Phil Collins’ classic song “In the Air Tonight” has been covered by an all-star group of musicians. The cover will be used as the opening theme from ESPN’s Monday Night Football.
Per a press release from ESPN, the cover features Chris Stapleton, Snoop Dogg and drummer Cindy Blackman Santana. The cover will make its debut tonight (September 18) and will be the opening theme before the Saints/Panthers game on ESPN and the Browns/Steelers game on ABC.
The ESPN press release further notes, “The new ‘Monday Night Football’ anthem is comprised of Chris Stapleton covering Collins’ lyrics, with Snoop Dogg, in his signature style adding football-centric verses, Cindy Blackman Santana, a powerhouse on the drums, rocking the song’s iconic drum break and brings her own style and accents to this classic song. The show open will include NFL stars, game highlights and dramatic moments intercut with dramatic performances from all three artists.”
The cover can be previewed below.
Stapleton’s fans seem especially pumped by the cover. One fan wrote, “He could sing the cooking directions on the back of a box of Stove Top and it would be a banger.” Another fan wrote, “You need to do the halftime show at the Superbowl this year!!! You blew the house down with the national anthem. Lets get the halftime show. You are the only artist worthy!!!”
While we think there are plenty of other artists “worthy” of performing at the Halftime Show, there’s no doubt Stapleton would do an incredible job.