Rating the Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows
Over the past three decades, the Super Bowl halftime show has become an American tradition, an event that gets looked forward to and enjoyed by the entire nation. But it was only sometimes so. For the first twenty-five years following the merger of the NFL and AFL, Bowl halftime spectacles rarely even got televised, as they were nothing more than cliché performances by various university marching bands. That began to change in 1993, when the NFL made a plea to the then world’s most recognizable musical figure, Michael Jackson, to take center stage at Super Bowl XXVII and help the event’s dwindling ratings with an attention-piquing show. The King of Pop did just that, and his mini-concert glued more people to screens than the actual game.
From 1993 onwards, Super Bowl halftimes took on a life of their own. And in 2023, the Barbadian singer and global pop sensation Rhianna finally accepted the honor of singing at the NFL championship game. The league’s Head of Music, Seth Dudowsky, described Rihanna as a once-in-a-generation artist who has been a cultural force since the mid-2000s. We doubt anyone disagrees with this statement. In anticipation of her performance, here is a list of what many think are the ten best ones that preceded it.
10. Katy Perry – 2015
Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, better known to everyone by her artist moniker Katy Perry, shut down the Super Bowl in 2014 with an electric performance that featured incredible outfits and set dressing. During her rendering of Dark Horse, a 3D chess board appeared on stage, Lenny Kravitz joined Perry for a duet of I Kissed a Girl, and Missy Elliot seemed to mix things up and add a medley of her biggest hits. The show belted with Fireworks and a stunning light arrangement. It was a sight to behold, and overall performance was a massive critical success.
9. Coldplay, Beyoncé & Bruno Mars – 2016
Many pundits claimed that Beyonce’s surprise appearance at Super Bowl L added the boosting thrill the show needed to reach a higher plane of enjoyment. Yet, the truth is that Coldplay’s fuzzy rock was doing enough. Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson performing Uptown Funk infused an opposed style to Coldplay’s. And the show ended up being a wonderful mélange of musical variety that will be remembered for years to come.
8. Paul McCartney – 2005
The selection of the former Beatle as the artist for Super Bowl XXXIX’s halftime entertainment took most people by surprise, as even Vegas bookies did not have him listed as a possible option. Sportsbooks accept prop bets on virtually anything these days, including the halftime show. And all you need to know about Super Bowl betting can be found in dedicated guides at premium online gambling review hubs like SBS. Primarily singing Beatles’ songs, McCartney blew the roof of Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville.
7. Lady Gaga – 2017
According to most, Lady Gaga managed to pull off one of the most acclaimed Bowl halftime shows, putting forward the things that make this singer/songwriter so special. The show was so good it won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special.
6. Madonna – 2012
Madonna was another unlikely pick, and many rumored that she got chosen because this legend agreed to appear for free. The trade-off was that she would get the global exposure her career needed. Her act featured guests like Nicki Minaj, CeeLo Green, M.I.A, LMFAO, and their chemistry impressed everyone.
5. The Weeknd – 2021
Performing a set that spanned his entire career, the Weeknd’s Super Bowl XXXV halftime show was a fever dream with nods to the King of Pop’s 1993 performance. The fearless artist cramped eight songs into fourteen minutes, and he left everyone watching breathless with his robust arrangements and guitar-heavy band.
4. Michael Jackson – 1993
We discussed this show above. And here, we are giving it the high third place on this list of best-reviewed Super Bowl spectacles.
3. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band – 2009
The Boss and his crew are still one of the world’s most successful touring acts, packing stadiums around the globe yearly. In 2009, they got to perform at Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa and stunned audiences with tweaked lyrics and a surprise crotch shot.
2. U2 – 2002
Less than six months following the 9/11 attacks, the US was a nation in need of an emotional boost. The British rock band U2 was tasked to provide it via a transcend tribute that would supply an escape for the hundreds of millions of Super Bowl viewers in that troubled and dark time. The NFL chose wisely, as U2 did just that with a carefully selected setlist meant to inspire hope.
1. Prince – 2007
Produced by Don Mischer and run by White Cherry Entertainment, Prince’s Super Bowl XLI show universally ranks as the best. Watch on YT for free to find out why.
To Sum Up
Without question, Prince’s flash and U2’s emotional tribute set a high benchmark for all artists to attempt to reach. None have done this so far, but that does not mean that climbing this mountain is impossible.
