List of songs in the NHL video game soundtracks

One of the most well known aspects of EA Sports' NHL series, are their soundtracks. NHL soundtracks has existed for as long as the video game series itself, but the soundtracks were first original compositions specifically made for the games. EA first introduced licensed music in NHL 96, with a 16-bit rendition of 2 Unlimited's 1991 single Get Ready for This. With more licensed tracks starting to appear starting with NHL 99, they would continue using original music throughout the 90's and early 2000's. Licensed tracks would eventually appear in the menus of the games themselves, but most tracks would still only play during gameplay. EA would completely ditch original music from the main soundtracks of NHL games starting with NHL 2004. And would make all songs in their respective soundtracks play in the menus, starting with NHL 06. Original tracks would eventually return, as licensed tracks would take a hiatus from playing in the menus on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of NHL 15 and 16. Licensed soundtracks would return in NHL 17, with the option to switch back to the original score used in NHL 15 and 16.

History[]

16-bit era (1991-1998)[]

The NHL soundtracks began alongside the game series itself. The soundtracks of the early Genesis and Super NES titles were composed by Rob Hubbard. Starting with NHL 94, the game now features authentic organ music for each of the teams. The organ music was performed by at the time San Jose Sharks organist Dieter Ruehle. The Sega CD version of NHL 94 introduced CD quality audio, and the music previously featured on the Genesis version was remade, performed by Michael J. Sokyrka. As well as Ruehle returning for to perform the remade organ music for the Sega CD version. The Genesis and SNES versions of NHL 96 would first introduce licensed music for the game. With 2 Unlimited's 1991-hit "Get Ready for This" remade using the Genesis and SNES sound fonts for each of the versions respectively. The Get Ready for This motif would reappear on the Genesis and SNES versions of NHL 97 and 98, as well as the PlayStation and Sega Saturn versions of NHL 97.

Instrumental era (1995-2003)[]

Succeeding the Sega CD version of NHL 94's use of CD quality music, musicians Jeff Van Dyck and Saki Kaskas would collaborate and make new original music for the PC version of NHL 96 and 97, while the PlayStation and Saturn versions of NHL 97 used a completely different soundtrack altogether from the PC version. They would return to make the soundtracks of NHL 98 and 99 as well, now with the console versions included. For NHL 2000, Jeff Van Dyck would no longer make music for the NHL series, and musician Rom Di Prisco would be making a lot of the instrumental tracks for NHL 2000, 2001 and 2002. Saki Kaskas would also return to make a few instrumental tracks for NHL 2001 and 2003.

This is also the era where licensed music starts to make their first appearances, but would only be used in other places rather than the menu soundtrack with some exceptions. David Bowie's 1977-hit "Heroes" would be used for the intro video of NHL 99, as well as Garbage's "Push It" for NHL 2000, and Collective Soul's "Heavy" for NHL 2001. A few but not many licensed artists would have their songs make it to the menu soundtrack as well. Such as Noise Therapy, Gearwhore, Rinôçérôse, Uberzone, and Templar.

Emo/pop punk era (2001-2009)[]

With the influence of EA executive Steve Schnur, starting with NHL 2002, the NHL series would start to go full swing with licensed music. And NHL 2004 being the first NHL game to have a soundtrack without original music, but having a share of its and NHL 2005's soundtrack only be heard during matches. NHL 06 would be the first game to have its complete soundtrack be available to listen to in the menus.

According to Schnur, he didn't want to make the soundtracks sound like what you hear in NHL venues. But instead went in a direction on what he thinks the future of hockey would sound like. The early NHL games with licensed music would go in a pop punk direction, featuring artists such as Gob, Sum 41, Jimmy Eat World, and Bowling For Soup. The later games in this era would then introduce more heavy music. Like heavy metal, featuring artists such as Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet For My Valentine, and Protest The Hero. And emo music, featuring artists such as Fall Out Boy, Paramore, and From First To Last.

