Music is an integral part of the hockey experience at NHL games. The songs are meant to pump up the crowd before games (“‘Till I Collapse” by Eminem); get the crowd into it during the game (“Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses); and even tell a story (“Ridin The Storm Out” by R.E.O. Speedwagon). In some circles it has become a sort of game to see what team plays what and what they should play.
Drake's "Big Rings" playing during warmups. That's something the #Blackhawks should play, if they want to lord their success over others…
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) December 23, 2015
All this music got me thinking. Yes it hurts. Anyway, I decided it would be fun to list a few songs that you won’t likely hear for certain teams, but probably should be played. This list is nowhere comprehensive. Rather, it is meant to encourage friendly banter. Today I start with the Western Conference in order of the standings from worst to first.
Anaheim Ducks – “Road to Nowhere” by the Talking Heads; “Catch My Fall” by Billy Idol; “Fadeaway” by The BoDeans.
Edmonton Oilers – “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2; “Livin’ in the Future” by Bruce Springsteen; “Heroes” by David Bowie.
Winnipeg Jets – “Surrender” by Cheap Trick; “Lost!” by Coldplay; “Hold On” by Alabama Shakes.
Calgary Flames – “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen; “Destination Unknown” by Missing Persons; “Better Days” by the Goo Goo Dolls.
Arizona Coyotes – “Pretty Vegas” by INXS; “Run Like Hell” by Pink Floyd; “Learning to Fly” by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Vancouver Canucks – “Burn it to the Ground” by Nickleback; “Let’s See Action” by The Who; “Not Meant to Be” by Theory of a Deadman.
Colorado Avalanche – “Fooling Yourself” by Styx; “Dream On” by Aerosmith; “You Don’t Belong” by Daughtry.
San Jose Sharks – “Something Ain’t Right” by David Byrne; “Time Spent in Los Angeles” by Dawes; “Calamity Song” by the Decembrists.
Nashville Predators – “Summer Time Blues” by The Who; “Fake It” by Seether; “Get Over It” by The Eagles.
Los Angeles Kings – “A Farewell to Kings” by Rush; “Head Games” by Foreigner; “American Idiot” by Green Day.
Minnesota Wild – “Demons” by Imagine Dragons; “Numb” by Linkin Park; “Crumblin’ Down” by John Mellencamp.
Chicago Blackhawks – “Who Made Who” by AC/DC; “All These Things That I’ve Done” by the Killers; “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” by Meatloaf.
St. Louis Blues – “The Dead Heart” by Midnight Oil; “Kickstart My Heart” by Motley Crue; “Shattered” by The Rolling Stones.
Dallas Stars – “Is This It” by the Strokes; “Right Now” by Van Halen; “Who Are You” by The Who.
So there you have it NHL music fans. The Western Conference standings set to music. I have no doubt there are several other excellent suggestions. Let’s see what you have got for me. Tweet me at @HawksStrength or add your suggestions (be kind please) below.
Coming up next, the Eastern Conference – no doubt with songs from The Pretenders (oh my).
Rick is fortunate to live off the I-90 hockey corridor where both his beloved Chicago Blackhawks and Rockford IceHogs (aka Baby Hawks) call home. Hockey has been in his blood since the early 1970’s when he saw his first Blackhawks game at the “Old Barn”. His favorite player is Keith Magnuson followed closely by Bobby Hull (old school!). When not covering the greatest sport, he enjoys watching live music and has even been known to join his beloved bands on stage for a song or two. Follow Rick on Twitter via @HawksStrength
