Hockey Rock!: A Guide to Game Music (Part 1)

Music can make all the difference for players and fans alike during a hockey game game. Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

Whether it’s NHL, AHL or OHL, in Pittsburgh, Vancouver or Tampa Bay, nearly every hockey game has one thing in common: music, and not just any music. From organ tunes to classic songs, team-themed beats and popular hits today, the music played at hockey games is extremely important. For the players, it can pump them up for the game at hand; for fans, it’s an essential part of the experience. So – why not take that home?

Over the past five or six years, I’ve been collecting songs and putting them together in my iTunes under something I can only call ‘Hockey Rock.’ Some are songs I’ve heard at games; others come from Youtube videos meant to inspire, while still others are themes from Hockey Night in Canada videos or even songs written about the sport itself.

As of right now, there’s 199 songs in that iTunes collection. In the first of this two-part piece, I’m going to highlight some of the selections (and provide Youtube links) so all hockey fans and players can take a piece of the game home (or to work, or on the road, or in the shower) with them at all times.

1. 300 Violin Orchestra, Jorge Quintero: This one came from a Buffalo Sabres intro video from this past season, but perhaps fans of any team can get into it.

2. The Boys Are Back in Town, Thin Lizzy: What better way to ring in October?

3. Eye of the Tiger, Survivor: Does this even need an explanation? It’s a powerhouse song.

4. Helmethead, Great Big Sea: Even if GBS isn’t your style of music, how much better can it get than a song that is actually written about hockey players? “I was just seventeen when I made the AHL…..”

5. Everybody Dance Now, C&C Music Factory: An arena favorite.

6. Gold Medal Winning Chant, Team USA 2010 WJC: The video for this seems to restart at around 26 seconds, but it’s the best version on Youtube. If you’re not a Team USA fan…. sorry!

7. The Chance May Never Come Again, CBC: From the late ’90s and early ’00s, this song was a classic in CBC montage videos. I still get chills listening to it, especially around playoffs/SCF time.

8. A New Game: Now, I know this says it’s an NFL song, but I’ve certainly heard it at NHL games.

9. Here Come the Hawks, Chicago Blackhawks: Classic team song.

10. Saturday Night’s Alright (for Fighting), Nickelback: CBC and Hockey Night in Canada use this.

11. Overture/Hannibal, Andrew Lloyd Webber: This ‘Phantom of the Opera’ song (link is film version) has been played at arenas around the league and is a great penalty box song, particularly the beginning minute.

12. Game Day, A Parody of ‘Friday’: This is a Canucks-themed song and parody of Rebecca Black’s infamous song – one several that will show up on these playlists. Despite its original song, this one’s catchy… I shamelessly often find myself singing in it in the car during long road trips with friends.

13. Come on Feel the Noise, Quiet Riot: I don’t really have an explanation for this one, aside from the fact that I’ve heard it played at games on TV and it’s got a good beat to rock out to.

14. Good Old Hockey Game, Stompin’ Tom: If you don’t know this song… what are you waiting for?!?

15. The Final Countdown, Europe: This song can either be extremely saddening, or a great way to rub it in to the other team that hey – time’s running out in this game, and you’re about to lose. DO IT.

16. The Launch, DJ Jean: It may or may not sound familiar, but once you hit the chorus, you’ll realize you probably have heard this at least once in your hockey fandom-lifetime.

17. Oh Oh Oh Oh: I have no idea what the actual title to this song is – and apparently, neither does anyone else. First discovered through the Montreal Canadians’ splash page years ago, it took me months to track it down (due to lack of title/artist, like several other songs in the collection).

18. Machinehead, Bush: Titled by myself for the longest time as only ‘Hockey Fight Song,’ since that’s what the video I originally enjoyed that used this song was called, I finally discovered the legitimate title & artist of this song a year after. I’ve never heard it at games, but… maybe you have!

19. Zombie Nation, Kernkraft 400: I think you all know this one… or you should.

20. Crowd Chant, Joe Satriani: Over the years, several teams (including the Minnesota Wild) have used this as their goal song, for intro videos or other promotional materials. You know you love it.

21. Hells Bells, AC DC: This song was used in an introduction video for the Buffalo Sabres a few years ago. Since then – and I’m sure before then – it’s been used by other teams as well, including the N.J. Devils.

22. Sandstorm, Darude: Another classic techno song.

23. Organ Music: I’ve got a bunch of these in my iTunes collection, none of which have proper titles. So instead of trying to remake them for you, I’ll just share these links instead: one, two.

24. Empire State of Mind, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys: Mostly used by New York teams (of course).

25. Another One Bites the Dust, Queen: One of just a few by Queen that are considered hockey songs.

26. Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond: My memories of this song will always take me back to the 2008 Winter Classic in Orchard Park, NY. Because let’s face – nothing better than 71,000 people singing along.

27. Pittsburgh Penguins Drum Open: I can’t seem to recall – or locate – the original title or artist of this song either, but it’s one that they always played when the team came out at Mellon Arena and continue to play at Consol Energy Center on occasion.

28. History Will Be Made, Stereo Music: No title, no artist – but even without the visual of a video or commercial, this 20-or-so second clip always gives me chills up my spine.

29. You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet, Bachman Turner Overdrive: Grammar foul aside, this is a great song.

30. Raise a Little Hell, Trooper: Did you know they’re a Canadian band? Aww yeah. #winning.

31. Sharp Dressed Man, ZZ Top: Two words…. Patrick Sharp.

32. Living on a Prayer, Bon Jovi: Classic. C l a s s i c.

33. Fanfare for the Common Man, Aaron Copland: Don’t ask me why this is a great hockey song. It just IS. (Also, it was used in D2: The Mighty Ducks, making it instantly awesome.)

34. I Gotta Feeling, Black Eyed Peas: Yes, this is an extremely overplayed song, but it’s still being included in this playlist because it’s a common occurrence during hockey games. Don’t be ashamed.

35. Whoomp, There It Is, Tag Team: Another song from The Mighty Ducks movies. Just listen to this and think of the Stanley Cup. THERE IT IS!!!!! (Seriously. That makes it better).

Want more? Come back next week for part two.