Music is a unifying thing, where many people from different backgrounds come together over similar interests. Some might be fans of the classics; others bond over modern pop, and still others might commiserate over alternative rock. Very seldom does a person not like music at all, and as such, music becomes a big discussion generator.
That’s why, amidst the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks exchanging touchdowns, field goals, and safeties to start the season, the underrated hot topic was the goal song. Gone suddenly was the popular “Fluxland” that had become ingrained in the DNA of Oilers hockey. In came the first custom goal song in franchise history, “Striking Oil” by the local alternative-rock band Royal Tusk.
Various opinions have already been widely shared on social media about “Striking Oil.” But, removing emotion from the dialogue, did the Oilers actually pick their best goal song ever? They just might have, simply by going local. Here’s the story of the new song, and why it could be the best ever for this team.
The first locally-produced Oilers goal song ever
Of all the regular season goal songs the Oilers have used in their first 47 NHL seasons, none were Edmontonian. Every artist, from XL (who created “Fluxland”) to KISS, hailed from a different area altogether. Never was something like Captain Tractor’s version of “The Last Saskatchewan Pirate” or even anything from Nickelback used. The Tampa Bay Lightning, shockingly, beat the Oilers to the Nickelback punch.
According to the behind-the-scenes video the Oilers released, this was in the works for months already. The Oilers have quietly worked with Royal Tusk, whose members recall moving their set times as a very young band in 2006 to watch that playoff run, on “Striking Oil.” The main mission of the goal song was to get the fans more engaged.
What “Striking Oil” keeps consistent is a mix of “woah-oh-ohs” and “heys” that previous goal songs have had. What it adds is the iconic “Let’s Go Oilers” chant that has been around since the Coliseum days. It didn’t reinvent the wheel; rather, it did add new flair never before seen.
Striking Oil not only was by design, but follows a trend
This observer immediately noted something about this goal song, that has become increasingly common in the NHL. More and more, teams are crafting or curating local tunes to celebrate with after goals. This was first done with “Slapshot” by New York Rangers organist Ray Castoldi in 1994.
The Dallas Stars followed up with Pantera’s “Puck Off” later in the decade. For the longest time, those were the two unique ones in an era where “Rock and Roll Part 2” by [name redacted] dominated the hockey landscape. But nowadays, several teams are either going custom or local.
Among them are the Florida Panthers. They ditched a top-tier goal song in “Sweetness” by Jimmy Eat World for their own “Panthers Pulse” which became the soundtrack to two Stanley Cups and three Finals in a row. The Montreal Canadiens also have their own custom goal song, which gained notoriety in 2021.
Additionally, teams such as Detroit (“Without Me” by Eminem), Seattle (“Lithium” by Nirvana), and San Jose (as of this year, Green Day’s “Holiday”) have elected to choose popular songs by local artists. So if anything, the Oilers are simply getting with the program. As beloved as Fluxland became, it was neither local nor custom. It was time for an update.
Why Striking Oil has the edge over everything else in Oilers history
Last year, this observer did a goal-song rankings post (which confirms that “Fluxland” matched the non-redacted record of five seasons as Oilers goal song). Team success played a factor, but generally the more popular songs engaged the fans. Or, in the case of Metric, they described the whole fanbase’s feelings towards their storied barn.
“Striking Oil” goes a step further. A loud call-out of “OIL COUNTRY!” and getting a “Let’s Go Oilers” chant going, is uncharted territory. No other goal song has done either of those. This one does both, keeps the traditional “woah-oh-ohs” and “heys.” and is done by a local band.
Of course, if it doesn’t become the soundtrack to Stanley Cups like MECO’s “Empire Strikes Back” medley, then it might never be number one on that ranking list. But just by the amount of civic pride alone, it already deserves a lofty spot. Royal Tusk might not be everyone’s cup of tea, and some folks even here at The Oil Rig may mourn “Fluxland” exiting. Nevertheless, the team has certainly struck oil with this choice, in the eyes of this proud, true-blue Edmontonian.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
