the 15 greatest camp chi songs of all time
THE
15 GREATEST CAMP CHI SONGS OF ALL TIME AS CHOOSEN BY YOU! RECENTLY WE ASKED VIA AN ONLINE POLL WHAT ARE THE 15 GREATEST SONGS to grace camp chi. CAMPERS, STAFF AND CAMP CHI ALUMNI HAVE VOTED AND WE’VE TALLYED UP THE RESULTS
15
Can’t hold us - macklemore & ryan lewis
14
fire & rain - james taylor
13
drift away - dobie gray
Can’t Hold Us was the 2013 song of the summer. In a unique twist we let the campers choose what was going to be the song of the summer crowd reactione at Homecoming. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis beat One Direction and Taylor Swift to the top spot by campers going absolutly crazy for Can’t Hold Us - it’s the best pump up jam at the moment - just ask the Seattle Seahawks, the NFL team that Macklemore supports. The music video for Can’t Hold Us won two MTV Video Music Awards last year for Best Hip-Hop Video and Best Cinematography. Moody and introspective, "Fire and Rain" became something of a prototype for the singer-songwriter genre that would boom in the few years following its release. A realitvly slow number, Fire & Rain is a song for those delicate memories such as Chi burning, camp fires or the last song of a song session. The song has many intertupations to fans, guessers and even James Taylor! In 2005, Taylor told an interviewer the song is split into three parts chronicling three different parts of his life so far. Fire & Rain was orginally released way back in 1970 and was released on the latest technlogy available - a 7-inch vinyl. Doing research for this feature I had never heard the original version of this song. It’s because our Song Leaders make this song their own ever summer! A popular hit at every song session, Drift Away encompasses everything needed to make a good camp song - a belting chorus, crazy moves to accompany the song and perfect mix between a slow and fast chorus. This song is also a famous "goodbye" or ending song for concerts. Its use is often as filler for a last song, usually in preparation for an encore, since it has a catchy beat and a guitar solo.
Bad, Bad Leroy Brown - Jim croce
12
House on pooh corner - kenny Loggins
11
yesterday - the beatles
10
If a song mentions the south side of Chicago it’s going to feature on this Top 15. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown (or Leroy Brown for short) was released in 1973 and carries on that great era of singer-songwriter’s started by James Taylor three years earlier. ‘Leroy’, due to his size and attitude, had a reputation as the "baddest man in the whole damn town." One day, in a bar, he makes a pass at a pretty, married woman, whose jealous husband proceeds to beat Leroy in the ensuing fight. Not so bad now are you Leroy?
House at Pooh Corner is the title of a song that was written by Kenny Loggins, based on the popular children's book of the same name. The song was written by Kenny Loggins but first performed byThe Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1970. The song was further released on their album Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy. The book which the song was based on was published in 1928. It’s the second volume of books based on Winnie The Pooh written by A. A. Milne. It’s notable for the introduction of Tigger the Tiger who like Winnie became a prominent charachter in the series.
McCartney came up with Yesterday in a dream. Upon waking, he hurried to a piano and played the tune to avoid forgetting it. McCartney's initial concern was that he had subconsciously plagiarised someone else's work (known as cryptomnesia). As he put it, "For about a month I went round to people in the music business and asked them whether they had ever heard it before. Eventually it became like handing something in to the police. I thought if no-one claimed it after a few weeks then I could have it.” This all happened in the 60’s with the song orginally being recorded in 1965.
9
Anything can happen - ellie goulding
8
american pie - don mclean
7
you’ve got a friend - james taylor
This has seen a late surge into this poll at the demand of one village in particular - Chalutzim. Ellie Goulding’s hit from her second album Halycon became the adopted anthem of the 7th graders last summer. The song is about exactly what it says on the tin - anything can happen at Camp Chi. It’s about being open to try new things and new expereinces. Not only do the themes earn it a #9 rank but it’s a pretty decent pop/dance anthem with a europhic chorus.
The song captures Don Mclean’s period of grieving for Buddy Holly who passed away in 1959 from an air crash. (Who said good songs never had a sad meaning.) McLean said about the song when questioned: “You will find many interpretations of my lyrics but none of them by me. Sorry to leave you all on your own like this but long ago I realized that songwriters should make their statements and move on, maintaining a dignified silence. Although McLean dedicated the American Pie album to Buddy Holly, none of the musicians in the plane crash are identified by name in the song itself.
