This essay was originally posted under the title “Jewish Music” on my “The Second Son” blogspot blog. It's a (now extensive) side-by-side comparisons of some of the songs circulating in the Yeshivish community that are widely accepted as authentically Jewish, next to the original versions. I’ve periodically updated the post. Over a decade later, this is still the most popular thing I’ve ever written.
In my experience, the top tier of Gedolim never occupied themselves with this topic. Only the level 2 wannabes and some Mesivta Rebbeim.
The idea that the frum world rejects goyishe music as a shita is like saying the frum world rejects long sheitels as a shita. Lots of noise, but no substance.
The goyishe music scene is, of course, unacceptable. Correctly, no Yeshiva can tolerate its talmidim as music devotees, fans, or groupies.
Frankly, including Country Yossi, Shlock Rock, AKA Pella, Maccabeats, Six13, or even Uncle Moishy are kind of unfair because those are explicitly parodies. It's the MBD ones that are surprising.
In my experience, the top tier of Gedolim never occupied themselves with this topic. Only the level 2 wannabes and some Mesivta Rebbeim.
The idea that the frum world rejects goyishe music as a shita is like saying the frum world rejects long sheitels as a shita. Lots of noise, but no substance.
The goyishe music scene is, of course, unacceptable. Correctly, no Yeshiva can tolerate its talmidim as music devotees, fans, or groupies.
The intro and interlude of 'It's what I believe' from Journeys III sounds quite similar to the intro of 'Piano man' by Billy Joel.
https://youtu.be/nZ8oOHjsSxQ?si=ckAyUz3RTa8G-tsG
Surely has to feature
Gosh i can do this all day.....
Home by Yoni Z ft. Nissim Black -Dead and Gone by T.I ft. Justin Timberlake
Reframe it-Moishe Tischler- Monsters by Eminem (High part)
Nashir Kulanu by Gad Elbaz-Viva forever by Spice Girls
Friends by Mordechai Shapiro-Castle on the Hill by Ed Sheeran (Influence)
Baas Kol By CS Myes-Baby,Im worth it by Fifth harmony
only Love by Waterbury Mesifta-Only Love Jordan Smith
Ein Od milvado by Mordechai Shapiro-Dance Monekey by Tones and I
Yesh Tikva by Benny Friedman-We Run the Night by pitbull
Yofyafisa by Shelsheles-Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson
Do I know more!? There's tons!
Here's two great places to start:
https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=6792.0;topicseen
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2C1R6KRDa4FZ2GpkGLWQGX?si=eTGsTTGWQji3cvlnjgMpgA
Frankly, including Country Yossi, Shlock Rock, AKA Pella, Maccabeats, Six13, or even Uncle Moishy are kind of unfair because those are explicitly parodies. It's the MBD ones that are surprising.