The Super Bowl is not only the biggest sporting event in the US, but also a cultural phenomenon that attracts millions of viewers from around the world. One of the most anticipated and talked-about aspects of the Super Bowl is the halftime show, which features some of the most popular and influential music artists of all time.
But not all halftime shows are created equal. Some are memorable for their spectacular performances, stunning visuals, and iconic moments, while others are forgettable, boring, or even controversial. In this blog post, we will rank the best and the worst Super Bowl halftime shows of all time, based on the criteria of entertainment value, artistic quality, and cultural impact.
The Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows
- Prince (2007): The legendary singer-songwriter delivered one of the most electrifying and emotional halftime shows ever, despite the pouring rain. He performed a medley of his hits, including “Let’s Go Crazy”, “Baby I’m a Star”, and “Purple Rain”, as well as covers of “We Will Rock You”, “All Along the Watchtower”, and “Best of You”. He also played a stunning guitar solo with a silhouette of his symbol against a giant curtain. Prince’s halftime show was a masterclass of musical genius, charisma, and showmanship.
- Beyoncé (2013): The Queen of Pop reunited with her former Destiny’s Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams for a dazzling and powerful halftime show that celebrated female empowerment. Beyoncé sang and danced to some of her biggest hits, such as “Crazy in Love”, “Single Ladies”, and “Halo”, as well as Destiny’s Child classics like “Bootylicious” and “Independent Women”. She also used pyrotechnics, holograms, and a massive stage shaped like her face. Beyoncé’s halftime show was a flawless and fierce display of talent, energy, and confidence.
- Michael Jackson (1993): The King of Pop changed the game of halftime shows with his groundbreaking and influential performance, which marked the first time that a solo artist headlined the show. Michael Jackson emerged from the center of the stadium and stood still for nearly two minutes, creating an incredible suspense and anticipation. He then performed a medley of his hits, including “Billie Jean”, “Black or White”, and “Heal the World”, as well as a new song called “Jam”. He also used special effects, dancers, and a choir of children. Michael Jackson’s halftime show was a spectacle of pop culture, social message, and entertainment.
- U2 (2002): The Irish rock band delivered one of the most moving and meaningful halftime shows ever, in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. U2 performed a tribute to the victims of the tragedy, with songs like “Beautiful Day”, “MLK”, and “Where the Streets Have No Name”. They also used a giant screen that displayed the names of the people who died in the attacks, and ended the show with Bono opening his jacket to reveal an American flag. U2’s halftime show was a gesture of solidarity, compassion, and hope.
- Lady Gaga (2017): The pop superstar delivered one of the most impressive and adventurous halftime shows ever, with a mix of theatrics, acrobatics, and music. Lady Gaga started the show by jumping from the roof of the stadium and flying down to the stage with wires. She then performed a medley of her hits, including “Poker Face”, “Born This Way”, and “Bad Romance”, as well as a cover of “God Bless America”. She also used drones, fireworks, and a keytar. Lady Gaga’s halftime show was a showcase of creativity, skill, and fun.
The Worst Super Bowl Halftime Shows
- Black Eyed Peas (2011): The hip-hop group delivered one of the most disappointing and disastrous halftime shows ever, with a lack of chemistry, charisma, and quality. The Black Eyed Peas performed some of their hits, such as “I Gotta Feeling”, “Boom Boom Pow”, and “The Time”, as well as collaborations with Slash and Usher. They also used futuristic costumes, LED lights, and dancers. But the show was marred by poor vocals, technical glitches, and awkward moments. The Black Eyed Peas’ halftime show was a mess of noise, chaos, and embarrassment.
- Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson (2004): The pop stars delivered one of the most controversial and scandalous halftime shows ever, with the infamous “wardrobe malfunction” that exposed Janet Jackson’s breast. The show was supposed to be a celebration of rock, pop, and soul, with songs like “Rock Your Body”, “Rhythm Nation”, and “All for You”, as well as appearances by Nelly, Kid Rock, and P. Diddy. But the show was overshadowed by the shocking incident that sparked a media frenzy, a public outcry, and a legal battle. The halftime show was a disaster of controversy, backlash, and censorship.
- New Kids on the Block (1991): The boy band delivered one of the most boring and irrelevant halftime shows ever, with a theme of “A Small World Salute to 25 Years of the Super Bowl”. The show featured the New Kids on the Block performing some of their songs, such as “Step by Step”, “This One’s for the Children”, and “Hangin’ Tough”, as well as a rendition of “It’s a Small World” with a choir of children. The show also used Disney characters, balloons, and flags. The halftime show was a snooze of cheesiness, blandness, and childishness.
- Coldplay, Beyoncé, and Bruno Mars (2016): The British rock band delivered one of the most underwhelming and overshadowed halftime shows ever, with a theme of “Past, Present, and Future”. The show featured Coldplay performing some of their songs, such as “Viva la Vida”, “Paradise”, and “Adventure of a Lifetime”, as well as collaborations with Beyoncé and Bruno Mars, who performed “Formation” and “Uptown Funk”, respectively. The show also used colorful flowers, fireworks, and a montage of previous halftime shows. The halftime show was a flop of mediocrity, mismatch, and forgetfulness.
- The Who (2010): The British rock band delivered one of the most dull and dated halftime shows ever, with a theme of “The Who’s Hits”. The show featured the Who performing some of their songs, such as “Baba O’Riley”, “Pinball Wizard”, and “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, as well as a light show and a stage shaped like their logo. The show also used fireworks, smoke, and lasers. The halftime show was a bore of oldness, tiredness, and repetitiveness.