Arik Einstein: The songs that shaped a nation

Israel's "Frank Sinatra" is responsible for some of the country's best-loved songs. Here is a look back at just a few of the best, including “Ani Ve’ata” and “Oof Gozal."

Shiru Shir / Arik Einstein (photo credit: courtesy)
Shiru Shir / Arik Einstein
(photo credit: courtesy)
Considered Israel’s most popular singer and songwriter, Arik Einstein, who died at Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv on Tuesday night at age 74, touched the hearts of millions with his iconic tunes.
His partnership with Shalom Hanoch created the first local rock albums. Perhaps Einstein's most famous song is “Ani Ve’ata” (Me and You), which is a simple tune that talks about changing the world.
Another of his most-loved songs is the iconic “Oof Gozal” (Fly, Little Bird), which deals with the issue of how parents deal with their children flying the nest.
Other popular songs include “Sa Le’at” (Drive Slowly) and "Atur Mitzchech Zahav Shachor" (Your Forehead is Decorated).
In 1966, he released the album, Shar Bishvilekh (Singing for You), and joined The High Windows, in which he performed popular songs such as "Yehezkel."

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Two years later, Einstein released the album Mazal Gdi (Capricorn), which was not very successful, but went on to produce the album Puzi with the Churchills, considered the first Israeli rock album.