Candle-Lighting Song Ideas for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah

The candle-lighting ceremony is one of the most personal parts of a bar or bat mitzvah party. Each candle honors someone important, and each gets its own short song. Here are ideas we share with families, grouped by who's being honored.

Grandparents

• "What a Wonderful World" — Louis Armstrong
• "Stand by Me" — Ben E. King
• "Unforgettable" — Nat King Cole

Parents

• "My Girl" — The Temptations
• "Just the Way You Are" — Billy Joel
• "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" — Stevie Wonder

Siblings

• "Lean on Me" — Bill Withers
• "We Are Family" — Sister Sledge
• "Count on Me" — Bruno Mars

Aunts, uncles and cousins

• "Celebration" — Kool & the Gang
• "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" — Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
• "Good as Hell" — Lizzo

Friends from school or camp

• "You've Got a Friend in Me" — Randy Newman
• "Best Day of My Life" — American Authors
• "Shut Up and Dance" — Walk the Moon

A memorial candle

Many families light a candle for loved ones who are no longer here. A gentle instrumental or a song that person loved works beautifully. We fade the room music down and keep the announcement simple.

Tips for a smooth ceremony

1. Send the list early, with names, how to pronounce them and one song each.
2. Keep the poems short. Two lines per honoree keeps the ceremony around 15 minutes.
3. Group people who can come up together, like all the cousins.
4. Save the best friends for last, then go straight into the teen dance set.

As your bar or bat mitzvah DJ and MC, DJ Lady T cues every song and announces each honoree clearly. See the full sample party timeline or learn more about our bar and bat mitzvah DJ services.

Frequently asked questions