[NegPhil]

CBC to can Hockey Night Theme? We present 7 suggested replacements
by Brad Frenette
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There was outrage in the streets this morning (ok, ok, there was outrage in the Post's morning web meeting) as it looks like CBC will be getting rid of the Hockey Night in Canada theme song, making last night's broadcast, in which the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup, potentially the last time the tune will ring across the nation.

Listen to the original here.

According to reports, CBC has "advised the composer, Dolores Claman (at left), that it is not prepared to enter into a new license agreement with respect to the use of the theme."

The Ampersand knows when it's being called to duty. So to help make this transition easier on our fellow countryfolk and our public broadcaster, we've assembled seven songs that might replace what has quite possibly become our second national anthem:

7. We're Going to Win, Bryan Adams: Yes, Bryan Adams.

6. Danielle (She Don't Care About Hockey), by The Hanson Brothers: The ex-NoMeansNo mix The Ramones and punk. This would be the Strombo of hockey theme songs.

5. The Lonely End of the Rink, Tragically Hip: The Hip are to music as hockey is to sport.

4. Hit Somebody, Warren Zevon: Perhaps the only American to write a song about hockey. Even though it's about a Canadian.

4. The Ballad of Wendel Clark, Part 1&2, The Rheostatics: It's easy to see the trajectory of Dave Bidini from hockey-singing rocker to hockey-writing writer.

2. Fifty Mission Cap, Tragically HIp: Leafs references? Hockey cards? NHL mythology? This song could only be bested by...

1. The Hockey Song, Stompin' Tom Connors: If you scoff, just watch the video.

With an honourable mention to: Three Cheers for Ottawa.

Any suggestions? Comment below!

[spottrax]

Fireworks with edited "heck" insted of "fuck"

[grimes]

This would be a travesty if true. Reminds me a little of the time a few years back HNIC didn't renew Ron MacLean's contract, but after public outrage changed their minds and came to their senses. Surely the theme song is a more vital part of the show than MacLean...

[screw_ball]

Fireworks with edited "heck" insted of "f**k"

[skippy the wonder dog]

I'm not sure that Fireworks, a song that has a kid growing out of hockey worship, is a good theme song choice for a hockey broadcast.

Incidentally, this is what happens when CBC uses the song outside its license agreement and the author enforces her rights. Oops, the contract isn't renewed. Quelle surprise.

[sean.bonner]

Compromise:
Get The Hip to cover the HNIC theme

[grimes]

Just heard an interview on the radio with Scott Moore (head of CBC Sports) and he said they are still planning to negotiate to keep the song, but their Plan B if things fall through is to hold a nationwide contest to come up with a new theme song.

[skippy the wonder dog]

Moore isn't being entirely honest (and it's not the first time).

The composer is suing the CBC over unlicensed uses of the song. CBC has made settling that lawsuit a condition of reaching a new licensing deal, and has not offered a settlement the composer finds acceptable. CBC has also made a low-ball offer for all rights to the tune -- more rights for less money, the standard publisher/broadcaster game. The copyright holder, wisely, told them to pound salt. Now, Moore is crawling back saying, let's make a deal.

[grimes]

Yeah he did mention the lawsuit as well, including that mediation was unsuccessful and that CBC offered to go to binding arbitration but the copyright holder refused.

It's definitely a rough situation for the copyright holder. If CBC does bail then they're pretty much screwed, as the rights to the song won't be worth a whole lot going forward if its no longer being broadcast to the nation on a weekly basis. Unless of course they try to shop it elsewhere...TSN did just sign a new deal with the NHL, giving them Canadian team double-headers on Wednesday nights all season long. Perhaps they'd be interested...

[screw_ball]

Compromise:
Get The Hip to cover the HNIC theme

I change my answer to this. Hell, I'd even go into tons of debt to cover the session(s) needed to record this.

[spottrax]

Honestly I cant imagine HNIC without that into. Everytime I hear it, I am brought back to my childhood... I know it sounds corny but living in the Detroit area HNIC was/is a tradition of sorts. I feel lucky to have the memories of all those great saturday nights durning the 70's watching some of the roughest and toughest hockey. Would be a shame if they omited/changed the theme song....

Congrats to the WINGS!

[cochise]

Honestly I cant imagine HNIC without that into. Everytime I hear it, I am brought back to my childhood... I know it sounds corny but living in the Detroit area HNIC was/is a tradition of sorts. I feel lucky to have the memories of all those great saturday nights durning the 70's watching some of the roughest and toughest hockey. Would be a shame if they omited/changed the theme song....

Congrats to the WINGS!

100% agree (well not with the growing up in Detroit thing, but everything else :lol: )

Losing the HNIC theme would be like losing the national anthem

[skippy the wonder dog]

Yeah he did mention the lawsuit as well....

Along with "you don't do business with people who sue you?"

Neither do you do business with people who steal from you. CBC is punishing the rights holder for enforcing her rights. Why would she go to binding arbitration when she has a slam-dunk in the courts? The offer of binding arbitration is an attempt to reduce her likely settlement.

It's definitely a rough situation for the copyright holder. If CBC does bail then they're pretty much screwed....

Which suggests just how bad the current low-ball offer actually is.

The rights holder has asked for the same deal as previously, plus 15 percent, which is pretty reasonable. CBC, apparently, is attempting to buy all rights for one third of what the copyright holder is asking for them. Take a deal like that, and you're pretty much screwed.

In any case, won't be no Hip song as the theme song for HNIC. CBC doesn't want to pay them, either. CBC's alternative is to hold a contest for a new original theme, and we know how that works. Contests are the cheapskate's time-honoured method of getting copyright material for nothing.

[patiodweller]

OPTIONS:
1-The HIP should cover the Hockey Song
2- The HIP should compose a new song just for the new theme
3- Play a different song every Saturday night
4- Lonely End or Fireworks works (not 50 Mission since it's only about one team)

[tth_fan]

OPTIONS:
1-The HIP should cover the Hockey Song
2- The HIP should compose a new song just for the new theme
3- Play a different song every Saturday night
4- Lonely End or Fireworks works (not 50 Mission since it's only about one team)

Ya, but it's about the one and only team the CBC loves and shows every Saturday! So, they might as well!