The Maccabeats have released their newest video, with the theme of Rosh Hashana, "Book of Good Life." (Lyrics posted at the end)
Although I really enjoyed One Day (their first video, made before they became famous), and Candlelight (the video that made them famous), I was a little more critical of their Purim video (see my post here).
My thoughts on the Rosh Hashana video: It is awesome! Mostly, I agree with what Shades of Grey wrote in his post. My only critique of the video is that the tune is not so catchy. I had this problem with the Purim video as well- I would love to hear something we can sing along to. It was so easy over Chanukah to find myself going, "I flip my latkes in the air sometimes" whereas with Purim I would start going, "So raise your glass...- wait, what are the rest of the lyrics?" It just wasn't quite as easy to sing along with. It's quite possible that after I watch the Rosh Hashana video a few more times I will change my mind about this, so the jury is still out, but in any event the song choice not being amazing is my really my only critique.
That being said, there are so many things I like about the Rosh Hashana video:
1.The sound quality of the video was incredible and it was so pleasant and wonderful to listen to. The harmonies and arrangement is beautiful, as is the case with all of the Maccabeats' other songs.
2. The video itself was incredibly well done. The story line in the video about doing good things was inspirational and uplifting, while at the same time the bits and pieces of humor that were included put a smile on my face. It was fun to watch in addition to being fun to listen to. I liked the continuation of a food mishap- this time the honey dripping replacing the jelly falling from the donut in Candlelight. I also really liked the "every day" type of feel that this video has.
What I would personally love to see next from the Maccabeats is a video that does not revolve around a Holiday. The One Day video was wonderful and I feel like since Candlelight made them famous, the Maccabeats feel like they have to do videos about Jewish Holidays since then. No need to wait for Chanukah for the next video- I say break out of the box, and pick something besides Jewish Holidays, there is so much else out there.
To sum up: Well done, Maccabeats, excellent video. Looking forward to the next one.
What were your thoughts on the video? Like/dislike?
Lyrics (taken from their YouTube page):
Woke up and realized yesterday
Think it's a bummer end of the summer
Kinda nervous that we're almost there
At the days of awe
Prayers in a language that I don't know
Standing for hours and hours more
I wish that someone would please tell me-e-e-e
What it is we're praying for
Oh put me in the book of good life
I just wanna live the good life
This could really be a good life, good life
Say oh, we've got feelings that we should fight
Make sure that we're choosing right
Gotta earn my own place in
The book of good life
Time for reflection on the past year
Time to figure out what we're doing here
Replace the guilt with inspiration
And everything is clear
Life in the present, the here and now
Easier than regret and planning out
Living in the moment, lasts for a moment
Got my future to think about
When you're sitting there in shul
Wishing it was over
You gotta take a beat
And let it all sink in
Oh put me in the book of good life
I just wanna live the good life
This could really be a good life, good life
Say oh, we've got feelings that we should fight
Make sure that we're choosing right
Gotta earn my own place in
The book of good life
Hopefully
This year will bring us happiness and peace
Hopefully
Sensitivity to others will increase
Hopefully
We'll open our eyes and think more consciously
Cuz Hopefully
We'll go from where we are to where we want to be
Oh put me in the book of good life
I just wanna live the good life
This could really be a good life, good life
Say oh, we've got feelings that we should fight
Make sure that we're choosing right
Gotta earn my own place in
The book of good life
Oh yeah
Book of Good life
Ooh
Listen
Time for reflection on the past year
Time to figure out what we're doing here
Replace the guilt with inspiration
And everything is clear
Life in the present seems more fun
Easier than regret, what's done is done
Living in the moment, lasts for a moment
Shana Tova to everyone
_
I'm not too crazy about the Maccabeats, since they mostly take already existing songs and change the lyrics. Matisyahu's "One Day" was perfect as is.
ReplyDeleteYet this video had me tearing up. They make a great point - there are so many little changes we can do to make our lives better and more fulfilling for ourselves and the other people in our lives.
People want to change in MAJOR ways by doing MAJOR things they can't, in the end, maintain. But doing the little things, as they show, can make a HUGE difference.
What's great about the Maccabeats is not that their songs are original, but their musical acapella arrangement which is where they are so talented.
ReplyDeleteI quite agree with you- we think in terms of major changes, but you're right- the message of the video that small things make a difference is a great message!
Thanks for the name-drop and link :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with your views also - and Princess Lea mentioned some really good points. I checked out the original song and lyrics "Book of Good Life" was based off of, and I have to say that I really like how the Maccabeats changed it around to be far more positive and inspiring.
Take for example the chorus "hopefully..." - the original had "hopelessly..." and talked about a bunch of stuff that wasn't particularly important for our lives. The message of the original song was one of living in the moment, that temporary excitement and exploring the unknown crazy world is what life is worth living for. THAT, they said, is the good life.
Aside from being totally wrong, I love the fact how the Maccabeats teased out the real message, a far better message, for us to listen to be become inspired to improve ourselves.
SoG- anytime :) I hadn't looked at the original song, but I agree- "hopefully" is much more positive than "hopelessly." So many lyrics today are so corny and cheesy, and I think the Maccabeats did a good job at putting in decent lyrics with a good message.
ReplyDeletelove the maccabeats. great messege.
ReplyDeleteWhile their first songs, Someday & Candlelight were amazing, with regards to this R"H song, frankly i'm shocked at how low Jewish tastes in music have become. Rosh Hashana is a serious time, a time of judgment. How these boys don't have the slightest compunction at putting a Rosh Hashana song to such a wild beat which is the antithesis of kedusha, is beyond my comprehension. I'm sure many others in the Jewish world would feel the same way, but they're the silent majority.
ReplyDelete