Hang 10: Music to Groove into the High Holy Days

Aaron Berger (on the left) is celebrating 14 years of his partner Jarred Lightner putting up with his general household mania. Facing challenges ranging from home haircuts to home renovations to the loss of family members, Jarred has proven to be the much better half in this partnership.

Even as a kid I wanted to see people like me represented on TV, in movies, and most of all in popular music. We can trace an evolution from our gay-anthem leaders like Barbra, Cher, Dolly, and Diana to out performers like Elton, George, Melissa, and Ricky. Now our evolution has continued to where we can revel in songs that highlight love and identity in all forms. 

All the artists below fall under the LBGTQ+ umbrella including two Allies, because we would not have gotten this far without others reaching back to pull us ahead (important life lesson there). While there are songs that seek forgiveness, it’s important to note these artists are asking to be forgiven for who they are, not misdeeds or wrongdoings. To balance that, I’ve included songs that are unabashedly unapologetic. Viva L’Evolution! 

1.      And I Love Him performed by Benjamin Gibbard
2.      Him by Sam Smith
3.      Confessions by Cub Sport
4.      Soldier by Trixie Mattel
5.      In or Out by Ani DiFranco
6.      Simply the Best performed by Noah Reid
7.      Girls, Girls, Girls by Ana Egge
8.      Daughter by Ryan Cassata
9.      Swings Both Ways by Robbie Williams & Rufus Wainwright 
10.    Everyone is Gay by A Great Big World 
     

Empowering Bonus Tracks:
Gay Pride | Fight Song             
I Like Boys by Todrick Hall (behind the scenes) 
March March by The Chicks     

Casey was raised on a healthy dose of punk rock music which was tempered a bit when he went to college in a forest in Olympia, Washington. Since, he’s weaved many musical threads into a growing tapestry of sounds and meaning that in some small way connects him to the earth or the sky or the stars. From whale song to Space Oddity, Casey loves to uncover a little nugget of wisdom in everything he encounters—so maybe if he’s every stuck floating around in a tin can, he will at least have songs to hum and things to think about…

In this playlist, I wanted to try to share some of my mindset as I move from the joy and sweetness of Rosh Hashanah into the more personal, introspective space of Yom Kippur. Starting with a few upbeat, joyous songs, the titles capture the intention—be love, be fearless…and play! We then move into a more focused “be here now” and start to delve into our relationship with the earth, creatures, and children. And then, even as we strive to be resilient in the face of life, we have to confront our idea of how we want to live (To the Great Unknown) with the reality that we do miss the mark (Twisted) and do have to confront our ultimate end (Come Home). But, if we do the work, the stars may align and we are off “To Zion”. I hope there’s a little nugget in here for you too. 

1.    Be Love (feat. Tubby Love) by Satsang
2.    Be Fearless and Play by Wookiefoot
3.    Be Here Now (feat. Nahko) by Corey French
4.    Honor the Earth by Nahko and Medicine for the People
5.    Small but Fierce by Wookiefoot
6.    Resilient by Rising Appalachia
7.    To the Great Unknown by Cloud Cult
8.    Twisted by Nahko and Medicine for the People
9.    Come Home by Cloud Cult
10.  To Zion by Trevor Hall

Faith grew up in the early 60’s with three older sisters who were always listening to AM, then FM Rock stations along with so many 45s and LPs. Rock and Roll became ingrained in her at an early age. At this point, now in her 60’s, Faith would say she have a solid foundation in the genre. 

So as we traverse the Days of Awe, reviewing our lives, baring our souls, casting off sins, standing, asking for forgiveness, fasting, and then standing some more, I hope these songs will allow you to mine even further for veins of personal and collective meaning.

1.   Wall of Denial by Stevie Ray Vaughn 
2.   Come As You Are by Nirvana
3.   Take Me to the River by Talking Heads
4.   Stand by R.E.M.
5.   Evil Ways by Santana
6.   You’re No Good by Linda Ronstadt
7.   All Apologies by Nirvana
8.   Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More by The Allman Brothers Band
9.   Runnin’ on Empty by Jackson Browne
10. Have a Talk With God by Stevie Wonder
     

Bonus Tashlich and Stand (Again) Tracks: 
Touch Caste on the Water by Hedge and Donna 
Down By The River by Neil Young 
Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding 
Solitude Standing by Suzanne Vega
I’ll Stand By You by The Pretenders

Gregg has been enamored by the stage since 4th grade, when he stood front and center, facing out to the audience as Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater in ‘Babes in Toyland,’ and said a line.  What the line was, he has no idea. But he sure remembers those faces staring right at him.  As they say, he was smitten. His first trip to NYC, and first Broadway musical, was for his bar mitzvah, where he saw Janis Page (and Bea Arthur) in ‘Mame.’  (“Open A New Window” just missed making this list. It is a bonus track.) And that was that. 

The 10 selected songs have an arc, from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur.  They’re intended to be listened to in order, but you don’t have to do so.  Broadway songs are interesting:  They are written for a specific context, to move the story forward.  It’s not easy to pull them out of the show.  Yet all of these not only work within the show for which they were written, but each also stands alone.  They mean something to me.  I hope they mean something to you, too. L’shonah Tovah!

1.   Prepare Ye from Godspell
2.   Prayer from Come From Away
3.   The Story Goes On from Baby
4.   Naughty from Matilda
5.   It’s Quiet Uptown from Hamilton
6.   Make Our Garden Grow from Candide
7.   For Good from Wicked
8.   Measure the Valleys from Raisin
9.   You Will Be Found from Dear Evan Hansen
10. It’s Not Where You Start from Seesaw

Bonus Tracks:
Come Down from the Tree from Once On This Island
Corner of the Sky from Pippin
Circle of Life from The Lion King
Open A New Window from Mame

Rabbi Josh grew up on disco which probably reveals a great deal. Even more telling, most of these hits were playing at roller rinks where he was learning a great deal about life’s ups and downs. Most importantly, he left with the lesson that has guided his rabbinate: “You just can’t skate through life!”

Preparing this “High Discolidays” playlist, I donned my leisure suit and cranked up the glitter ball. Take this Teshuvah themed High Holy Days Playlist to inspire your journey from missing the mark to unabashed self-acceptance.  As we all turn the beat around, this year, let us pray that we will be stayin’ alive because after all we are family. Right? Right on!

1.   September by Earth Wind and Fire
2.   Bad Girls by Donna Summer
3.   Shame by Evelyn Champagne King
4.   Turn the Beat Around by Vicki Sue Robinson
5.   Don’t Leave Me This Way by Thelma Houston
6.   Got to Be Real by Cheryl Lynn
7.   I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
8.   Stayin’ Alive by The Bee Gees
9.   I Am What I Am by Gloria Gaynor
10. We Are Family by Sister Sledge
     

Bonus Tracks:
Avinu Malkeinu by Jennifer Duretz Peled
Israelism (Hevenu Shalom) by Army of Lovers 
V’Haer Ayneny by Eshet Chayil