Choosing a Goal Song for the Winnipeg Jets

A few weeks ago we looked at the qualities of an intro song and its importance in setting the tone for the home team and the fans. This post is going to take a look at possibilities of songs to consider accompanying the goal horn.

Picture your favourite Jet skating in on a breakaway pulling the Gordon Bombay triple deke and scoring. The goal horn sounds, everybody cheers, claps and a song begins to play.

What song would be the best to accompany a goal horn? A goal horn works best when the song includes cheering, or clapping. No lyrics necessary, it has to be something uptempo that will induce the crowd to cheer and clap along.

One of the most famous goal songs, which was used by teams and appeared in many sports movies in the 90s was Gary Glitters – “Rock n’ Roll Part II”, which you may know better as the “hey” song. The build up and climax of saying “hey” invited everyone to cheer along and brought excitement to the crowd.  Surprisingly, even with Gary Glitters recent legal troubles, teams continue to use some variation of the song as a goal song. (It has been proven to be that good of a goal song)

Read more about goal songs after the jump

While visiting St. Paul, Minnesota a few years ago, I witnessed their goal horn of Joe Satriani’s “Crowd Chant”. A simple goal horn, with only a guitar, accompanied by a crowd chant (simple title, I know). There is something about the combination of the generic cheering, and clapping that gets everyone to join along.

Another classic goal horn is Blur’s song 2, again, better known to some as “woo hoo”. That tune has been rocking arenas since 1997. The Thrashers’ used this as their tune last year, as we have seen True North drop many of the Thrashers’ staff, we can expect them to drop the goal song as well.

While doing some research for this article, I stumbled upon Puck Daddy’s list of the Eastern Conference and Western Conference goal horns.

NHL Teams Using Common Goal Horns

Gary Glitter: Avalanche, Stars, Sharks, Predators,Devils, Lightning (6)

Joe Satriani: Wild, Coyotes (2)

Blur: Penguins, Thrashers (2)

Other songs not mentioned:

Pennywise – Bro Hymn: Ducks, Flyers (2)

Zombie Nation – KernKraft 400: Bruins, Panthers, Capitals (3)

There are two ways teams can go when choosing a goal horn. They can pick a generic goal song such as one listed above (the tried and true method). Or go a different direction with a new song to associate with your team scoring. Some teams even have songs written for them as a goal song.

It is also worth noting that some teams have specific goal songs for certain players, a particular favourite listed was Sammy Hagar’s “I Can’t Drive 55” for Niklas Kronwall. (He is number 55)

Picking a goal song isn’t easy, which is why the teams above have gone to the tried and true method.

I would have no issue with the songs above being selected as a goal song, a few other choices I have considered are:

• The Lonely Island – I’m On A Boat
• Kool & The Gang – Celebration
• 2Unlimited – Get Ready For This

I’m going to leave it to the commenters of Illegal Curve to give any suggestions they may have for Winnipeg Jets goal songs, or any player specific goal songs.

Additional reading:

Songs to Accompany an Air Horn (New York Times) (hat tip to Puck Daddy)