As a 17 year old out of high school, Keaton started thinking about college. He decided on The Evergreen State College, located in Olympia, Washington. The area, which has become known as a fertile breeding ground for music and art, proved perfect to set in motion his initiation into the immense world of music. It was there that Keaton started writing songs. He dove in headfirst, taking on courses ranging from 20th century classical composition to Indonesian gamelan music to jazz and quite a lot in between. Keaton's years at Evergreen not only introduced him to diverse global music but also taught him to incorporate everything into his own sensibilities. Major record labels have accused Keaton of being too diverse to contain.
After an early graduation, it was back to Los Angeles, playing music with old friends like Tre Hardson (of The Pharcyde) and new ones like singer N'Dea Davenport (of the Brand New Heavies), Kim Hill (of the Black Eyed Peas), underground hip-hop legend Medusa and appearing on Jay Leno's TONIGHT SHOW with hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg.
Before Keaton was 21 years old he was asked to compose music for the motion picture Mercy Streets. Labels began to investigate and eventually he landed a deal with Maverick Records. Keaton released a five-song EP with Maverick entitled "Currently". The EP displays a taste of bluesy, rootsy, guitar-driven songs & ballads, with stylish arrangements that showcase his rich, often spooky melodies. Indeed, the disc's delicate, down-home title track is in rotation at radio stations around America. Recently reaching ..1 on the charts of Tucson, AZ's KWMT 92.9 The Mountain.
One of the first to play Keaton's music was influential LA public radio station KCRW, which afforded him the opportunity in early 2005 to play the Universal Amphitheatre supporting Coldplay. Keaton's music has also been featured on LA's ..1 mid-day radio show, KLSX 97.1, "Heidi, Frosty and Frank". Here is where leaks have started of some of the tracks on Keaton's album that were produced by well known producing team, The Matrix. The timing for Keaton's meeting (through a mutual friend) with the Matrix really worked for both. Keaton's songs were thought of as being too alternatively structured to be radio friendly, though many agreed there was something there. The Matrix, just off Avril Lavigne's COMPLICATED, were seeking something to ground them, and reveal the soul in their pop music. The team loved every second of working together, and ended up with an album that was completed just in time for the record label to conclude changes that made releasing such a "big album" impossible. Hence, a move to the beautiful freedom and diversity of CD Baby.
Keaton participated in the 2005 Sundance Film Festival as a part of BMI's annual showcase. Sharing the bill with Vanessa Carlton, Minnie Driver, Joe Firstman and Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie and The Postal Service). Keaton is no stranger to the world of film and television. It's kind of the family business. Keaton's little stepsister, Emma Roberts, costars with JoJo in the just completed AQUAMARINE. Emma has an album coming out, featuring songs from her television series UNFABULOUS. Keaton's sister, Morgan Simons, is a culinary artist who tries to feed actresses healthfully enough such that they will not need to name their babies after food!
Keaton's grandfather, Don Garrett, has been publicist to such world renowned sensations as everything from The Supremes to "The Flintstones". Another of Keaton's grandfathers, screenwriter David Rayfiel, wrote such loved films as "Three Days of the Condor" & "Round Midnight", to name a few. Keaton's grandmother, Lila Garrett (whom Keaton immortalized in the song "Joseph" on which Keaton took the opportunity to play all the instruments including drums, bass, piano, guitar and vocals) has credits and Emmy awards as writer/ producer/ director on pretty much every situation comedy from the 1960s to the 2000s. Keaton and his father, Jimmy Simons, had a chance recently to work together when Keaton appeared on Fox Televisions' MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE, which Jimmy produces and sometimes directs. Keaton was cast by his episode's director, Bryan Cranston, who also plays "Hal" on the series. Keaton's mother, Eliza Roberts, has made a name for herself as a Hollywood Jane of all trades. From actress to casting director, manager to writer. In her early 20s she became producer of the pre-MTV phenomenon "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert". With baby Keaton in tow, Eliza's show hosted live performances from such acts as Chuck Berry, James Brown, The Brothers Johnson, Donna Summers, Abba, Natalie Cole, and featured early comedy by David Letterman, Andy Kaufman, Michael Keaton and almost Robin Williams - but no one could quite figure out what his act was.
Beyond MALCOLM, like many musicians today, Keaton has crossed over into the world of acting, having performed a heart-stopping rendition of Bob Dylan's "Masters of War" on NBC's acclaimed "American Dreams". Keaton will also be seen starring in Henry Jaglom's upcoming feature film, "Hollywood Dreams" (Lots of "dreams" needed to sort through some of the harsh realities of our world these days, it would seem). Keaton's earliest work features his mother, Eliza (Garrett), three months pregnant with him, when she appeared as "Brunella, at the desk" in NATIONAL LAMPOON'S ANIMAL HOUSE.