Another one of James Taylor’s classic has featured in the Top 15 - You’ve Got A Friend. Written in 1971, Taylor and co-writer Carole King won Song of the Year at The Grammys. Taylor also won best Male Vocal Performance. Various artists have recorded the song over the years, including Dusty Springfield, Michael Jackson, and Donny Hathaway. The song is perfect for installing the value of friendship; espicailly the younger campers. For those thinking it, this isn’t the same song as featured in the Toy Story films!
time of your life - green day
6
lean on me - bill withers
5
HAtikvah (The Hope) - rick recht
4
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day makes number six on our chart. Written in 1994 but only released three years later, the song later became a hit at prom dances; much to the band’s surprise. Armstrong had not meant it to be a romantic song, and was surprised that it was used so. Producer Richard Cavallo (producer for ‘Nimrod’) wanted to add strings to the track. He sent the band to play foosball for 15 minutes whilst he did it. Cavallo reflected on his decision to add the strings "I knew we had done the right thing. I knew it was a hit the second I heard it." Lean On Me was Bill Wither’s only number one single and was his third attempt at topping the charts. His previous two attempts Ain’t No Sunshine went to number three and Grandma’s Hands only reached 42. Lean On Me is really popular at Camp Chi. Easy to sing, create actions and even create alternative lyrics to songleader Scott Seriota’s dismay. Numerous cover versions have been recorded, and it is one of only nine songs to have reached number one with versions recorded by two different artists.
This song is the highlight for many at every Camp Chi Shabbat service. The credit for this song goes to Rich Recht who is a Jewish rock musician who is especially known for his live performances and for groups of youth all over the United States as well as performances at synagogues and Jewish rock festivals. A great ‘sing-and-repeat’ number, The Hope encompasses everything great about Chi - music, fun, togetherness and the Jewish faith.
3
Iris - the goo goo dolls
2
ALL MY LIFE’S A CIRCLE - Harry chapin
This song is not only one of the biggest 90's alternative rock staples in the history of alternative music, it is also one of the biggest crossover hits and the most played song of 1998. Iris was originally written for the film City of Angels - a romantic fantasy drama film starring Meg Ryan and Nicholas Cage. The soundtrack for that film became incredibly successful. Not only did Iris become a hit but also Uninvited by Atlantis Morrissette and Angel by Sarah McLachlan made the charts too. The song propelled the band to stardom, as it stayed on top of Billboard Hot 100 Airplay charts for a record-breaking 18 weeks, and was nominated for three Grammys that year. According to several interviews with vocalist John Rzeznik, he was experiencing serious bouts of writer's block when he was approached, and was on the verge of quitting the band days before he wrote the song. All the songs in the top four are all connected to a significant period of a Camp Chi summer. The Hope being played at Shabbat. Iris being played at Chi Burning. All My Life’s A Circle is the final song that is played after a fun, chaotic song session after Shabbat services and meal on a Friday night. The song brings emotion to the surface whilst a whole village sits in a circle taking turns to sing the lyrics. It’s a emotional one - especially when it’s the last song session of a song session. More about the writer, Harry Chapin. Chapin was also a dedicated humanitarian who fought to end world hunger; he was a key participant in the creation of the Presidential Commission on World Hunger in 1977. In 1987, Chapin was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his humanitarian work.
1 She got mad and lost her head OLD ST. HELEN! Sky turned black and the trees fell dead OLD ST. HELEN! Cleanup crews were working hard OLD ST. HELEN! They had to change that postcard OLD ST. HELEN!
Oh, oh, oh, the mountains gonna blow! Oh, oh, oh, the lava's gonna flow! Oh, oh, oh, the ash is gonna rise! Oh, oh, oh, there were pieces of the mountain in your eyes, Up your nose and down your chest! A little bitdeeper on every breath! She don't care your point of view, now the mountain's part of you! RUMBLE!!! Truman lived by Spirit Lake OLD ST. HELEN! They told him to leave, he said, "Aww, give me a break!" OLD ST. HELEN! "I've lived on this mountain fifty years!" OLD ST. HELEN! "Ain't nothing moving me from here!" OLD ST. HELEN! OLD ST. HELEN! In 1980 that's when she blew OLD ST. HELEN! Old man Truman did not dodge OLD ST. HELEN! She covered him up inside his lodge OLD ST. HELEN! Ten years later I came by OLD ST. HELEN! Looking at the sights and the things to buy OLD ST. HELEN! In between the mobile homes OLD ST. HELEN! I see she's got a brand new dome OLD ST. HELEN!
old saint helen billy jonas Billy is a bit of a celebrity at Camp Chi. His main philosophy in lift is one that is similarly adopted at Camp Chi throwing the rule book out of the window. An advocate of improvisation and recycled instruments, Billy proves that you can make something out of nothing.
within themselves. Billy Jonas' recordings and live concerts across the US and Canada have generated an enthusiastic following. His CD "What Kind of Cat are You?!" received multiple awards including a First Place/Gold from AFIM (American Federation of Independent Musicians),
"My favourite instrument is the audience. I work to 'tribalize' the compositions, to provide an immediate opportunity for the listener to join in."
Billy Jonas is one of those rare performers who can engage and delight both young and adult audiences. Billy's clear tenor voice is well-suited to a plethora of venues, from intimate settings and workshop sessions to large halls and outdoor festivals. For more than two decades, his creative and interactive performances have enchanted and inspired folks from all walks of life — touching hearts, souls, and minds world-wide. As a founding member of the acclaimed duo "The Billys," Billy Jonas made innovative use of "found objects." He helps audiences discover the music within common items and
and a Parent's Choice Gold. Jonas' videos have garnered critical acclaim, including Parents Choice Awards and a New York Times "Best" listing. In 2010 he was invited to present a concert at the White House!
