Whether for tradition, for fun during a TV timeout, or to serve as an energizer to the players on the ice and fans in the stands, music is a huge contributor to the atmosphere at a hockey game.
This is a list of the top 10 songs that always serve their purpose of pumping up the crowd when played during a hockey game.
10. The Star Spangled Banner- If you have ever attended a game at the Mellon Arena, you know that the "Let's Go Pens" cheer that is bellowed out in between "Land of the Free" and "Home of the Brave" is the perfect anecdote for anyone who is not yet ready for the game.
The tradition of playing the United States' national anthem before any sporting event reminds us how fortunate we are to be living in a country where entertainment includes attending sporting events rather than scavenging through dirty streets looking for a midnight snack.
9. The Canadian National Anthem- There is but one thing that I envy about Ottawa Senators fans. The fact that they get to hear Lyndon Slewidge sing "Oh, Canada" on a game-by-game basis should make all American fans feel a little deprived.
The anthem of the country from which hockey was born always pumps up the crowd before a big game. Whether you're Canadian, American, Russian, Czech, French, Swedish, Finnish, or of other origin, whether you're singing along off key in English or French, you have to have respect for this timeless classic which boasts "Oh, Canada, we stand on guard for thee!"
8. Crazy Train- Ozzy Osbourne- Crazy Train is usually played before the television broadcast returns from a commercial break while "MAKE SOME NOISE" flashes across the Jumbotron. This is one of those songs that you could hear while walking into an 8AM Biology class that just might make you drop your books and start jumping up and down.
7. Cotton Eye Joe- Rednex- Perhaps the most entertaining of the songs on the list, Cotton Eye Joe has evolved into a call for fans to just let loose. Whether you see that crazy college kid dancing in the aisle, or the 85-year old grandmother in front of you tapping her feet, Cotton Eye Joe always ensures that something crazy is about to happen.
6. Clubfoot- Kasabian- This song is relatively new to hockey arenas, but it should take off very quickly. The lyrics themselves are enough to make anyone want to lace up the skates and hit the ice to lay a solid shoulder check into the oppositions' star right winger.
"One, take control of me/ You're messing with the enemy" might be one of the most adrenaline rush inspiring lyrics that I have ever heard. The Penguins have just started using this song during games over the past two seasons, but it has become increasingly popular among the crowd at Mellon Arena.
5. Blitzkrieg Bop- Ramones- More commonly known as the "Hey, Ho, Let's Go" song, Blitzkrieg Bopis perfect for those "we desperately need a goal" moments. The classic "Hey, Ho, Let's Go" serves as the fans' basic call-to-arms for their team. A deaf connoisseur of punk rock observing fans slam dancing with complete strangers would likely guess that Blitzkrieg Bop is blaring over the loud speaker in the arena.
4. Welcome to the Jungle- Guns 'n Roses- The perfect pre-game intimidator of the opposition, Welcome to the Jungle is commonly played just before the puck is dropped for the opening faceoff. Hearing 20,000 fans screaming "I wanna watch you bleed" has to be intimidating for even the toughest of NHL players.
This song makes the fans, or the "jungle", feel like they have a very important role in the intimidation of the opposing team. The louder they get, the more intimidated the opponents will be. Though it very rarely serves as more than a crowd energizer, Welcome to the Jungle is the ultimate "this is our house" song.
3. Hells Bells- AC/DC- Hells Bells is rarely played long enough to hear Brian Johnson belt out the opening line of "I'm a rollin' thunder, pourin' rain", but the simple tolling of the bell is enough to evoke any crowds' dark side. Whether it's before a big power play or before the opening faceoff against your bitter rival, Hells Bells is the classic "we hope you're ready for us" song.
2. Kickstart My Heart- Motley Crue- The title itself lets you know what this song is all about. Vince Neil's piercing vocals combined with Nikki Syxx's raging guitar always get the crowd going. The fast pace, piercing vocals and pounding drum beat make Kickstart My Heart a perfect song to pump up any hockey crowd.
1. We Will Rock You- Queen- If you didn't know what song would be number one on this list, you might not have a pulse, and you most certainly have not attended a hockey game.
There will never be another front man quite like Freddie Mercury, just as there will never be another song quite like We Will Rock You. Hells Bells might be the ultimate "we hope you're ready for us" song, but We Will Rock You is the epitomy of a "we're about to kick your ass" song.
In the midst of the stomp-stomp-clap beat of the song, fans can almost picture their oppositions' star player with mud on his face, a big disgrace, while waiting for their own teams' enforcer to put him back into his place.
We Will Rock You is a timeless song that should be played at least once during every NHL game for the rest of time.
It makes you believe, it gets you hyped up, and it leaves you wanting more, that's why We Will Rock You is the number one song that gets the hockey crowd going.
