Monday Night Football Musical Makeover: Few songs have had as much effect as Phil Collins’ spooky ballad “In the Air Tonight.” Still, “Miami Vice”‘s 1984 opening episode made us remember the tune. Imagine a Spyder engine roaring with Crockett and Tubbs, the iconic crime-fighting team, ready with loaded shotguns. This will forever be recognized in television history.
Monday Night Football, which quickly breaks norms, risks reviving Collins’ 1981 masterpiece as we enter a new era. ESPN’s new opening theme features Snoop Dogg, Chris Stapleton, and drummer Cindy Blackman Santana reimagining this classic tune—a brave and imaginative move.
This new rendition has a dark charm, even though it may never reach Michael Mann’s dramatic heights. The scene is captivating for 1.5 minutes. Imagine Chris Stapleton boldly marching through a stadium’s poorly lighted hallways with a turned-up collar and a rough cowboy hat. Snoop Dogg, who looks fabulous in a tracksuit, enters on a lowrider. Everyone remembers his rap verse: “Rivals, us first, then life. Tribal, thus we must win.”
The video expertly blends NFL team footage, Snoop Dogg’s lyrics, a bunch of dancers in perfect time, and Blackman Santana’s mesmerizing drums. A blazing guitar solo by Stapleton is the highlight. His high notes are unforgettable: “Well, I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life, oh Lord.”
Stapleton’s longtime producer, Dave Cobb, helped create this full-length masterpiece, which electrified a critical game. The powerhouse New Orleans team faced Carolina. Blackman Santana’s rapid drumming matched the game’s pulse and complemented Stapleton’s singing.
Country music stars and football openings go well together, which is odd. New Stapleton song “White Horse,” aired before Monday Night Football last week, set the stage for field glory. Two weeks ago, Carrie Underwood headlined Sunday Night Football with “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night,” a tribute to Joan Jett’s “I Hate Myself for Loving You.” This was her 11th season.
Chris Stapleton stood tall in February’s Super Bowl and sang the national anthem with soul. This performance captivated audiences again in June after being streamed. The November 10 release of Stapleton’s new album, “Higher,” has fans anxious.
Snoop Dogg, though, has supported Hollywood’s hidden voices. He postponed two highly anticipated October Hollywood Bowl performances to demonstrate his support. He stood with the striking WGA and SAG-AFTRA writers and actors in a forceful statement.
The Monday Night Football version of “In the Air Tonight” by Snoop Dogg, Chris Stapleton, and Cindy Blackman Santana shows how art can be exciting when music, sports, and politics collide. The melancholy beauty of this musical transition proves creativity and ingenuity are limitless.
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