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).