Host thoughts: We’re ready for Monday Night Football’s new theme

Last Monday, ESPN debuted the new theme song for Monday Night Football.

The song, a cover of Phil Collins’ hit “In the Air Tonight” is performed by Chris Stapleton, Snoop Dogg, and Cindy Blackman Santana.

Can you feel it? 🔥

The new Monday Night Football Anthem is HERE!@ChrisStapleton x @SnoopDogg x @Drumstress pic.twitter.com/hbuTMMHIT9

— ESPN (@espn) September 19, 2023

Where does this rank in the pantheons of sports theme songs? Here’s what our hosts thought.

Carmichael Dave

The Monday Night Football theme is iconic, perhaps the greatest football theme ever. So you gotta be careful. I know there are now basically themes and “anthems” so you get a little more leeway. And what better trio than Stapleton, Snoop, and Cindy B. Santana?

Basically, Chris could sing the phone book and it would be awesome. He’s up there with the best new content producers in music ever.

If you’re not, or only slightly, familiar with his work, check the video below. It’s basically the coolest musical performance of the last 10 years. No, I’m not joking.

I don’t need to say anything about Snoop. He’s an ICON. And along with CBS on drums, you’re drawing from a WIDE audience.

Now throw in the 80s with it being a Phil Collins classic, and you’ve covered pretty much every demo.

Also, did you know Phil Collins sang half of the most underrated duet ever? No seriously, blows me away the amount of people that didn’t know or just forgot about this song. The build at the end? Chef’s Kiss.

Anyway, well-done music folks. You did well. Also if you haven’t heard Post Malone’s anthem for college football, “Give Me Something Real,” check it out now. It’s worth the full song. Anytime you have a choir and Fur Elise shoutouts, you’re doing fine. Some of his best work.

 

Now I’ve given you almost 20 minutes of music to listen to while you’re bored. Go listen.

Jason Ross

I was surprised by the new Monday Night Football anthem. Mainly because I am usually a fan of leaving a good thing alone. I personally am a big fan of the original song by Phil Collins but their twist on “In the Air Tonight” was fabulous. Chris Stapleton is truly amazing, Cindy Blackman Santana crushed it on drums and Snoop just makes everything a little bit better. I loved it. It’s a banger.

Kevin “Whitey” Gleason

There are many things I’ll think about when I hear “In The Air Tonight.” Phil Collins, Mike Tyson, the epic drum solo. Monday Night Football will not be one of them.

I would’ve loved a new and original MNF song. A song that celebrates Monday Football’s rich and unique history! Instead, we get an overhyped, half-baked needlessly gaudy piece of…nothing.

Where does it rank among other all-time TV sports themes? Let me put it this way: ABC’s 1970’s PGA Tour theme, “Love’s Theme”, ranks much higher.

In the words of the late, great David Stern: “Ill-conceived, poorly executed … and badly produced.”

Chris Watkins

I will never be upset at hearing the drums for “In the Air Tonight.” Try to hear that and not be hyped. This still isn’t to the level of the trumpets in the Sunday Night Football theme, but it’s still great. Chris Stapleton and Snoop is the combo I didn’t know that I needed. 9.5/10

Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Newsletter