Oftentimes people come to the PNC Center and I overhear comments about the in-game experience including the music. They aren’t always flattering. Granted these comments are often from people like the Canadiens fans that sat behind us at the last home game of the season who began complaining before the anthems even started and stayed to boo Eric Staal in the post-game interview. Now that’s dedication to being insufferable. (They were overachievers.)
But the more hockey I watch the more I am perplexed by comments about the tunes. Granted some teams have their own signature songs like New Jersey’s “Running With the Devil.” Nationwide Arena, home of the Columbus Blue Jackets, has a great DJ, Nick Johnson, who selects their music and even takes requests via Twitter. But for the most part, hockey arenas and all sports arenas for that matter play the same music.
While it would be more constructive to tell you the songs I wish I would hear, I think it would be better to torture your ears just like mine and give you Songs I Never Want to Hear in a Hockey Arena Again.
Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N’ Roses
This song is usually played before a face-off in the 3rd period here in Raleigh or for overtime. It’s the musical clue that we’re near the end of the game and things are very tense! For me this song brings back memories of high school, which looked more like Freaks and Geeks than Happy Days. Aside from their cover of “Live and Let Die” I pretty much despise Guns N’ Roses. I would prefer to skip the high school time machine, and my life is more than complete without the presence of Axl Rose
Cotton-Eye Joe – Rednex
Back in 1994 the Swedish techno/country band Rednex released a pox on humanity by recording a very special version of the classic country and bluegrass song “Cotton-Eye Joe” (also known as “Cotton-Eyed Joe”). There are so many things wrong with that sentence; I don’t even know where to start. According to Wikipedia, Rednex is very popular in Germany. I think that pretty much covers it. If you wish to scrub your ears of that nonsense, here is a proper version of the song that is played during the 7th inning stretch at Texas Rangers games.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GppFf7Av9jY
Come on Feel the Noize – Quiet Riot
Yes readers, I realize I did not spell the name of that song correctly. While I am usually a stickler for details, I prefer to go with a PG-13 spelling. While legendary guitarist Randy Rhoads founded this band, all I think of is the 80’s incarnation and the voice of Kevin DuBrow. His voice does not give my ears pleasure. I can say with 100% confidence that I never want to hear this song again as long as I live.
Sandstorm – Darude
Sandstorm is a techno song recorded by a Finnish fellow, Ville Virtanen, who goes by the stage name Darude. While I love most things Finnish, this song does not qualify. It’s a type of music known by the young people as “trance.” To me it is the type of music that you play when you want someone to quickly give himself up in a hostage situation. It’s also played heavily in Rogers Arena by the Vancouver Canucks. Only Canucks fans like the Canucks.
While I could go on for days, I think this is enough musical torture for now. I will however, leave you Rebecca Roudman‘s really creative version of an overplayed 80’s hair metal song. But you’ll like this one. I promise.
Have any arena songs that make you crazy? (Save the Nickelback jokes please.) Leave us a comment!
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