By Sruly Meyer – COLlive
In preparation for the yomim noraim, here are some of my favorite teshuvah-related songs to help us focus our Avodah and Tefilah on reflecting on the past year and davening for a good year. (This isn’t instead of niggunim, of course).
Mordechai Ben David:
Just One Shabbos (1982)
Song and lyrics by MBD
This song perfectly blends the two concepts. A Yid finds himself at the Western Wall, hoping to connect, and as we learn in the song, Just One Shabbos, and we will all be free! This song has a certain simplicity to it that makes it so easily singable, the message so easily delivered, and of course, it has become a staple at Chabad Houses and Shabbos tables around the world.
Avraham Fried: The Return
The Time is Now (1982)
Composed by Chanie Weinberg
Lyrics by Shmuely Goldman
This song and “Just One Shabbos” might have familiar themes, but the styles, vocals and arrangements are each so perfect for their stars. Both are powerful in their own ways. “Standing at the holy wall, The gateway for our prayers….” this Fried classic goes. “Open your heart, Hashem awaits to enter, to be at your side, a single stride is all you need.”
Moshe Yess: Shabbos on My Mind
The Angel Song (1983)
(This song is also commonly referred to as L-rd of Hosts)
As a Baal Teshuvah himself and an incredible lover of music, Moshe Yess was responsible for many songs about Yiddishkeit. The Angel Song may not be his most famous song but it’s a natural selection for this list. It captures the tragedy of being apart from Hashem with the compassion that we are welcomed back to Him. “A teardrop of repentance is the thing I cherish most,” he sings.
8th Day: Chasing Prophecy Tatenyu (2011)
This song is the modern version of the previous two, yet it also still retains its uniqueness and charm. “He came by for a Shabbos, we stayed up way past two, we spoke about a life of meaning, ‘cuz he was just looking for You.” It’s followed by, “Not looking to pull any strings, We’re just looking for you, Tatenyu.”
Journeys 3
The Atheist Convention In L.A. (1992)
Composed By Abie Rotenberg
Abie Rotenberg deserves more than a few honorable mentions in this genre, but I choose this one because it’s one of his “storytime” best. This song is written so well, from a humor standpoint, from the narration and the visuals it depicts. This song takes a much more gut-punch approach to finding Hashem.
Ohr Chodosh Vol 3 (Country Yossi)
He’s Coming Closer (1986)
Also known as “The Music of Redemption”
Composed By Yossi Toiv with Heshy Walfish
There was a certain symmetry with this list, and so here is a song that once again combines Teshuvah with Moshiach. Yossi Toiv, before he was Country Yossi, founded and sung as part of Ohr Chodesh. He composed this gut-wrenching plea with the Yidden of the world to know, “He’s Coming Closer …”
Beni and Gad Elbaz
Lo Kashe Lahzor B’teshuva
As a 9-year-old child, Gad Elbaz was injured while playing outside of the shul on Shabbos. He didn’t have a pulse and was unconscious. His father, Beni, promised Hashem that if his son’s life was saved, he would “devote his life to Hashem.” Gad recovered, and Beni wrote this song, which was an incredible hit. Many in the secular world in Israel who became frum credit this song for igniting their awakening.
Tzlil V’zemer Boys Choir – Vol 6
It’s Never Too Late (1992)
Produced by Avraham Rosenberg
Lyrics by Steven Staum
This last song is a personal favorite of mine and also very much connects to this topic. If you weren’t a Tzlil V’zemer fan growing up, then I strongly suggest listening to these albums. The English songs are very well written and with the strong messaging and music, you will be inspired. This song tells the story of a man reminiscing about his father and how he hoped he would return to Yiddishkeit. And it ends with a twist.
Honorable Mentions:
Marvelous Middos Machine: The Teshuvah Song
Journeys – Abie: No place like home
Yaakov Shwekey: Osim Teshuvah
Dovid Gabay: Osim Teshuvah
Yaakov Shweley and Lipa: Saba Kadisha
Joey Newcomb – It’s Never Too Late: To Be A Yid (2019)
Yisroel Werdyger – Bayis Neeman Yisroel: Shuvu Banim
Shlomo Carlebach: Sinner Man
Lipa – Baderech: A Kaparah
Mordechai Ben David – I’m So Proud: Let My People Go
King of Tony’s
Great article, fun going down memory lane with some of these songs
Thank you for compiling this list. I’m really enjoying it.
Really enjoyed these great choices of songs. Brought back such memories. Elbaz father son duet and Moshe Yess favourites.