By Chris Barrymore
St. Louis Blues, William Handy (1914) - This popular American song has been performed by numerous artists, such as Guy Lombardo, Glenn Miller, and the Boston Pops Orchestra. The Bessie Smith/Louis Armstrong version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1993, while the version by Armstrong and his orchestra was inducted in 2008. And of course, the actual NHL team was named after the song. And I'm not even kidding.
Nashville Rebel, Waylon Jennings (from Nashville Rebel, 1966) - The late singer actually had two songs on this record name dropping Nashville, the other being Nashville Bum. Personally, I think Nashville Rebels would be a better name than Nashville Predators. Maybe the name “Rebels” has too many negative connotations, but how many wildlife predators are actually lurking within the city of Nashville?
Carolina in My Mind, James Taylor (from James Taylor, 1968) - So, Carolina isn’t exactly a city. It’s not even a state without a North or a South attached. But if the NHL can cheat in its attempt to regionalize its marketing campaigns for the southeast, then I can cheat and include it here. And why do the Florida Panthers get to claim the entire Sunshine State when the Tampa Bay Lightning also play within the same state borders. No wonder the Lightning hate the Panthers so much. And then you have the Minnesota Wild and the Colorado Avalanche, who are doubly cheating by not only using their home state instead of a city, but also using a non plural team name. Makes me sick. What’s next, the Winnipeg Windchill? How about the Quebec Electricity?
L.A. Woman, The Doors (from L.A. Woman, 1971) - This is the final record that Jim Morrison recorded before his still mysterious and debated death in a Paris hotel room’s bathtub. Morrison was also called The Lizard King. Lizard King. Los Angeles Kings. Need I say more?
Jesus Just Left Chicago, ZZ Top (from Tres Hombres, 1973) - And if the Blackhawks keep playing like they have been, then Jesus will be carrying the NHL’s Holy Grail, The Stanley Cup, with him on his way out of town. The Hawks currently sit in 11th place, 4 points out of the 8th seed.
Philadelphia Freedom, Elton John (single release, 1975) - Eventually reaching #1 on the music charts in several countries, this song is actually inspired by the Philadelphia Freedoms tennis team. However, numerous hockey references are available if you’re willing to swallow the red pill and see the world in its true light. The Philadelphia Flyers were founded in 1967. The songwriting partnership of Elton John and Bernie Taupin was founded in 1967. Philadelphia Freedom came out in 1975. The Flyers won the Stanley Cup in 1975. Besides all that, PF are the initials of both the song and the team. Mind = blown.
Detroit Rock City, KISS (from Destroyer, 1976) - With one of the best home ice records in the league over the past couple of decades, the Red Wings often rock their opponents. Corny, I know, but true. Besides, I don’t see anyone else trying these lists, so shut up. A connection could also be made by pointing out that KISS is one of music’s top merchandisers, with everything from coffee to condoms to coffins, while the Red Wings are one of the league’s leaders in merchandise sales. Although I doubt we’ll see Red Wings condoms or coffins anytime soon.
New York State of Mind, Billy Joel (from Turnstiles, 1976) - There are a couple of interesting things about this one. The running time is 5 minutes 58 seconds. That is also the over/under on how long it will take for the first player ejection when the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins meet again on April 8, 2011. And 1976 is also the over/under on penalty minutes for that same game. I can’t wait to see Mario Lemieux in the front row in Uniondale, banging on the glass, cheering on his Penguins.
Buffalo Stance, Neneh Cherry (from Raw Like Sushi, 1988) - Neneh Cherry (no relation to Don Cherry, or Cherry Blasts for that matter) offered this tune on her debut record in the late 80s. She would achieve international success with this record and song, before fading into pop culture history like so many others. Some inside sources have said this was originally titled “Bison Stance” but was changed at the very last minute. Whew - close one!
Our Love is as Tall as the Calgary Tower, Woodpigeon (from Die Stadt Muzikanten, 2010) - No hockey related list would be complete without at least one Canadian inclusion. I know nothing about this band, or if they are any good. But by including an NHL city in one of their song titles, they’re in. Congrats, Woodpigeon.
