- Hava Nagila(!!!) has decent odds at becoming the #1 song on the UK charts just in time for... Christmas. An artist named Lauren Rose has made a pop version called Hava Negila (Baby Let's Dance) that's basically the same thing but with a few English words thrown in and a more modern beat. (The article has a video of her song played over performances with her dancing with lots of little kids.) An Israeli folk song #1 on Christmas - now that's funny.
- I thought this comparison of Guiliani and McCain (though I still don't take McCain seriously) makes it pretty clear why Guiliani is a very good candidate and McCain rather troubling. Excerpt (this is the Corner taking from the Council on Foreign Affairs, a great site with essays from candidates on both sides regarding foreign affairs):
One illustrative contrast with Giuliani can be found on the Israeli/Palestinian issue. Here is McCain:
The long-elusive quest for peace between Israel and the Palestinians must remain a priority. But the goal must be a genuine peace, and so Hamas must be isolated even as the United States intensifies its commitment to finding an enduring settlement.
Here's Giuliani:
McCain is business as usual — even though there is no good reason why the quest for peace between Israel and the Palestinians should be a priority, much less that we should intensify our commitment to a settlement in the absence of Palestinian fitness for statehood. Giuliani says we can talk about it after the Palestinians grow up. That's rather a large difference, and it's far from the only one.History demonstrates that democracy usually follows good governance, not the reverse. U.S. assistance can do much to set nations on the road to democracy, but we must be realistic about how much we can accomplish alone and how long it will take to achieve lasting progress. The election of Hamas in the Palestinian-controlled territories is a case in point. The problem there is not the lack of statehood but corrupt and unaccountable governance. The Palestinian people need decent governance first, as a prerequisite for statehood. Too much emphasis has been placed on brokering negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians — negotiations that bring up the same issues again and again. It is not in the interest of the United States, at a time when it is being threatened by Islamist terrorists, to assist the creation of another state that will support terrorism. Palestinian statehood will have to be earned through sustained good governance, a clear commitment to fighting terrorism, and a willingness to live in peace with Israel.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Hava Negila #1 on Charts?!
A couple of cool things I discovered through an e-mail list I'm on:
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My favorite part of the Ha'aretz article (see Jewlicious for link) is that the #1 bookmaker in London has offered her 16-1 odds (she is the 16) on her song being the #1 single.
ReplyDelete1) That is so incredibly strange. Heck, even Jews think "Hava Nagila" is shmaltzy, why in the world would that many non-Jews listen to it?
ReplyDelete2) We'll see what happens if Giuliani actually gets elected. George W. Bush sounded like he was going to talk tough with the Palestinians for awhile too...and look where we are now. While I agree that it's a better way to start off, there are no guarantees after a few years.
my first thought was Hava Nagila?! that's nuts. But after a moment I thought that if the Miserlou could be made cool by the guys who played it in the Pulp Fiction soundtrack, then anything is possible
ReplyDeleteMy parents have an old record (Ezzie, that is what they used to use before CDs came along) of Harry Belefonte at Carnegie Hall. One of the songs he sang was Hava Nagila. (Though he did it straight and did not try to do it "Carribean Style".)
ReplyDeletei just watched the have nagila (baby let's dance) video on youtube.
ReplyDeletedisturbing.
though she does have very cute dimples.
I think Guiliani would stick to his guns and not waver too much from his stance if elected. He's always been that way that's why some NY politician's hated him because he wasn't willing to back down and compromise so quickly.
ReplyDeleteAnnie - Yeah, I loved that. :)
ReplyDeleteScraps - 1) See the vid. :P
2) He actually did for a while. At least he didn't pressure them into a horrible concession (yet). Of course, Olmert is doing a fine job on his own...
B.Spinoza - Nothing is sacred. :P
Avrom - Heh. Yeah, the article noted a number of famous artists who've done it. I just think it's hilarious that it could be #1 on Christmas!
PN - Wow, responding that would only get me into trouble in so many different ways...
You didn't think the kids dancing was cute?
JBM - Agreed. Of course, it's always hard to say what someone will do once in power...
I did see it, and you know that. :-P I will concede, though, that her version is NOT shmaltzy. I'm going to agree with PN and call it somewhat disturbing. Hava Nagila was just not meant to be cool...or sung by a pop singer dancing in a halter top and mini skirt. It's just wrong.
ReplyDeleteEEEEWWWWWW! Hava Nagila reminds me of my bubby dancing at my brother's bar-mitzvah. I absolutely hate the idea of a teeny bopper turning it into a sexy dance number.
ReplyDeletewestbankmama
is it halachically permissable for you to watch that video? Im not trying to start up, just wondering what your halachic view is. I too was thoughrouly disturbed- that the tune my granparents (europeans came to isreal pre war of indendance)sang after the war would be degregated in such a manner- although perhaps this proves that things not founded on torah do not last.
ReplyDelete