(This article was originally published on Jul. 16, 2020.)
The goal song: a quick 30 second, crowd energizing response to the home team scoring; often loud and intimidating to the visiting team with the sole purpose of intimidation and crushing their spirit, first and foremost.
There are often two different, dueling schools of thought when it comes to a team’s goal music selection.
Teams have been revisiting, borrowing, and recycling other organizations’ classic goal songs for years now. Last season, the Coquitlam Express and Cowichan Valley Capitals both paid homage to the epic hockey movie Slapshot, and the Toronto Maple Leafs of the past with their selection of Maxine Nightingale’s disco classic, “Right Back Where We Started From”.
Some other recycled classics include:
- “Hey Baby” by DJ Otzi, which was used by the Langley Rivermen last season and Team Canada’s designated goal music at the 2018 World Junior Hockey Championship tournament in Buffalo, New York.
- “Let Me Clear My Throat” by DJ Kool, used by the Powell River Kings last season, and several other BCHL teams in the past including the Express.
- “Maria (I Love it Loud)” by Scooter, which was used by the Express up to a couple of seasons ago and more famously by the Philadelphia Flyers.
One would be remiss in not mentioning, “Rock and Roll Part 2” by Gary Glitter. It was used for years by the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins among others.
Other teams prefer to go out on their own and utilize tracks unique to them:
- “What’s Up Suckaz” by TJR was used in Coquitlam during the 2018-19 season.
- “Rave” by Steve Aoki was used in Chilliwack last season.
- “This Girl” by Kungs vs. Cookin’ on 3 Burners was used by the Victoria Grizzlies last season.
- “Chelsea Dagger” by The Fratellis is a staple at the United Center where the Chicago Blackhawks play and has been the bane of the Canucks and their fans for years.
Individual vs. team-based goal music
The Surrey Eagles took their goal music selection a bit further last season, where every player had his very own goal music played over the Nest’s sound system. The Canucks and several other NHL clubs have done this in the past as well.
Similarly in Major League Baseball, certain players have certain songs played while they are walking from the on-deck circle to the batter’s box. Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves was noted for the playing of “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne for each and every home at bat.
Many argue that hockey is a team game, and goals are scored as a result of a team effort, while others have no issues with the player specific goal celebration music.
From a professional point of view, I have always preferred the former, due mostly to technology challenges and sightlines in various buildings. However, a professional DJ should be flexible enough to transition to either method of goal song distribution.
Be it a rehashed, recycled old school oldie, a brand new, never used before top 40 dance vibe, team-based, or an individual selection, which goal music is going to be featured in your home arena this upcoming season?
Once we are allowed to attend games in person, it will be fun to see which songs the 18 BCHL teams dust off when they score a goal during the 2020-21 season.
