Damien Brunner lit the lamp for the first goal of the New Jersey Devils season. The horn blared, “The Rock” roared and then something different happened. The goal song.
Surely they must have been “Bruuuuu-ing” for Brunner right? Alas the Prudential Center crowd was not. The goal song that came on was by New Jersey’s very own Bon Jovi, called “This is our house.” Upon this realization the Devils Army, section 233 crazies and maybe even Tommy and Gina, weren’t having it and the boos rained down.
For those not aware or wondering why you would boo every time after your team scores because of a goal song, the way things have worked in recent years for the Devils is after a goal the team would play the “Rock and roll part 2” song by Gary Glitter. That would be convicted child molester Gary Glitter but hey when does that stop arenas from playing anything by Michael Jackson and his alleged transgressions but I digress. During the “Hey song,” Devils fans would chant, “Hey-you-suck!”
One can question the merits of chanting “hey-you-suck!” especially if you’re getting smoked on the scoreboard. Having said that, I also believe there can be a better compromise than having any Bon Jovi song after 1991.
So, what other options could there be and for the love of God why are we putting so much emphasis on a goal song?
Another Bon Jovi song:
Down 5-1 in the third period? Why not break out “Livin’ on a prayer?”
Bruce Springsteen:
Yes a somewhat cliche New Jersey option but how are you going to boo “The Boss?”
Van Halen or AC/DC:
Again a little cliche, be it “Runnin’ with the devil” or “Hells Bells.”
Player choice:
Much like a baseball player has individualized walk-up music before an at-bat, each player could have his own goal celebration music.
Organ music and or nothing:
What a novel concept and throwback option? You mean there was actually a time when the PA system didn’t need to have something blaring between every stoppage?
Team song:
This one always carries the risk of toeing that fine line of trying to create a team identity and sounding too corny.
In summary I believe a goal song should be something that gets the fans involved and identifies with the team and or the city. I also believe that’s what the Devils were going for with the Bon Jovi song. I’ll be the first guy to defend the originality of chants and cheers but regardless of whatever song gets chosen, fans ought to care more about applauding when their guy scores a goal.
speak of the devil by the misfits from lodi nj
It is hilarious that Devil’s fans chant “You suck!” when their team scores. Don’t they know the fans of the opposing team feel the same way? We too chant “You suck…for letting the Devils score!” They have so much to cheer about, they don’t have to be haters.
I was very disappointed when this stupid goal song came on. I want rock and roll part 2 back. I agree it is dumb to chant hey you suck when your getting blown out 5-1. Thats why when that happens I just stand up and clap I dont even say anything. This is our song and we want it back. I already emailed and spoke to the Devils fan experience team about this
Actually the Devils are the first team to use it.
The song “Rock and Roll, Pt. 2” (AKA “the Hey Song”) was first played in a sport setting at Rockies’ games in the late 1970s and was later played in most North American hockey games to celebrate home team scores for the better part of 25 years.
Source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1004585/2/index.htm
Doesn’t everyone know that Jon Bon Jovi is a FLYERS fan? He is from south Jersey…..bring back Rocka nd Roll Part 2 and instead, why not go after the people that do the stupid whistle,Rangers Suck, Flyers swallow! chant? That one is much harder to explain to a 7 year old who, when the Devils score, LOVES screaming YOU SUCK!!!!
Why does this team insist on continuing to take things away from fans when they are trying to get people to come to the games and enjoy themselves?
By the way – NJ is not the first, nor only home arena to use the You Suck chant….
How does the rest of that whistle chant go at the end? I forgot…
Bon Jovi is a lame ass band making bad 1980’s music in the 21st century. Couldn’t listen to their crap music with a straight face. Might as well play Kiss. A huge reason not to go to their games…no joke.
Who wrote this headline, a kid? “Should the New jersey Devils change their goal song?” THEY ALREADY DID! Should the New Jersey Devils keep their new goal song should be the main headline.
Yes, I’m well aware of the goal song change, hence the article. So now that they have a new goal song, should they change it again? Hope you made it past the headline and read the actual story, if so thanks for reading.