Old Saint Helen is a Camp Chi classic and it’s only fitting it made number one on our list of all-time favourite camp songs. Obviously based on Saint Helen - a volcano in Washington state, the song is a metaphor on releasing the inner ‘lava’ in you and being as free-flowing as Saint Helen was when she erupted in May 18 1980.
Billy Jonas has shared stages with many renowned artists, including Alison Krauss, Peter Yarrow, Keb' Mo', Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kathy Mattea, Paul Winter, Michele Shocked, Justin Bieber (yes, the Justin Bieber!), Ani DiFranco, David Wilcox, Richard Thompson, and Pete Seeger.
His upbeat, engaging presence encourages active audience participation. His concerts are a magical mix of stagecraft and wholesome, open-ended, anything-can-happen spontaneity. Billy Jonas offers family and adult oriented concerts, primarily with his three or four piece band. Billy's educational concerts include study guide materials and are usually booked in conjunction with a public performance in a community.
Winkle Magazine was lucky enough a few weeks ago to catch up with the man who topped our poll Billy Jonas and ask him a few questions! What was the first instrument you learned to play and when? Piano at five years old, guitar at eight, trombone at ten. No discipline though, so I graduated to pots and pans in high school.
In high school and college most of my friends were not musicians, yet they wanted to play, so we had massive ‘kitchen jams,’ playing pots and pans with chopsticks. In college (Oberlin, in Ohio) we turned it into a band, ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ a voice and percussion ensemble using all found objects and homemade instruments. Did you start performing somewhere? What was the response?
After college I began writing songs and playing them at coffee houses and ‘open stages.’ I would present them raw, with just one water bottle drum and my voice, imagining that if they worked in this striped down form, they were worthy to develop into full Pots and Pans?! I guess you blown songs with guitar or other traditional instruments, started using ‘recyclable’ but the response to the songs instruments from an early age? Where did you get the in this initial raw form was so strong, and the smiles were so idea of using those kinds big, that I realized they were of instruments? often complete as they were. I was also imagining that when It all began at Camp Chi actually, around the campfire, the songs were finished they would have a full band playing where, just as in a tribal culand singing them. ture, the lines were blurred between performer and audi- To approximate that, I would ence - everybody was part of give simple parts out to the the band! Guitars, a harmon- audience. ica, buckets, sticks, rocks, and everybody singing together Heaven!
I knew from early on that I wanted music to be a big part of my life, but I wasn’t sure it would be a career until it started to be. If I wasn’t a musician, I’d be involved with camps and environmental education or languages.
“Yes, I’ve shared the stage with Justin Bieber!”
Would you describe your music as funky? Absolutely!
"Turn-of-the-21st century neo-tribal hootenanny music," or "funky folk music," for short. Where are you from?
I grew up in Chicago. Many people in my family have been extremely musical - my great grandfather was a cantor in a synagogue in Germany. Who do you like to listen to when you are not performing yourself ?
Joni Mitchell, Harry Partch, Parliament-Funkadelic, Igor Stravinsky, Jimi Hendrix, Maurice Ravel, Spike Jones, Pete Seeger.
Have you always wanted to be a musician? I knew from early on that I wanted music to be a big part of my life, but I wasn’t sure it would be a career until it started to be. If I wasn’t a musician, I’d be involved with camps and environmental education or languages.
I think I'm right in saying Billy you used to be a staff member at Camp Chi in the early 90s, what was that like?
Yes -- I was a song leader in 1995 and 1996. It was fun, and exhausting! I remember putting my entire body and soul into it -- there was a singalong culture at the time, but it didn't feel cohesive. I remember attempting to will the cohesion into existence, through volume and enthusiasm. It kind of worked! You returned last year for a Shabbat appearance, has much had changed since you were last there and what had you missed the most?
It seems that a singalong culture has taken root! I'm sure it can be traced to multiple songleaders over the years. Kids were extremely excited to have me there, and to hear Old Saint Helen sung by the originator of the song. There are more facilities, but amazingly it’s very similar to 20 years ago. Camps are good at that -- keeping the good aspects for decades, so that campers can return with their kids and grandkids, and feel like they are sharing something intimate. Its kind of like a time capsule -- That's magical! How important is music to Camp Chi? There are camps where it is everything.
At Camp Chi it seems to be moving in that direction. The kids and staff seem to really get into it.
You are the composer of an all-time Camp Chi classic (and #1 on our poll), Old Saint Helen, can you tell us more about that song? That song popped out of my mouth as I was hiking on Mt. Saint Helen in 1990, as the counselor for a group of 10 year olds from Camp Thunderbird, a camp from Bemidji, Minnesota. We had flown to the Pacific Northwest for a 19 day hiking adventure. The mountain gave me the song. Anything else to add Billy?
I think Camp Chi offers tremendous opportunities to the campers and staff. I’m proud to be part of their family, and to have participated in creating a Camp Chi legacy in Old Saint Helen!
“Kids were extremely excited to have me there, and to hear Old Saint Helen sung by the originator of the song.”
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