Chris Stapleton and Snoop Dogg have teamed up to cover Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” for this season of ESPN’s ‘Monday Night Football.’ The duo’s reimagined take on the song premiered during the special “Two Games, One Night” presentation. The cover of Collins’ 1981 hit song was announced with a teaser video starring all three stars that features a clip of their version, featuring Cindy Blackman Santana on drums.
In a statement provided by ESPN, “In the Air Tonight” has a “long history” with football, “having been cited in the past and present as a song that helps players shift their mindset to prepare to compete.” Per a press release, the official new opening to Monday Night Football will also include “NFL stars, game highlights and dramatic moments” alongside the three performers. “Heavy Action,” the longtime Monday Night Football theme song, will also remain in the broadcast.
“In the Air Tonight” first appeared on Collins’ debut solo album, Face Value, in 1981, reaching No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. “In the Air Tonight” was later featured on NBC’s hit show Miami Vice in the fall of 1984, and after the song was included on the Miami Vice soundtrack it topped the Billboard 200 for 11 weeks in 1985-86.
The new version of “In the Air Tonight” will air before all Monday Night Football games as well as ESPN’s week 18 Saturday doubleheader, super wild card and first divisional playoff game. Take a listen to the reimagined version of the classic song: here.
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