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ESPN Monday Night Football put a new spin on a nostalgic hit Monday night (September 18), as the broadcast opened with a new music video featuring Chris Stapleton, Snoop Dogg and drummer Cindy Blackman Santana reinvent Phil Collins“The classic “In the Air Tonight”.
The clip led to ESPN’s broadcast of the New Orleans Saints’ game against the Carolina Panthers at 7:15 p.m. ET, as well as ABC’s broadcast of the Cleveland Browns’ game against the Chicago Steelers. Pittsburgh at 8:15 p.m. ET. This will now continue for everyone Monday Night Football games, as well as ESPN’s Week 18 Saturday doubleheader, the Super Wild Card and its first division playoff game, according to a press release.
“It was fascinating to me how a song could put you in that mode to get you kicking,” Hines Ward of the Steelers said in an ESPN article about the song, before Terry McLaurin of the Commanders Washington adds: “I don’t.” It doesn’t matter if you’re the home team, the away team, you hear this song no matter what (before the game).
“In the Air Tonight” first appeared on Collins’ debut solo album, Nominal valuein 1981. Released as a single, it reached number 19 in the rankings. Billboard Hot 100. THE rock the ballad bubbled below the Hot 100 for six weeks in the fall of 1984 after being featured on the NBC hit Miami Vice. The song was later featured on the Miami Vice soundtrack, which dominated the Billboard 200 for 11 weeks in 1985-86.
The new version of “In the Air Tonight” isn’t the only musical moment for this season. As previously announcedESPN has partnered with Timbaland And Justin Timberlake throughout the 2023-24 NFL season to host music for select Monday Night Football games. Music curated by the superstar duo will be featured in Monday Night Football promotional spots, live broadcasts and pregame shows for seven weeks this season.
Watch the new intro below:
