There has been good chemistry between football and rock music for decades. Keyword: Super Bowl halftime show. The greatest musicians from Bruce Springsteen to Prince to Beyoncé have performed here. Of course, one or two super hits from the portfolio of music history are also part of the generous soundtrack of the football television program. Titles are always chosen that somehow reflect the adrenaline rush of the sport.
Of course, that can also be said of “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins (well, rather just because of the airy title, because common interpretations speak of a man who could save another from drowning, but doesn’t do it or by a guy who was jilted and is now looking for revenge), in any case the US broadcaster ESPN, which is showing a live NFL football game on Monday evening, came up with the idea of using the mega hit for its intro.
However, without any involvement from Phil Collins. Instead, the “Face Value” track is covered by country singer Chris Stapleton, rapper Snoop Dogg and Santana’s wife and drummer Cindy Blackman Santana. The distribution is clear: Blackman Santana provides the action, Stapleton provides the pathos and Snoop Dog provides – no joke – lines adapted to football. In addition to the guitar solo, there are of course many energetic playing scenes in the video, as well as highly excited snippets of sentences from the commentators, until the spectacle culminates in a real rock finale.
Phil Collins knows enough about emotions and, according to what is known, he is also fond of some sports (in addition to the Premier League, the singer also enjoys tennis and golf). Not much is known about his interest in football, which is probably why he wasn’t involved in the production.
It’s fitting that Collins was on stage as the protagonist at probably one of the worst halftime shows in 2000 – alongside Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias and Toni Braxton. The doomed concept: Everyone sings Disney songs, no one sings their own hits. Collins, of course, took over the love theme from Tarzan. You won’t even want to watch this again on YouTube, trust us.