Who knew that some of the biggest blink-182 fans resided in Denver?
The Avalanche are one of the most exciting teams to watch on the ice, but arguably the greatest performance you’ll see at their home games is the one in the stands.
Quickly becoming ingrained into the culture of the Avalanche is the California rock band’s hit single, “All the Small Things.” The highlights have gone all over social media, as thousands of fans in their maroon and blue are belting, “Say it so, I will not go!”
All The Small Things, playoff edition pic.twitter.com/9iSpmhswUi
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) May 4, 2022
The song has become a staple during the third period of game’s at Ball Arena, playing during a TV timeout or other point where there is a stop in the action.
However, the singing doesn’t stop during the breaks either. While the music might turn off once play resumes, the Avs fans take it upon themselves to finish out the chorus.
.@Avalanche fans singing “All The Small Things” >>>#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/ACXsWMauNj
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 26, 2022
How did this popular late ’90s, early 2000s jam become a part of the Avalanche experience? Here’s a look into the back story behind it.
Why do they play “All the Small Things” at Avalanche games?
Let’s be honest, the Avalanche are not the first team to blast the popular song throughout an arena.
The song has been around for over 20 years and has become a constant at sports games. But no one has quite taken a liking to it like the fans in Colorado.
In the fall of 2019, the Avs’ DJ, Craig Turney, or DJ Triple T as he’s known by the fanbase, heard the song come on the radio. Keeping it in the back of his mind, he decided to try it out at the Avs’ next home game.
It was a hit.
“They just loved it,” Turney said in an interview with NHL.com. “It was organic. It wasn’t staged. Everyone was into it and it was like, ‘Wow, OK I think we’re really on to something here.'”
During the 2019-20 season, the crowd fed into it more and more, quickly becoming a must-play. Even when the season had to hit pause due to the COVID_19 pandemic, that didn’t stop fans from remembering the jam when the season resumed in the Edmonton and Toronto bubbles.
“That just felt like a moment where everyone needed it,” Turney said. “I know I did. No one could be there at the games and we all wanted to be. Everyone’s normal lives were changed and hockey was back, but not in the way that we all know and love.
So, when I sent our playlist of songs to the DJ in the [Edmonton] bubble I gave specific instructions on how and when to play the song. And they did! That was awesome and I think is part of why it became such a special tradition because it has that ability to make you feel like you’re there at the game cheering on the Avs even if you aren’t.”
Over the last three seasons, the videos and highlights of the Avalanche faithful belting out the lyrics to the song have been scattered all over the internet. It even reached singer blink-182 Mark Hoppus, who gave kudos to the crowd on Twitter.
It’s become so synonymous with Avalanche hockey that even national broadcasters know to let the sweet singing voices of Ball Arena take over through the TV.
“It’s not even a discussion that we have with producers or anything like that, we just know “All The Small Things” goes with the Avalanche,” said TNT and Islanders’ broadcaster Brendan Burke to NHL.com. “I try my best to lay off. It seems like it just keeps getting longer and goes way after the puck is dropped. You can’t always hold off for a full minute-and-a-half, but I try for as long as I can.”
Every team has their traditions and their own in-game practices, but I think this one in particular has sparked a trend across the league.
And don’t think the players on the ice haven’t noticed it either. It’s impossible not to.
“It’s been louder than ever,” captain Gabriel Landeskog said to NHL.com. “It seems like they finish the entire song almost if they can … If you’re on the ice and you’re playing, you’re not necessarily thinking about it. But if you’re on the bench and you’ve got some time to sit there, you notice it. That’s kind of our song now.”
It’s pretty electric when they do it.
Avalanche home record since “All the Small Things” became a tradition
Is it just a coincidence that the Avalanche have seen sustained success since “All the Small Things” started blaring through the speakers at their home rink? Who’s to say, but you can’t argue facts and the facts are Colorado has been downright dominant at home for three seasons now.
Since the 2019-20 season, the Avs own the best home record in the league at 74-18-12. Their record at home of 32-5-4 this year was second to the Panthers. In the 2020-21 season, Colorado and Pittsburgh had identical home records of 22-4-2, tied for the league lead.
Perfect timing? Maybe. Just don’t tell the Avs fans that.
“All the Small Things” lyrics
All the small things
True care, truth brings
I’ll take one lift
Your ride, best trip
Always, I know
You’ll be at my show
Watching, waiting
Commiserating
Say it ain’t so, I will not go
Turn the lights off, carry me home
Na na, na na, na na, na na, na, na
Na na, na na, na na, na na, na, na
Na na, na na, na na, na na, na, na
Na na, na na, na na, na na, na, na
Late night, come home
Work sucks, I know
She left me roses by the stairs
Surprises let me know she cares
Just say it ain’t so, I will not go
Turn the lights off, carry me home
Na na, na na, na na, na na, na, na
Na na, na na, na na, na na, na, na
Na na, na na, na na, na na, na, na
Na na, na na, na na, na na, na, na
Say it ain’t so, I will not go
Turn the lights off, carry me home
Keep your head still, I’ll be your thrill
The night will go on, my little windmill
(Na na, na na, na na, na na, na, na)
Say it ain’t so, I will not go
(Na na, na na, na na, na na, na, na)
Turn the lights off, carry me home
(Na na, na na, na na, na na, na, na)
Keep your head still, I’ll be your thrill
(Na na, na na, na na, na na, na, na)
The night will go on, the night will go on, my little windmill
