The power and popularity of “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins, which first famously appeared on TV in Season 1 of Michael Mann’s Miami Vicesurvived 30 years of screen appearances in everything from Risky business to the Cadbury chocolate bar commercial to the fictitious Mike Tyson’s fondness for the tune in the original Hangover. Now it has been reinvented as the theme song for one of the most popular TV shows.
ESPN announced today will feature a version of the song that combines the talents of Chris Stapleton, Snoop Dogg and Cindy Blackman Santana. The first clip of the collaboration was released today via a new open music video that will play before every game. (Note: “Heavy Action”, iconic instrumental Monday night football theme music, will remain part of the production. It will follow the new opening and lead into each game’s challenge.)
You can watch the just-released clip below.
The new opening will debut tonight with a special presentation of the network’s “Two Games, One Night.” It will lead to ESPN’s telecast of the Saints at Panthers game at 7:15 PM ET and ABC’s Browns at Steelers game at 8:15 PM ET. It will be part of all networks in the future Monday night football telecast, ESPN’s Week 18 doubleheader on Saturday, the Super Wild Card and its first divisional playoff game.
Why the new open did not lead the first season Monday night football last week’s game is unclear. It could have been to strike a lighter note that day – it was 9/11 after all. 1 week Monday night football featured Stapleton’s song “White Horse”. Music from Timbaland and Justin Timberlake will also run in Monday night football promotional spots, live TV coverage and pre-match shows for seven weeks this season.