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3 months ago
great article eric!!
if i may add my own opinion:
we will rock you should be lower, the two national anthems should be higher, and edmonton and philly should get credit for their anthems
edmonton for their crowd singing of oh canada
philly for their god bless america...nothing pumps the philly crowd more than that
from 3 months ago
all the canadian crowds sing along with the anthem, plus it is all the same anthem, thats why there's not 2 separate categories (1 for anthem, 1 for edmonton singing anthem)
and i could make a million jokes about "things that PUMP the philly crowd" more than that song... but i'll keep it clean and let you use your imagination.
Go Pens
3 months ago
Saturday Nights Alright for fighting is a good song for hockey. The Nickelback version needs some play at hockey games. Bro Hymn gets a Ducks crowd going nuts.
3 months ago
Ken- Bro Hymn as in Pennywise's Bro Hymn?
not that there's probably another Bro Hymn, but ya just never know
3 months ago
What pumps up a Pittsburgh crowd?
"I've been workin' on the railroad! All the live long dayyyyyy...."
from 3 months ago
Indeed Greg, I'll take the railroad tune over hearing RENT songs fill the flamboyant, to put it nicely, streets of NYC. Or maybe Marty Straka could play a little jingle with some drum sticks and a weight bar....
from 3 months ago
Yeah, Straka can play the drums and Crosby can be the singer. I hear he's got a high pitched voice, almost like a girl...
from 3 months ago
yo eric, don't you start gay bashing, cuz that's just not right. if ur gonna bitch about worthless crap such as yourself, at least stay on topic
3 months ago
Speaking as a true Flyers fan, nothing feels better than hearing the "wooohooo!" part of Blur's "Song 2" after a goal. THAT pumps me up.
3 months ago
Great List!
Another honorable mention: coming from The Joe in Detroit, it was fun hearing the fans sing along to Journey's Don't Stop Believin' during the playoffs, jumping in at the "South Detroit", "An-ee-where", and "Lone-ly Worldd" parts.
I loved it
3 months ago
Pantera-Walk
3 months ago
alright, so i suppose the shot at the Steel Industry was very pertinent to the topic. right.
on another note, Ryan, Pantera always gets the blood pumping
from 3 months ago
If you want to take shots at Philadelphia and New York, then I have the right to knock the Steel Indusry. All is fair in love and Beacher Report.
3 months ago
I graduated from highschool too long ago to argue over some "I said, you said" stuff. like i said before, if it bothers you, im not going to lose sleep over 2 less reads...
and Ian, the who-hoo's are always the most exciting goal celebrations.
Go Pens
from 3 months ago
Nothing bothers me, I'm just setting things straight.
3 months ago
Dude, dead on with that article...I hate that Cotton Eyed Joe song but everyone makes me dance to it. That's pretty sweet you kinda mentioned me in it, love reading your articles, because you my friend....are the man, lol. Ttyl buddy.
Also, how about Ryan Malone? Saw that one comin', huh.
from 3 months ago
Andrew- please tell me that you are the student-rushing foam-finger wearing dude i see on the jumbotron at basically every regular season game ive been to over the past few years? if so... well done, sir.
and yeah, the Malone situation isn't looking too promising... i'm thinking Edmonton but who knows
3 months ago
Right on Eric! Good read!
Blur - Song 2 for sure and when Hockey Night In Canada comes one - Nickelback's - Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting sometimes is alright.
3 months ago
Though it's fallen off, I still feel the urge to throw out an arm and add emphasis to "STARS" in the Star Spangled Banner.
Also, History of Rock 'n Roll part 2 should be number 1 on the list.
And for us here in Dallas, the Pantera theme for the Dallas Stars, though simple, is as rockin as it gets.
3 months ago
I absolutely hate the Toronto Maple Leafs (Go Sens), and it's bad enough that when I watch Hockey Night in Canada every Saturday it's always the Maple Laughs who play.
But the best song to pump up a team as they go onto the ice or after a goal is "Zombie Nation". Not too sure who the artist is, but check it up. You've all probably heard it before.
3 months ago
Eric you certainly got the conversation going...I have to say that for some excellent hockey music, check out Don Cherry's Hockey hits...I literally asked for this CD for christmas one year—I was a very cool kid, as you can tell.
That being said, I love Sandstorm, the one song where they splice in "Let's get ready to rumble" and whatever song it is that they play after the Leafs' goals.
And Mighty Ducks 1,2, and 3—the Soundtracks!
BT
3 months ago
Props tp ypu for recognizing the nest anthem signer in hockey, U.S. and Canadian, Lyndon Slewidge.
I'm convinced the reason the Sens lost to the Ducks in 2007 was the moronic decision to replace Slewidge with that hack Alanis Morrissette.
from 3 months ago
And jeers to me for no spell check, yikes.
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