5 of the Most Iconic Super Bowl Halftime Performances of All Time

Before tonight’s big game, take a look back at some of the most legendary Super Bowl halftime performances in history.

Written by Delaney Davis

The Super Bowl is the celebration of weeks of blood, sweat, and tears put in by the football players lucky enough to compete within the National Football League. But for many of us, the night is simply a concert interrupted by a football game.

Rather than just serving as filler to keep audiences entertained between halves, many Super Bowl halftime shows seem to cause time to stand still, cementing their place in music history forever.

Before Shakira and Jennifer Lopez take the stage tonight, take a trip down memory lane and reminisce on some of the most iconic Super Bowl halftime performances of all time.

Patti Labelle and Tony Bennett (1995)

This halftime show wasn’t a performance — it was a full-fledged musical theater production. Disney planned the show and based it around an Indiana Jones plot line to promote an upcoming Indiana Jones-themed ride coming to Disneyland. Based around the idea that the Vince Lombardi trophy had been stolen and whisked away to the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, the show followed Indiana Jones and his girlfriend Marion Ravenwood attempting to take back the trophy. The storyline is embellished with features that don’t seem to really fit together — shirtless dancers, men on stilts, drum-playing cobras, and of course, Patti Labelle and Tony Bennett.

The Godmother of Soul began the show with a rendition of her song “Release Yourself,” clad in a purple sequined costume that looks straight out of Yzma’s wardrobe in “The Emperor’s New Groove.” Big band legend Tony Bennett followed with a laid-back jazz tune, and the two then joined forces for a performance of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from “The Lion King,” released just a year before in 1994. While not the best in terms of set design or display of vocal talent, this show is among the most fun to watch — simply because it doesn’t make any sense.

N’Sync, Britney Spears, Aerosmith, and Mary J. Blige (2001)

Before his infamous 2004 Super Bowl incident, Justin Timberlake and the rest of N’Sync took the Super Bowl stage in 2001 for a performance that celebrated the best of the ‘90s and early ‘00s. The boys opened with the classic “Bye Bye Bye” donning all the shiny leather and spiked tips you could ask for. Aerosmith then appeared on stage for a performance of their song “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing,” written for the 1998 disaster film “Armageddon.” The two bands then take turns performing some of their most beloved hits.

The most iconic moment of the show is at the end, when Britney Spears joins both bands for Aerosmith’s “Walk this Way.” The Princess of Pop’s signature raspy singing voice makes this classic song seem brand new, and Mary. J Blige’s surprise appearance at the end gives this performance even more star power.

Prince (2007)

Prince performed “Purple Rain” in the rain in what many critics believe to be the best Super Bowl performance ever. Looking back on the show now, the only indication of any downpour is the occasional specks of water on the camera lens — Prince delivers a performance so effortless that it’s hard to believe that the weather was anything less than perfect.

Along with his own classics, Prince throws in covers of rock staples like “Proud Mary” and “We Will Rock You,” complete with all the legendary guitar solos that have come to define his career. The show also combined extravagance with subtlety, featuring both a stage and guitar in the shape of an ankh for that classic Prince flair.

Prince’s masterful stage presence made his inclusion on this list an absolute no-brainer. When it comes to Super Bowl halftime shows, he set the blueprint and has served as a model for all other artists to follow.

Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child (2013)

Photo courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter

Barely over a year after giving birth to her first child, Blue Ivy, Beyoncé lit the stage in arguably the most anticipated Super Bowl performance of all time and earned herself a spot as one of the greatest live performers alive. While everyone knew that Beyoncé would give the performance of a lifetime, no one predicted what she would pull out of her sleeve. Queen B gave a modern, updated twist to some of her oldest hits, such as “Crazy in Love” and “Baby Boy,” complete with stunning visual elements, even including an electric guitar adorned with sparklers. It was both everything and nothing like fans expected.

To top it all off, Destiny’s Child joined Beyoncé for “Bootylicious” and “Independent Women (Part One).” Before exiting the stage, Kelly and Michelle teamed up with their former groupmate for “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” making everyone wish that a studio version of the track featuring all three of them actually existed. Beyoncé ended halftime with a stripped down version of her ballad “Halo” that showed off the true extent of her vocal talent.

Lady Gaga (2017)

Like the Bey Hive, little monsters had no idea what to expect from Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl performance, but they knew it was certain to capture the attention of millions, given her past onstage spectacles. The star certainly did not disappoint, beginning her performance on top of the stadium’s roof while singing “God Bless America” and Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land.” In classic Gaga style, red, white, and blue drones assembled to form the American flag behind her before she jumped off of the roof down to the stage below. (This moment sparked the creation of several hilarious memes.)

She walked us through her career by performing some of her earliest singles, including “Poker Face” and “Just Dance.” She even busted out her keytar for the latter, reminding the audience of her electropop roots. The most tender moment of the night came during her rendition of “Million Reasons,” when she played the piano while surrounded by an audience waving around lights in perfect rhythm. Her performance concluded with one of her catchiest hits, “Bad Romance,” a song fitting to end such a high-energy performance.

Only time will tell if Shakira and J.Lo’s halftime performance tonight will deserve a spot in Super Bowl halftime history — but based on past years, it certainly has some stiff competition.

Tune in to Super Bowl LIV tonight at 5:30 PM CST.

Afterglow ATXFebruary 2, 2020superbowl