I'm Farputst for Hanukkah
Keaton Simons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had a shay getz cousin
Who asked me why on Hanukkah
Of gifts I get a dozen
Although he was a kibitzer
He wore a worried face
I said, hey I'm no big shot here
I only get but eight
The festival of lights
Latkes on the plate
And presents numbering eight
I'm farputst for Hanukkah
Shalom and zay gezunt
Children spin the dreidel
While the grown-ups have a shtup
They tried to burn our temple down
But then we took it back
Judah and the Maccabees
The oil that had to last
The oil that burned for eight long days
We show with our menorah
To Antiochis we were slaves
What a moyshe kapoyer
Hanukkah means literally
Our proud rededication
So grab a seat and have a nosh
Enjoy the celebration!
I'm farputst for Hanukkah
Shalom and zay gezunt
Children spin the dreidel
While the grown-ups have a shtup
They tried to burn our temple down
But then we took it back
Judah and the Maccabees
The oil that had to last
Hey!
I'm farputst for Hanukkah
Shalom and zay gezunt
Children spin the dreidel
While the grown-ups have a shtup
They tried to burn our temple down
But then we took it back
Judah and the Maccabees
The oil that had to last
Hey!!
I'm farputst for Hanukkah
Shalom and zay gezunt
Children spin the dreidel
While the grown-ups have a shtup
They tried to burn our temple down
But then we took it back
Judah and the Maccabees
The oil that had to last
Oh
Judah and the Maccabees
The oil that had to last
The song "I'm Farputst for Hanukkah" by Keaton Simons is a fun and lively tribute to the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Simons reminisces on his childhood experiences during Hanukkah, particularly on the tradition of receiving eight gifts during the eight nights of Hanukkah. He also mentions the dreidel spinning game and the consumption of latkes, a potato pancake that is a staple food during the holiday. Simons also sings about the historical significance of Hanukkah, particularly the story of Judah and the Maccabees who fought against their oppressors and rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem. Simons proudly sings about the Jewish resilience and the celebration of their culture during the holiday season.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of fighting against oppression and reclaiming one's heritage. The line "They tried to burn our temple down, but then we took it back" refers to the historical event when the Syrian-Greek Empire had destroyed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The Maccabees, a Jewish rebel group, fought and reclaimed the Temple, leading to the story of the miraculous oil that lasted for eight days, hence the eight nights of Hanukkah candles. Simons celebrates this moment in Jewish history and acknowledges the perseverance of his people in reclaiming their culture and traditions.
Overall, "I'm Farputst for Hanukkah" is a festive and upbeat song that celebrates both the cultural and historical significance of Hanukkah. Keaton Simons sings about growing up Jewish and the joy of celebrating Hanukkah with family and friends. The song also acknowledges the challenges Jews have faced throughout history, and the importance of fighting against oppression and reclaiming one's heritage.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was a young Jewish boy
Keaton Simons is reminiscing about his childhood as a young Jewish boy
I had a shay getz cousin
Keaton had a cheeky cousin who would always ask questions
Who asked me why on Hanukkah
His cousin asked him a question related to Hanukkah
Of gifts I get a dozen
His cousin questioned why Keaton got so many gifts during Hanukkah
Although he was a kibitzer
Even though his cousin was a person who offers unwanted advice, Keaton still appreciated his humor
He wore a worried face
Keaton's cousin seemed to be concerned about something related to Hanukkah
I said, hey I'm no big shot here
Keaton humbly replied that he isn't very important and doesn't get a lot of gifts
I only get but eight
He only received eight gifts since Hanukkah is an eight-day festival
One for every night
Keaton got one present for each night of Hanukkah
The festival of lights
Hanukkah is known as the Festival of Lights
Latkes on the plate
Latkes, or potato pancakes, are traditionally eaten during Hanukkah
And presents numbering eight
Keaton received eight presents, one for each night of Hanukkah
I'm farputst for Hanukkah
Keaton is excited about Hanukkah and loves celebrating it
Shalom and zay gezunt
Keaton greets his listeners with Hebrew expressions 'Shalom' (peace) and 'Zay Gezunt' (be well)
Children spin the dreidel
Children play with the dreidel, a four-sided spinning top during Hanukkah
While the grown-ups have a shtup
The adults engage in activities other than dreidel, like socializing or intimate relations
They tried to burn our temple down
Refers to the desecration of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Seleucid Empire, which led to the Maccabean Revolt
But then we took it back
The Maccabees recaptured the temple and rededicated it
Judah and the Maccabees
Refers to the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in 167 BCE
The oil that had to last
The miracle of the oil in which a small amount of oil used to light the menorah in the temple lasted eight days
We show with our menorah
A menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum used during Hanukkah to symbolize the miracle of the oil
To Antiochis we were slaves
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the ruler of the Seleucid Empire, forced Hellenistic culture on Jews and forbade Jewish religious practices
What a moyshe kapoyer
Yiddish expression meaning what a foolish person
Hanukkah means literally
Keaton explains the literal meaning of the word Hanukkah, which means 'dedication'
Our proud rededication
The rededication of the Second Temple by the Maccabees is a source of pride for Jewish people
So grab a seat and have a nosh
Keaton invites his listeners to sit down and enjoy a small snack, 'nosh' is Yiddish for a little snack
Enjoy the celebration!
Keaton encourages everyone to enjoy Hanukkah and the celebrations associated with it
Oh
An interjection expressing excitement or surprise
Hey!
A shout of excitement or encouragement
Contributed by Caleb W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.