I passed it along to a good friend of mine, hoping she'd enjoy it as much as I did. She really doesn't understand my love of musical theatre, but we grew up together, attending a Catholic School from the time we were 5 all the way until we graduated high school, so I thought maybe she'd appreciate the humor and give this recording a chance. You don't have to be a fan of musicals to appreciate the tongue-in-cheek humor of the songs.
Long story short -- she hated it. Not sure why, but she just couldn't get into it. Which is understandable; it's not for everyone. Anyway, she's been studying Judaism recently, and is really fascinated with the rich culture and history of the religion. I was joking around the other day that apparently she didn't appreciate my giving her music that related to Christianity, maybe if I gave her a CD with songs relating to Jewish people she'd give it a chance...Then I thought, hmm...I should do that.
Can anyone suggest any songs that have references to anything related to Judaism?
Off of the top of my head I can only think of Tango: Maureen from RENT, Shiksa Goddess from TL5Y, You Won't Succeed on Broadwy from Spamalot and...um...yeah...drawing a blank.
Any other suggestions would be great.
#1re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/12/06 at 7:36pmeverything in Fiddler?
chances are AndyF is posting above or below me...
"THIS is how you dress for the Tony's, get it!? Ok, see you at the after-party..." [YAHM]
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#3re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/12/06 at 7:41pmFalsettos
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
PhebusApollo
Stand-by Joined: 11/30/05
#4re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/12/06 at 7:43pmHaha, can't believe I didn't mention Fiddler...
tagiunagi
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/27/05
#5re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/12/06 at 7:50pmJew shows like Rags & Ragtime.
gumbo2
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/21/05
#6re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/12/06 at 8:00pmtagiunagi beat me to it with Rags. Parade is about Leo Frank who's Jewish.
#7re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/12/06 at 8:02pmGREAT BIG STUFF: "Every Day's my Birthday, every night is MY BAR MITZVAH!"
"I'm not in Bambi and I'm not blonde!" - Idina Menzel
#8re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/12/06 at 8:08pmTry the William Finn musicals--Elegies and the Marvin Trilogy.
#9re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/12/06 at 8:20pmhah yea the first thing I thought of when reading the thread title was Fiddler
SweetQintheLights
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/12/05
#10re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/12/06 at 8:22pm
If you're only looking for a small part of a song to have a 'Jewish phrase' in it, than you can use "Avenue Q"
"The Jews have all the money...."
#11re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/12/06 at 8:30pm
'Be a Catholic' from 'Forbidden Broadway'.
(Sung to the tune of "Be Italian" from NINE)
Once with Fiddler and Bette Midler
You had to be a singing, comic Jew.....
#12re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/12/06 at 8:39pm
Some of the old vaudeville acts, and performers like Sophie Tucker, have songs that include a lot of Yiddish, and other references to Jewish culture of the time frame.
There is always the Jazz Singer.
#13re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/12/06 at 8:41pmAnd of course The Producers has Jewish references up the wazoo!
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
#14re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/12/06 at 8:42pmLast 5 Years...Shiksa Goddess and others...
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?
#15re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/12/06 at 10:00pman obvious and tragic relation to Judaism would be "Yours, Anne: The Anne Frank Musical." It seems like it'd be weird to put pieces of the diary to music and perform it, but some of it is actually quite gorgeous.
#16re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/12/06 at 10:12pm"The Chanukkah Party" from Caroline or Change
#17re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/12/06 at 10:44pm"You can't succeed on Broadway...' from Spamalot. That one is well...very Jewish oriented.
#18re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/12/06 at 11:47pmIf you're looking for itty bitty refrences, also in RENT, La Vie Boheme, the waiter at the restaurant says "oy, vey", and in Voicemail #3 "...even your father says Mazletov..."
#19re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/13/06 at 6:34am
"Jew shows like Rags & Ragtime. "
sorry, just wondering what exactly qualifies something as a "Jew show"?? maybe rephrase that a little better next time, I don't know to me it seems like everyone else is putting it much nicer and even delicately... sorry not trying to start anything that just kind of stuck out when I read the thread.
also I just had a quick question: why if you guys went to Catholic school together would she more appreciate songs with references to Judaism? just becuase she's studying it at the moment, or was she a Jewish Catholic School student? sorry just didn't really understand and thought it might be easier to find something your friend likes if the situation was clearer, then again I might just be really tired and not getting it lol
Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#20re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/13/06 at 7:40am
more Jewish themed musicals:
THE ROTHSCHILDS
MILK AND HONEY
I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE
#21re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/13/06 at 7:48am"Meeskite," a very good song from the original production of Cabaret. I don't understand why it wasn't in either Broadway revival.
jasobres
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/9/05
#22re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/13/06 at 8:08amAlmost every song that Fanny Brice performed had a bit of Judaism in it. (Just listen to "Yidl on Your Fidl (Play Some Ragtime)," a song by Irving Berlin that she performed in an affected Yiddish accent).
#23re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/13/06 at 8:09amMushnik & Son from Little Shop of Horrors
I remember days
Or at least I try
But as years go by
They're sort of haze
And the bluest ink
Isn't really sky
And at times I think
I would gladly die
For a day of sky
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And Starbucks will use the words 'large' and 'small', not pretentious crap like grande and tall.
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"You could get away with anything if you call it art and tell people who don't like it that it's cutting edge culture." --vmlinnie
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#24re: Songs with Jewish Themes/References
Posted: 1/13/06 at 8:42am
ISnt their an off broadway musical on right now called Jewtopia?
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