Israel Vs. US: A Purim Music Video Battle
Apparently the world of Jewish a capella is more competitive than you think.
After achieving overnight success with “Candlelight,” the Maccabeats, Yeshiva University’s all-male a capella group, is back with another surefire YouTube hit, “Purim Song” (no points for creative naming, guys!). This time, the story of Esther, Ahasverosh, Haman and Mordechai is set to Pink’s “Raise Your Glass.”
But a week before the Maccabeats’ new song was released, an Israeli (and co-ed) a capella group, The Fountainheads, debuted their own Purim-themed version of the same Pink song, titled “Raise Your Masks” (points for the more creative name!).
(See both songs below.)
Wonder what Pink thinks about becoming synonymous with Purim.
As of Thursday, the Fountainheads’ version had been viewed on YouTube just over 29,000 times. The Maccabeats’ verion was viewed nearly 220,000 times.
The Fountainheads also had a pop-inspired Hannukkah song, set to the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling.” But their number of YouTube viewers — just over 27,000 — pales in comparison to “Candlelight“‘s nearly 5 million viewers.
The Maccabeats still has the same goofy appeal that made “Candlelight” such a big hit, but the Washington Heights backdrop is no comparison to the rolling Israeli hills visible in the Fountainheads’ video.
What do you think? Are either of them are as catchy as “Candelight”?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
