The Hockey Song
Encyclopedia
"The Hockey Song" is a song written and originally performed by Canadian
folksinger Stompin' Tom Connors
.
The song first appeared on Connors' 1973 album, Stompin' Tom and the Hockey Song. However, the song did not reach its tremendous popularity until 1997. It was at this time that the song was played at Ottawa Senators
games. Pat Burns
, then coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs
, wanted to have it played in Toronto. Fans took a liking to the song and it spread throughout both Canadian and American NHL arenas.
, Bobby Clarke
, and Bobby Hull
. In the last verse Connors sings that it is the last game of the playoffs and the "Stanley Cup
is all filled up for the champs that win the drink". He later also sings "The puck is in, the home team wins!". In concert he may change "home team" to an actual team based on where he is playing.
In the song's chorus, Connors sings, "The good old hockey game is the best game you can name, and the best game you can name is the good old hockey game."
and The Hanson Brothers
. One such cover version was used in combination with Connors' recording as the theme song for the 1990s CTV
series, Power Play
, while another was used to open NHL broadcasts on CTV Sportsnet
in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
In 2004, the American comedy-talk show Late Night with Conan O'Brien
taped a week's worth of shows in Canada. During one of these telecasts, Connors, making one of the first American TV appearances of his entire career, was brought on to perform "The Hockey Song".
The song was played on the children's programme Jacob Two-Two
during an animated hockey match.
With the expiration of CBC Television
's licence of "The Hockey Theme
" for Hockey Night in Canada
, Connors has let it be known that he would be open to an appropriate licensing offer for his song as a replacement theme song. The song is also being used to promote EA Sports
' NHL 10
video game in commercials.
"The Hockey Song" was re-recorded in 2008 by Connors as the "new 2008 version" and was featured on his latest studio album, The Ballad of Stompin' Tom.
The song was also used in a TV spot for EA Sports' NHL 10
.
The song is used to introduce broadcaster Greg Brady
on the BBC Five Live radio show Fighting Talk
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
folksinger Stompin' Tom Connors
Stompin' Tom Connors
Charles Thomas "Stompin' Tom" Connors, OC is one of Canada's most prolific and well-known country and folk singers.He lives in Wellington County, Ontario.- Early life :...
.
The song first appeared on Connors' 1973 album, Stompin' Tom and the Hockey Song. However, the song did not reach its tremendous popularity until 1997. It was at this time that the song was played at Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
games. Pat Burns
Pat Burns
Patrick Burns was a National Hockey League head coach. Over 14 seasons between 1988 and 2004, he coached in 1,019 games with the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and New Jersey Devils...
, then coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, wanted to have it played in Toronto. Fans took a liking to the song and it spread throughout both Canadian and American NHL arenas.
Content
The verses of the song are split up so that each one describes a period of play in a typical hockey game. In the first verse Connors sings, "Someone roars, Bobby scores!". This was probably done because many popular players in the NHL at the time were named Bobby, namely Bobby OrrBobby Orr
Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr, OC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Orr played in the National Hockey League for his entire career, the first ten seasons with the Boston Bruins, joining the Chicago Black Hawks for two more. Orr is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest...
, Bobby Clarke
Bobby Clarke
Robert Earle Clarke, OC , better known as Bobby Clarke or, in later life, Bob Clarke, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played his entire National Hockey League career with the Philadelphia Flyers and is currently an executive with the team...
, and Bobby Hull
Bobby Hull
Robert Marvin "Bobby" Hull, OC is a former Canadian ice hockey player. He is regarded as one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time and perhaps the greatest left winger to ever play the game. Hull was famous for his blonde hair, blinding skating speed, and having the hardest shot, earning...
. In the last verse Connors sings that it is the last game of the playoffs and the "Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
is all filled up for the champs that win the drink". He later also sings "The puck is in, the home team wins!". In concert he may change "home team" to an actual team based on where he is playing.
In the song's chorus, Connors sings, "The good old hockey game is the best game you can name, and the best game you can name is the good old hockey game."
In popular culture
The song has been covered by many bands, including Corb Lund BandCorb Lund and the Hurtin' Albertans
Corb Lund and the Hurtin' Albertans are a Canadian country music band, formerly known as the Corb Lund Band.-Corb Lund:Corb Lund, the lead singer, grew up in Southern Alberta living on his family's farm and ranches near Taber, Cardston and Rosemary. He is proud of being an Albertan...
and The Hanson Brothers
The Hanson Brothers
The Hanson Brothers are a Canadian punk rock band based in Vancouver, British Columbia and led by John and Rob Wright and Tom Holliston, all members of the punk rock band Nomeansno....
. One such cover version was used in combination with Connors' recording as the theme song for the 1990s CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
series, Power Play
Power Play (TV series)
Power Play was a Canadian television drama series, which aired on CTV from 1998 to 2000. The series was filmed at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario....
, while another was used to open NHL broadcasts on CTV Sportsnet
NHL on CTV Sportsnet
NHL on CTV Sportsnet was CTV Sportsnet's broadcast of National Hockey League games. CTV Sportsnet held the national cable rights for NHL regular season and playoff games from 1998 to 2002. The broadcasts were sponsored by Labatt.-History:...
in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
In 2004, the American comedy-talk show Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC between 1993 and 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and comedy performances. Late Night aired weeknights at 12:37 am...
taped a week's worth of shows in Canada. During one of these telecasts, Connors, making one of the first American TV appearances of his entire career, was brought on to perform "The Hockey Song".
The song was played on the children's programme Jacob Two-Two
Jacob Two-Two
Jacob Two-Two is the central character in a series of children's books, Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang , Jacob Two-Two and the Dinosaur and Jacob Two-Two's First Spy Case written by Mordecai Richler, and Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas written by Cary Fagan.Jacob is the youngest child of...
during an animated hockey match.
With the expiration of CBC Television
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
's licence of "The Hockey Theme
The Hockey Theme
"The Hockey Theme" is a Canadian theme song written in 1968 by Dolores Claman and orchestrated by Jerry Toth. It has been referred to as Canada's second national anthem....
" for Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada is the branding used for CBC Sports' presentations of the National Hockey League...
, Connors has let it be known that he would be open to an appropriate licensing offer for his song as a replacement theme song. The song is also being used to promote EA Sports
Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...
' NHL 10
NHL 10
NHL 10 is a video game in the NHL series developed and released by EA Canada and published by EA Sports, and is the 19th game in the series. The game debuted at Hockey Fest '09, a three-day interactive festival celebrating the sport of hockey and the Los Angeles Kings, which took place in downtown...
video game in commercials.
"The Hockey Song" was re-recorded in 2008 by Connors as the "new 2008 version" and was featured on his latest studio album, The Ballad of Stompin' Tom.
The song was also used in a TV spot for EA Sports' NHL 10
NHL 10
NHL 10 is a video game in the NHL series developed and released by EA Canada and published by EA Sports, and is the 19th game in the series. The game debuted at Hockey Fest '09, a three-day interactive festival celebrating the sport of hockey and the Los Angeles Kings, which took place in downtown...
.
The song is used to introduce broadcaster Greg Brady
Greg Brady (broadcaster)
Greg Brady is a Canadian sports talk radio host on Sportsnet 590 The FAN, and is a regular pundit scheduled on the docket of BBC Five Live show Fighting Talk and holds the record for most wins on the show.-Biography:...
on the BBC Five Live radio show Fighting Talk
Fighting Talk
Fighting Talk is a topical sports show broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live during the English football season. Its first series aired in October 2003, and was presented by Johnny Vaughan. The second series featured Christian O'Connell. It is currently hosted by Colin Murray and is aired on Saturday...
.