For the Lightning, a symphonic storm approaches

by John Fontana on Sep 19, 2011 11:17 AM EDT in Lightning Franchise news

There's a song that can always be associated with a time or a place for people. Sound can help us recollect, especially when we are moved in one way or another by what we hear. And, of course, music and sports can bring back the thrill of victory, or the heartache of a loss... That, or simply foster a musical association between a sport and a sound.

With all that said, it was reported today that the Tampa Bay Lightning are having a custom introduction piece of music recorded this week. The session musicians for this piece? The Florida Orchestra. Said CEO Tod Leiweke:

"We wanted some music that was emotional and stirring, something that excited the fans. This piece and the video that accompanies it will be about the beauty inherent in the bay area and the energy and power and speed of hockey, and it will lead to the player introductions. We think it's going to be cool."

Emotional, stirring, excitement, power... Great, good, I'm all for it. But can it be catchy?

Yes, I do mean catchy. It's a little tougher to achieve with a full orchestra... But that brings us back to the music-by-way-of-association that I talked about above. I think everyone can tie music - either pop music or team/station-commissioned theme music - into a team, or a certain time or place with a team.

The piece was composed by Gregory Smith, and is due to be recorded at Springs Theatre on Thursday.

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Comments

Obviously, you’ve never heard anything from Wagner. Or, at least, put the composer’s name to the piece. If you want to simulate a thunderstorm with music, a full orchestra is the only way to go. Although, it couldn’t hurt to add in some electric guitar with them as well – as the Trans-Siberian Orchestra does.

"You don't have enough talent to win on talent alone." -Herb Brooks

Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Sep 19, 2011 11:37 AM EDT reply actions

Ummm...

We already have one that was pretty much written for us. Even if it was released 5 years prior to the team’s existence… it’s still… perfect!! You may have heard it.. it’s called “Thunderstruck” by a lil’ band named AC/DC?? Not sure how long we’ve been using that but it’s stood the test of time, for sure, through all our other opening songs (remember: ~~Pepsi’s~~ Van Halen’s “Right Now”)

Just a perfect song for the Lightning, especially with this year’s “Be the Thunder” campaign. Still gives me goosebumps till this day!! Even put it on yesterday at 7am, when I got up for camp, to get “in the mood” haha. Just can’t see us using anything else.

Thoughts out to the friends and family of those involved with the most tragic off season in hockey history. Including Red Wings.. Rusty, Beast & Stefan Liv. R.I.P.

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Sep 19, 2011 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

I think they want one that’s written just for them, and not just adopt an existing song.

"You don't have enough talent to win on talent alone." -Herb Brooks

Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Sep 19, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

This song will solely be associated with the Bolts. “Thunderstruck” has also become cliche in many respects, IMHO. A new song fits in nicely with the on-going rebranding of the team.

"The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect"
- Smith in Orwell's 1984

by MTBoltFan on Sep 19, 2011 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions

He did say "up to introductions"

So “Thunderstruck” may still be used. It wasn’t always used though, they used something before that but I don’t know what the song is called. I’m pretty sure I heard it used in Pittsburgh during that series.

"I'd run over my mother to win the Super Bowl." - Russ Grimm

by bucnut1 on Sep 19, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

True

And I definitely remember hearing “Thunderstruck” as the intro during the playoffs, when WE were the visitors, either Pittsburgh or Boston. Remember thinking “Aww, how sweet of them to make us feel at home” haha.

Thoughts out to the friends and family of those involved with the most tragic off season in hockey history. Including Red Wings.. Rusty, Beast & Stefan Liv. R.I.P.

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Sep 20, 2011 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions

which

what are you? a Wing or a Bolt?

by tazz55 on Sep 21, 2011 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

This could be really, really cool.

A part of the SPT article quotes Lieweke about the song for the Seahawks when he was there. He’s right—I think of that song when I think about the new (post-Jim Zorn) Seahawks. The two are synonymous in my mind.

I think this has that same potential. I’m personally hoping for something along the lines of “Aggressive Expansion” from the “Dark Knight” sound track.

"The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect"
- Smith in Orwell's 1984

by MTBoltFan on Sep 19, 2011 1:12 PM EDT reply actions

I’m thinking lots of timpani (or kettle drums, if you prefer), double bass, perhaps a bit of cello, and cymbal crashes – lots and lots of cymbal crashes.

Seriously, if you’ve never taken in a full orchestral performance, you are missing out. It’s extremely powerful and can be an overwhelming experience, depending on the piece of music being performed. “Classical music”, “symphony”, and “orchestra” imply boring music that you’re going to fall asleep to, and sometimes that’s true. But not always.

If you don’t believe me, then listen to this as loud as you can – it was written in 1851 – and it still won’t come close to how it is performed live.

http://youtu.be/7AlEvy0fJto

"You don't have enough talent to win on talent alone." -Herb Brooks

Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Sep 19, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I do love me some orchestral music. I love Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark, too—but that’s completely different.

I am looking forward to its unveiling at the SPTF on October 17. I do hope, however, they practice the pre-game ceremony/video. During the playoffs the mistakes were…glaring.

"The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect"
- Smith in Orwell's 1984

by MTBoltFan on Sep 19, 2011 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

The 17th? I can't wait for Friday!!!

Get my jersey and then go to the game Friday night.

"I'd run over my mother to win the Super Bowl." - Russ Grimm

by bucnut1 on Sep 19, 2011 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

No Nickleback?

Nickleback practically screams hockey.

I'll do it tomorrow, that seems like a pretty good idea to me
What's wrong with tomorrow, I'm watching him but who's watching me?

by Smoboy41 on Sep 19, 2011 8:26 PM EDT reply actions

This isn’t Ottawa ;-)

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Sep 19, 2011 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Ugh

Sure hope you’re kidding.. and maybe just referring to the possible horrible news of them playing Canada’s kick-off weekend deal thingy.

Thoughts out to the friends and family of those involved with the most tragic off season in hockey history. Including Red Wings.. Rusty, Beast & Stefan Liv. R.I.P.

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Sep 20, 2011 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Of course

It just never ceases to amaze me how everybody says they hate Nickleback, yet the band continues to sell craploads of cds.

I'll do it tomorrow, that seems like a pretty good idea to me
What's wrong with tomorrow, I'm watching him but who's watching me?

by Smoboy41 on Sep 20, 2011 3:15 AM EDT up reply actions

If you'd like to check out my music collection, I promise you they won't be in it. :D

"I'd run over my mother to win the Super Bowl." - Russ Grimm

by bucnut1 on Sep 20, 2011 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions

+1

"The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect"
- Smith in Orwell's 1984

by MTBoltFan on Sep 20, 2011 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Great news, should be epic!

I actually thought a while back that a team-specific orchestra piece would fit well. At a game I went to, they used the opening song from the recent Star Trek movie, which has great orchestral music, that lead perfectly into the intro of Thunderstruck. I think that going along those same lines is a great move. Orchestras can convey such power and emotion in the music without the risk of cheesy lyrics.

by JGator45 on Sep 19, 2011 10:02 PM EDT reply actions

still think

my curse by killswitch engage would be an awesome intro song. cuz in the song it says THIS. IS. MY. CURSE. like punctuated so we could do lightning strikes for each one. idk. we will see. i feel like we kinda had a song like this for that video they showed b4 the playoff games? the one where it was like … “they can hear you” etc…

by TomK91 on Sep 20, 2011 1:35 AM EDT reply actions