Hard rock/sports anthems era (2009-2014)[]

While NHL 10 would still continue the emo and metal trend in some aspects, featuring artists such as Alexisonfire, CKY, and DragonForce. The NHL 10 soundtrack would start seeing bands and songs that came out many years before the game's release. Bands such as Megadeth with their 1986 single "Peace Sells", and Scorpions with their 1984 rock anthem "Rock You Like A Hurricane". This era would start seeing some more familiar bands to most hockey fans, and would contradict what Schnur set out to do with the NHL soundtracks. Iconic rock and metal bands/artists such as Anthrax, Billy Idol, Bush, Electric Light Orchestra, Green Day, Judas Priest, The Offspring, Pantera, Ramones, and Soundgarden all appearing in the NHL games during this era. And some familiar sports/hockey anthems also would see their debut in the NHL series during this era. Hits such as 2 Unlimited's "Twilight Zone", Black Box's "Strike It Up", Darude's "Sandstorm", Dropkick Murphys' "I'm Shipping Up To Boston", Europe's "The Final Countdown", Gary Glitter's "Rock And Roll Part 2", Joe Satriani's "Crowd Chant", Bassnectar's remix of Pennywise's "Bro Hymn", and Zombie Nation's "Kernkraft 400".

And this era is also known for its hard rock sound, with the next generation of hard rock bands such as Airbourne, The Black Keys, Black Veil Brides, Dropkick Murphys, Nickelback, and Shinedown also being heavily featured in these games. Many fans of the NHL video game community considers this era, as well as the emo/pop punk era to have the greatest NHL video game soundtracks of all time.

Mixed genre era (2014-2021)[]

With the move to the next generation consoles the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the NHL soundtracks went for a completely new direction starting with NHL 15. While the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of NHL 15 and 16 (released as NHL: Legacy Edition for those consoles) still had licensed music playing in the menus, the PS4 and Xbox One would use an original score composed by Joshua R. Mosley that plays for the menus instead. While the licensed soundtrack would only be heard during gameplay. EA would reverse this decision for NHL 17, reintroducing the licensed soundtrack playing in the menus, but the original menu score would still be an option in the volume options menu.

When EA and Schnur switched direction for the NHL soundtracks starting with NHL 15, and NHL 17 for PS4 and Xbox One players, they went for a more alternative and indie sounding playlist, plus introducing hip hop and EDM to the mix as well. Featuring artists such as Arkells, Bishop Briggs, Don Diablo, Fitz and the Tantrums, Grandson, Imagine Dragons, K.Flay, Nothing but Thieves, The Score, and Twenty One Pilots. While rock and punk still had somewhat of a prevalence during this era, with new artists such as Greta Van Fleet, PUP, Royal Blood, The Struts, and SWMRS, heavy metal music that made previous NHL soundtracks so iconic to so many fans was completely absent from this era, with one appearance from the metalcore band Motionless in White in NHL 20.

Because of this sudden change, the soundtracks from the NHL games released during this era was heavily criticized by fans. With many turning off the entire menu soundtrack altogether. Many voicing their complaints on various social media platforms of how the soundtracks aren't as good as they used to be. And others making YouTube videos of their soundtrack wishlist of songs they personally want to see in the soundtracks, with the soundtrack wishlists being often something that is completely the opposite of what NHL soundtracks were like at the time.

Modern era (2021-)[]

With the release of NHL 22 and the jump to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S generation, many fans noticed a big change in its soundtrack. As NHL 22 soundtrack's length was doubled from the usual average 20 songs from previous soundtrack, and NHL 22 takes a more modern punk direction, with artists such as jxdn, KennyHoopla, Machine Gun Kelly and Mod Sun. As well as making hard rock and alternative rock as well more prevalent. With bands such as Angels & Airwaves, Grouplove, Modest Mouse, Poorstacy, and Volbeat. With bands and artists from previous NHL soundtracks such as Arkells, Dropkick Murphys, Johnossi, and Royal Blood returning as well. Many fans of the NHL community considers the NHL 22 soundtrack to be the best NHL soundtrack in a long time.

The list[]

Here is the complete list of songs that are known to be in the NHL series, in release order of the games:

References[]

Every source are offline sources, and are from the credits of every entry in the NHL series.