The Balancing Act Recaps the Best Super Bowl Halftime Performances

Did you know the most-watched musical performance every year is the Super Bowl halftime show? It is the tradition among traditions that has featured some of the world’s biggest stars from Madonna to Prince to Bruno Mars. Every year the Super Bowl halftime show brings a thrilling 20 minutes of fireworks, special cameos, and splashy entrances to keep you glued to your TV. This year will be no different with multi-time Grammy-winning artist Usher set to headline to 2024 Super Bowl halftime show.

Surprisingly, not every Super Bowl halftime show has been a success. We all have seen a handful that were a complete flop, but we’ve also seen plenty of iconic performances. So, while we anticipate this year’s performance, let’s look at the best Super Bowl halftime shows ever.

U2 (2002)

Less than five months after the Sept. 11 attacks, U2 brought their heart-shaped stage to the biggest musical stage in the world. The most memorable part of their performance was their tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragic 9/11 attacks. They played “Where the Streets Have No Name,” while scrolling through a list of all the victims who perished that day. Bono finished the song by opening his jacket revealing the stars and stripes in its lining.

Lady Gaga (2017)

Lady Gage had one of the most memorable entrances to any Super Bowl halftime show. The Grammy award-winning artist opened with a medley of “God Bless America” and “This Land Is Your Land” from the roof of NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Until the New York City native jumped from the roof and landed on the stage to perform “Poker Face,” “Born This Way,” “Bad Romance,” and more.

Beyonce (2013)

Beyonce started her show by emerging from a cloud of smoke was an iconic enterance. Queen Bee played hit songs like “Love On Top” and “Crazy in Love” before adding a surprise no one thought we would get. The “Halo” singer reunited with her former co-members in Destiny’s Child during her performance. Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams shot out from under the stage to join Beyonce for “Bootylicious,” “Independent Women,” and “Single Ladies.” This was the first time Destiny’s Child appeared together since their breakup in 2006, so it was a real treat for fans to witness.

Prince (2007)

Prince is known for his erotically charged performances. But his Super Bowl halftime show in 2007 in Miami Gardens, Florida was a one for the ages. The “Let’s Go Crazy” singer wore his orange and blue suit and played on his iconic odd, shaped guitar. Prince rocked through his classic songs like “Proud Mary” and “All Along the Watchtower,” but it was his performance for “Purple Rain” that stole the show. While Prince was playing Purple Rain in front of a pumped-up football crowd, it started to downpour in Florida, making it one of the most memorable and greatest halftime performances of all time.

This will be the first time in Usher’s career that he will headline the Super Bowl halftime show. He got a taste of the big stage in 2011 when he made a surprise appearance for the Back Eyed Peas halftime show in Arlington Texas. The game is set to start at 6:30 pm EST on February 11. The Kansas City Chiefs will face off against the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas, Nevada.

What is your favorite Super Bowl halftime performance?