Israelism

"Israelism" is a song recorded by Swedish group Army of Lovers and released in 1993 as the first single from their third album, The Gods of Earth and Heaven. The single was a Top 10 hit in Belgium, Finland, Israel and Sweden.

"Israelism"
Single by Army of Lovers
from the album The Gods of Earth and Heaven
B-side	"Israelism" (Dub Version)
Released	March 1993
Genre	Dance disco eurodance
Length	3:20
Label	Polydor Records Stockholm Records
Songwriter(s)	Alexander Bard Anders Wollbeck Jean-Pierre Barda Michaela de la Cour Dominika Peczynski
Producer(s)	Alexander Bard Anders Wollbeck Per Adebratt
Army of Lovers singles chronology
"Obsession" (1992) "Israelism" (1993) "La Plage de Saint Tropez" (1993)
Music video
"Israelism" on YouTube

Release

"Israelism" was released in March 1993. It combines the Jewish folk song "Hevenu Shalom Aleichem" with eurodance-beats and also includes additional lyrics written by Alexander Bard, Anders Wollbeck, Jean-Pierre Barda, Michaela de la Cour and Dominika Peczynski.

When released, "Israelism" was presented like this:

"Israelism", the first single from the forthcoming album "The Gods Of Earth And Heaven" incorporates elements from five traditional Jewish folk hymns in an updated arrangement. "Israelism" is intended as an anthem for young people around the world, proving there is much pride and joy to be found in Jewish lifestyle. The song should be seen as a powerful statement against racism and bigotry in Europe today.[1]

Critical reception

Swedish newspaper Göteborgsposten stated in their review of The Gods of Earth and Heaven, that the song "with its controversial tribute to Jewish culture, is yet another hit."[2]

Chart performance

"Israelism" was a major hit in several European countries and remains one of the band's biggest hits to date. In their native Sweden, the song charted for 4 weeks and peaked at number 10. It was also a Top 10 hit in Belgium and Finland, and a Top 40 hit in Germany and Switzerland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, the single peaked at number 48 in May 1993. It didn't chart on the UK Singles Chart in the UK. Outside Europe, "Israelism" was a Top 10 hit in Israel.

Music video

The music video of "Israelism" was directed by Swedish director Fredrik Boklund.[3] He also directed the other music videos for Army of Lovers.

Single track listing

7" single

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Israelism"	3:20
2.	"Israelism" (Dub Version)	3:13

12" maxi-single

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Israelism" (Radio Edit)	3:20
2.	"Israelism" (Goldcalfhorahhorror Mix)	6:54
3.	"Israelism" (Kibbutznikblitzkrieg Mix)	6:32
4.	"Israelism" (Très Camp David Mix)	3:13

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1993) Peak position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[4] 9 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[5] 48 Finland (IFPI)[6] 9 Germany (Official German Charts)[7] 32 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[8] 10 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[9] 31

Year-end charts Chart (1993) Position Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[10] 82

References

1. "Army Of Lovers - Israelism" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10 no. 18. 1 May 1993. p. 9. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
2. "ARMY OF LOVERS The Gods Of Earth And Heaven". Göteborgsposten. 28 April 1993.
3. "Army of Lovers: Israelism (1993)". IMDb. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
4. "Ultratop.be – Army of Lovers – Israelism" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
5. "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10 no. 18. 1 May 1993. p. 23. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
6. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10 no. 18. 1 May 1993. p. 24. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
7. "Offiziellecharts.de – Army of Lovers – Israelism". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
8. "Swedishcharts.com – Army of Lovers – Israelism". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
9. "Swisscharts.com – Army of Lovers – Israelism". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
10. "Jaaroverzichten 1993" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 28 November 2019.