How the Grinch Girl Stole Hanukkah
Tue., Dec. 9. 2014 9:44am EST
J. Jackson, lead singer/lyricist for APX here. I thought you might like to know how the songs came about for our latest single, "Grinch Girl/Hanukkah."
About two months ago, I was thinking it would be neat to do a Christmas single every year, as long as we didn't rehash old topics. About the same time, I was pondering doing a parody of "Rich Girl" by Hall & Oates. They seemed like unrelated thoughts.
Then, on October 16, the day before we left for Philly and Rhode Island, I got the idea to do "Grinch Girl," about the ultimate Christmas party pooper with all the excuses for not celebrating the season -- including commercialism and supposed pagan overtones.
Eight days later, I was at IKEA buying supplies for our kids' bedroom, when I heard Donna Summer's "Hot Stuff" in the background. I'd actually put that song on a "potential parody" playlist on my iPod several months earlier but didn't have any specific plans for it. Then the idea for "Hanukkah" hit me.
How ironic that it was eight days later, since Hanukkah is eight days long!
Although Hanukkah isn't in the Old Testament, Daniel did prophesy some of the events it commemorates, and Jesus preached in the temple during Hanukkah ("the Feast of Dedication") in John's Gospel. I think it's important for Christians to learn more about it. And it's another song we can share with Jewish friends.
From there, things came together quickly. I asked Keely about singing it, and she said she'd done it in bands before. I asked Todd about playing it, and he'd done it before, too. So had Jimmy.
The total time from first ideas through finished songs was 45 days! I think it's so cool how God put the songs on my heart and prepared the performers long before He gave me the ideas. I guess that makes sense; you don't install a lightbulb in a house unless you have everything wired up and ready to go!
If you still haven't heard the songs, they're available together as a download for a donation of any amount to the ministry of ApologetiX at:
http://apologetix.com/store/store.php#GrinchGirl
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