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Behind the Lyrics: כמה טוב שבאת הביתה

Take a closer look at a classic Israeli song, uncovering the story behind it and the meaning hidden in its lyrics.
Abigail Zamir
|
3 min read
ארכיון דן הדני, האוסף הלאומי לתצלומים על שם משפחת פריצקר, הספרייה הלאומית Dan Hadani Collection, The Pritzker Family National Photography Collection, The National Library of Israel

Follow The Sound: Hebrew Onomatopoeia

Have you ever heard the term onomatopoeia? Despite its intimidating sound, it’s actually quite fun.
Daniella Tourgeman
|
2 min read
Follow the sound

13 Israeli Songs for All Types of Music Lovers

Jessica Bloomfield Kitchens
|
1 min read
man listening to music on headphones
ארכיון דן הדני, האוסף הלאומי לתצלומים על שם משפחת פריצקר, הספרייה הלאומית Dan Hadani Collection, The Pritzker Family National Photography Collection, The National Library of Israel

Behind the Lyrics: כמה טוב שבאת הביתה

Abigail Zamir
|
3 min read
Take a closer look at a classic Israeli song, uncovering the story behind it and the meaning hidden in its lyrics.

Follow The Sound: Hebrew Onomatopoeia

Daniella Tourgeman
|
2 min read
Have you ever heard the term onomatopoeia? Despite its intimidating sound, it’s actually quite fun.
man listening to music on headphones

13 Israeli Songs for All Types of Music Lovers

Jessica Bloomfield Kitchens
|
1 min read

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Hebrew Nugget:

Behind the Lyrics: כמה טוב שבאת הביתה

ארכיון דן הדני, האוסף הלאומי לתצלומים על שם משפחת פריצקר, הספרייה הלאומית Dan Hadani Collection, The Pritzker Family National Photography Collection, The National Library of Israel
Arik Einstein (1939-2013) was one of the most beloved Israeli musicians and singers of all time. Born in Tel Aviv as the only child of Deborah and Jacob (an actor at “Ohel Theater”), Einstein began his career as a promising athlete ספורטאי (spohr-tah-yee), playing basketball for “Hapoel Tel Aviv B. C.” and setting a junior record for high jump at seventeen. As he approached his draft date, Einstein aimed to become a military fitness instructor, but was rejected due to poor eyesight. His father urged him to audition instead for an “army entertainment troupe” להקה צבאית (leh-hah-kah tsvah-eet), and after several auditions, he was accepted into the Nahal Brigade band. Thanks to Jacob Einstein’s wisdom (who knows what would have happened if he hadn’t pushed his son), Arik Einstein’s words and voice are woven into the fabric of Israeli culture.  Throughout his long career spanning over five decades, Arik Einstein recorded over 500 songs and released 34 studio albums (solo and in collaboration with other artists). Despite his fame and numerous accolades, he was considered one of the most humble and modest performers in the music industry. After performing in front of live audiences for about two decades (1959-1981), Einstein was overcome by his shyness ביישנות (bahy-shah-noot) and abruptly stopped performing altogether. In a rare TV interview, he admitted that performing in front of large crowds קהל (kah-hahl) was difficult for him, and in order to overcome that anxiety חרדה (chah-rah-dah) he had to drink before shows. In the studio, however, he blossomed. In a series of conversations with the poet Eli Mohar, he said, “The problem is that this profession has its minefields: success comes with fame and a form of adoration, and I really don’t get along with that. That’s where I draw the line. It’s nice to be loved, but not more than that.” The song כמה טוב שבאת הביתה which translates as “It’s so good to have you home”, was written by songwriter Yankele Rotblit and composed by Shalom Hanoch – two artists אומנים (oh-mah-neem) who worked closely with Arik Einstein over the years. The song debuted in 1971 as part of Einstein’s eighth solo album “Jasmine”, and immediately reached fifth place on the weekly chart of Israel’s national radio station. Rotblit wrote this song שיר (sheer) after the return of his dear friend – Shalom Hanoch – from an extended stay in London: כמה טוב שבאת הביתה, אריק איינשטיין Originally, the song depicted a private and intimate moment between old friends, but it quickly became universal—touching on a nerve that is common to all Israelis. In a country such as ours, where most sons and daughters serve in the military, parents will always be waiting for their children to come back home. For this reason, nowadays, the song evokes feelings of happiness and relief together with sadness and worry, conflicting emotions that every Israeli can relate to. The song gained even more popularity after the return of the hostage Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped in 2006 and was released five years later in 2011. The warm guitars that play in the background of this song give it an overall feel of optimism and hope, flattering Arik Einstein’s beautiful baritone voice that is both powerful and simple. More than fifty years after it was first released, “כמה טוב שבאת הביתה” is still in many people’s mind, one of the best songs written in Hebrew.