It’s no surprise that the Super Bowl is the biggest night in television. The Super Bowl halftime shows themselves have become iconic moments in pop culture history, featuring some of the biggest titans in music delivering electrifying career-spanning performances that captivate millions of viewers around the world. The halftime shows have certainly evolved from the days of Up With People, The Blues Brothers, and New Kids On The Block, and now regularly feature legendary rockers, hip-hop superstars, and illustrious pop divas. Tonight, R&B crooner Usher joins the ranks of performers who can say they’ve headlined the halftime show. For this special edition of What’s Going On, we’re going to look back at five Super Bowl halftime show performances that stand out above the rest. Fun fact: Usher was a special guest during the Black Eyed Peas-fronted halftime show set in 2011, a performance that we won’t be talking about again in this list.
Tom Petty (Super Bowl XLII, 2008)
In 2008, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers took the stage at Super Bowl XLII and delivered a halftime performance that showcased their legendary rock prowess. No dancers or flashy light shows needed, the band’s stellar catalog was the star of the show. With hits like “Free Fallin’” and “American Girl” and my personal favourite, “Runnin’ Down a Dream”, Petty commanded the stage with his signature vocals and masterful guitar riffs, leaving audiences rocking out both at the game and in the comfort of their living rooms.
Jennifer Lopez & Shakira (Super Bowl LIV, 2019)
Veteran pop performers Jennifer Lopez & Shakira brought the heat to Super Bowl LIV with their co-headlined halftime show. With the big game being held in Miami that year, it only made sense for the halftime show to reflect the city’s Latin roots and the burgeoning resurgence of Latin pop on the charts. Both women danced and sang their way through some of their biggest hits, showing why they are the consummate showgirls. Surprise appearances from Bad Bunny, J Balvin, and Jenny From The Block’s daughter Emme Muñiz helped keep the energy up.
Madonna (Super Bowl XLVI, 2012)
The Queen of Pop dazzled the Super Bowl stage like no other, just don’t hold the inclusion of schlocky EDM-pop uncle-nephew duo LMFAO against the Material Girl’s gridiron extravaganza. Madonna‘s halftime show at Super Bowl XLVI was a dance-pop masterclass of epic proportions, featuring Roman Empire-themed costumes, dazzling screens, dynamic choreography, and a star-studded lineup of guest performers including Nicki Minaj, M.I.A., and CeeLo Green. With hits like “Vogue”, “Music” and “Like a Prayer”, Madonna proved once again why she’ll go down in history as pop music royalty. In a lot of ways, this performance set the template for the flashy pop halftime show performances that would follow.
U2 (Super Bowl XXXVI, 2002)
U2 holds the distinction of having perhaps the most poignant Super Bowl halftime show performance. In the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks, the Irish rockers delivered an emotionally charged set at Super Bowl XXXVI that hit viewers around the world right in the feels. Against a backdrop of names scrolling in remembrance of the 9/11 victims, U2 performed unforgettable classics “MLK” and “Where the Streets Have No Name”, with the latter culminating in Bono opening his jacket to reveal the American flag stitched into the lining. That touching gesture transcended the game itself and united viewers on either side of the political spectrum for that brief moment in time.
Prince (Super Bowl XLI, 2007)
When it comes to notable Super Bowl halftime show performances, none have been as instantly iconic or memorable as The Purple One’s electrifying performance at Super Bowl XLI. With rain pouring down upon him, Prince delivered a masterclass in showmanship, shredding on his guitar and belting out classics like “Purple Rain” and “Let’s Go Crazy” with unparalleled passion and intensity. Prince also threw in renditions of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” and Foo Fighters’ “Best of You” for good measure. With his captivating stage presence and unmatched talent, Prince used the time allotted to show exactly why he was in a league of his own.
