Misconduct | Which French song should the Canadian jump on the ice to?

The section where journalists from the Sports team The Press answer a question with pleasure

Mathias Brunet

First you need a song with rhythm. We want to see the Canadian start the match with enthusiasm. The Willow by Isabelle Boulay is a touching anthem, but would not necessarily fulfill this mandate. Canadian fans also want to see a competitive, robust team on the ice, which does not allow itself to be intimidated, and which on the contrary makes the opponent nervous with its boldness and ferocity. I hear knockinga hit by Michel Pagliaro which dates back to 1972, a few years from the glorious conquests of that decade, the last era of glory for the Canadian, does not want to get old. What better way to wake up the crowd and motivate the troops?

Katherine Harvey-Pinard

The real question goes something like this: to which Cowboys Fringants song should the Canadian jump on the ice at the Bell Centre? For me, it is impossible to miss the group that unites all Quebecers, which combines deep and soulful texts with incomparable melodies. Where it gets complicated, therefore, is when it comes to choosing the right song. Shooting stars ? Too nostalgic. America cries ? Too sad. To my own surprise, I think I would opt for Straight ahead. Prepare yourself little boy / the expedition will be long / and even if we never come back alive / we must walk straight ahead.

Jean-Philippe Arcand

Well, okay, it’s true that it would be a bit inappropriate to play this song at the Bell Center in March or April, when the Canadian has already been eliminated for a while. Nevertheless, this timeless hymn to resilience and courage that is Still aliveby the late Gerry Boulet, would have everything it takes to ignite the crowd. Recognizable from its first guitar and brass notes, the piece would remind us that the CH is “the one who fights when life knocks him down” – or at least, who tries to do so –, who “always stands » and who “goes all the way”. And imagine for a moment the vibrations caused by 21,000 supporters shouting in unison: “I’m the one who KICKS life!” » Party assured in the stands.

Richard Labbé

The management of the Canadiens often likes to make us believe that everything is going well and that the sun is reaching out to them, with grand declarations tinged with optimism and TV series that want us to believe that there is a plan to return to the glory. In this state of mind, then, why not send the players onto the ice to the sound of I’m doing well by Kathleen, a perfect song for this situation? Even after a series of four or five defeats, it would be fabulous to see the players arrive to the sound of this hymn to the glory of the singing tomorrows. Plus, it would be impossible not to be immediately motivated by hearing this unforgettable chorus.

Nicholas Richard

My choice: Not for saleby Vincent Vallières. Not the best known piece from his excellent album Making the dawnbut certainly the most rock. The percussion sequences in the introduction, then the big electric guitar, to end in a crescendo towards the chorus with even more percussion. There is also a unifying effect suggested by the choirs, making the transition between the verses. It’s impossible for the Canadiens players and fans not to feel the motivation and delirium rising when listening to this song through the speakers of the new Forum. A lighter, my darling / And a few beers / We set fire to ordinary madness / Make the minutes, the seconds burn. It also fits with two themes dear to the organization: selling cold drinks and setting ice on fire. But with a torch, not a lighter.

Jean-François Tremblay

The main criteria in the selection should be the energy level of the song, then its anchoring in popular culture. In this case, it is difficult to ignore Éric Lapointe. Is anyone who has ever held a hockey stick in their hands incapable of singing at least the chorus of the song Les Boys ? OK, Éric Lapointe’s offer linked to hockey then experienced a radical drop with Rocket – We are all Maurice Richard et Le Boys Blues Bandbut for the duration of a song, he captured the whole spirit of hockey, of fun, of the locker room, of playing for the logo on the face and not for the name on the back. It would also be the perfect opportunity to have a Quebec team enter to the powerful song of a Quebec artist rather than the whiny elegy of a British group, as excellent as it may be.