40 Bar and Bat Mitzvah Songs, from the Hora to the Grand Entrance

What song do they play at a bar mitzvah?

Every bar and bat mitzvah has "Hava Nagila" for the hora, when the bar or bat mitzvah and their parents are lifted on chairs. "Siman Tov u'Mazal Tov" is the traditional song of congratulations. For the grand entrance, "Can't Stop the Feeling!" by Justin Timberlake and "Believer" by Imagine Dragons are DJ favorites, and "Shout" by the Isley Brothers is the floor-filler every generation joins.

Traditional Jewish celebration songs

1. "Hava Nagila": the song for the hora and the chair lift.
2. "Siman Tov u'Mazal Tov": the song of congratulations.
3. "Hevenu Shalom Aleichem": a joyful greeting song.
4. "Od Yishama": a celebration song for the dance circle.
5. "Am Yisrael Chai": an anthem of joy and pride.
6. "Tzena, Tzena": an upbeat folk dance song.
7. "To Life (L'Chaim)", from Fiddler on the Roof: a toast set to music.
8. "Sunrise, Sunset", from Fiddler on the Roof: the parents' emotional moment.

Grand entrance songs

9. "Can't Stop the Feeling!", Justin Timberlake: the most-played entrance song.
10. "Believer", Imagine Dragons: big drums for a big entrance.
11. "24K Magic", Bruno Mars: confident and fun.
12. "Best Day of My Life", American Authors: says it in the title.
13. "Footloose", Kenny Loggins: an 80s classic for a dancing entrance.
14. "Eye of the Tiger", Survivor: for a sporty bar mitzvah.
15. "Thunderstruck", AC/DC: for a rock fan.
16. "Uptown Funk", Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars: guaranteed energy.

Dance floor songs

17. "Shout", the Isley Brothers: everyone gets low.
18. "Celebration", Kool & The Gang: the party classic.
19. "Stayin' Alive", Bee Gees: for the grandparents to show off.
20. "Cha Cha Slide", DJ Casper: the instructions are built in.
21. "Cupid Shuffle", Cupid: an easy line dance.
22. "Y.M.C.A.", Village People: arms in the air.
23. "I Gotta Feeling", Black Eyed Peas: the start of a great night.
24. "Shut Up and Dance", Walk the Moon: the floor-filler.
25. "Mr. Brightside", The Killers: the teen singalong.
26. "Sweet Caroline", Neil Diamond: the whole room shouts the chorus.

Candle lighting songs

27. "We Are Family", Sister Sledge: for the family candle.
28. "Lean on Me", Bill Withers: for the people who support you.
29. "You've Got a Friend in Me", Randy Newman: for the friends' candle.
30. "Count on Me", Bruno Mars: for the best friends.
31. "Thank You for Being a Friend", Andrew Gold: for family friends.
32. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell: for cousins who live far away.
33. "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)", The Judds: for the grandparents' candle.

Montage songs

34. "You'll Be in My Heart", Phil Collins: for the baby photos.
35. "Never Grow Up", Taylor Swift: for a bat mitzvah montage.
36. "Forever Young", Rod Stewart: a blessing for the years ahead.
37. "Brown Eyed Girl", Van Morrison: a cheerful classic for the middle of the slideshow.
38. "Seasons of Love", from Rent: a song about measuring a life in love.
39. "Unwritten", Natasha Bedingfield: the next chapter starts now.
40. "Slipping Through My Fingers", ABBA: for a parent watching a daughter grow up.

Bat mitzvah songs

Most of these songs work for a bat mitzvah too. For a girl's grand entrance, "Can't Stop the Feeling!", "Best Day of My Life" and "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" are popular, and for the montage, "Never Grow Up" and "Slipping Through My Fingers" bring the tears. Gift ideas are in our guide to bar and bat mitzvah gifts.

Rock and hip-hop bar mitzvah songs

For a rock fan, add "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi, "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey and "We Will Rock You" by Queen. For hip-hop, DJs lean on clean edits of party favorites like "Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis and "Hey Ya!" by OutKast. Always ask for radio edits: grandparents and thirteen-year-olds share this dance floor.

Hebrew songs for the celebration

Beyond "Hava Nagila", many families add Hebrew and Israeli songs to the dance circle: "Od Yishama", "Am Yisrael Chai", "Hevenu Shalom Aleichem" and modern Israeli pop. Ask the DJ or band for a ten-minute Jewish music set right after the hora, while the energy is highest.

Planning the music for the night

• Cocktail hour: soft background music while guests arrive.
• Grand entrance: one big song, cued to the moment the doors open.
• Hora: "Hava Nagila" for at least five minutes, so everyone gets a turn on the chair.
• Candle lighting: a short clip of a song for each candle, 30 to 45 seconds each.
• Montage: three songs for about 150 photos.
• Dancing: mix the kids' current favorites with the classics for the adults.

Songs for the parent dance

Some families include a parent dance: "Sunrise, Sunset" is the traditional choice, and "Forever Young", "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts and "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack are popular modern ones.

A song written for the bar or bat mitzvah

A personalized song can be the surprise of the night: the bar or bat mitzvah's name, their Torah portion, their passions and the hopes of their family, played during the montage or the candle lighting. See our guide to a bar mitzvah song for a nephew and a bat mitzvah song for a granddaughter.

How to create a bar mitzvah song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: pop, rock, hip-hop, acoustic and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share their passions, a few funny stories and what the day means to the family.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Give them a song for the big day: create a song and hear four previews for free.