The world is gearing up for one of the biggest global events of the year. With the Super Bowl coming this Sunday, American football fans will be watching intently as Philadelphia Eagles take on Kansas City Chiefs for the biggest prize in the NFL season at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The rest of us, for many of whom that means absolutely nothing, will be watching for the Apple Music Halftime Show, AKA the musical return of superstar Rihanna, who will perform live music for the first time since 2018.
Rihanna’s triumphant return to music has potential to become one of the greatest Super Bowl half-time shows of all time, but while we wait to see what tricks the Bajan sensation has up her sleeve, now is a great time to look back at those who previously graced the football field, to provide moments we will never forget.
Here are five of the best Super Bowl performances of all time:
Shakira and Jennifer Lopez (2020)
Shakira and Jennifer Lopez teamed up for a hotly anticipated stage collaboration at Super Bowl LIV that had millions of viewers glued to their sofas.
Shakira opened proceedings with an energetic rendition of her classic She Wolf, which had the stadium jumping and screaming. Her segment of the performance had everything, from her playing guitar, to a belly dance to traditional Arabic music, and of course, all the hits, including Whenever, Wherever.
The Latin American star brought out compatriot Bad Bunny too, for a performance of rapper Cardi B’s smash hit I Like It, in which he features.
Her sultry tongue-wagging during the performance of her most recognisable track Hips Don’t Lie provided the night’s viral moment.
Then in comes Jennifer Lopez, whose own discography is none-too-shabby, with a hit-packed set list starting with Jenny From The Block, and including tracks like Get Right and Ain’t It Funny.
In a nod to her Golden Globe nominated appearance in movie Hustlers, the star took to the stage on a giant stripper pole during her dance break to her track Waiting for Tonight, and also brought out fellow Latin American singer J Balvin to roars from the crowd.
Shakira and JLO eventually came together for Shakira’s World Cup song Waka Waka before the Hips Don’t Lie singer went into a dance break to an exotic Central African infused instrumental. JLO, of course, followed this up with an Americana rework of her track Let’s Get Loud before a booty-shaking finale.
Both Shakira and Jennifer Lopez could easily have held this slot on their own but together, they stopped the world, just before before the world stopped – COVID lockdowns would follow quickly afterwards.
With over 260 million views on YouTube, it’s one of the most viewed half-time performances of all time on the platform.
Katy Perry (2015)
A TV peak audience of 118.5 million viewers tuned into this one. Hardly surprising; at the time of her Super Bowl performance, Katy Perry was still undoubtedly the biggest pop star in the world – and all eyes were on the California girl.
She certainly delivered, setting the tone by turning up on the field atop a giant metallic lion to her monster hit Roar.
Indeed, every song Perry performed was a number one on US Billboard Hot 100, and her instantly recognisable tracks meant she got maximum crowd participation.
Not many artists would be bold enough to let the crowd sing a verse in a performance as huge as the Super Bowl, but it speaks to Perry’s cast-iron popularity than when she performed California Gurls, the whole stadium screamed “where the grass is really greener” – though even the singer admitted she was anxious, in case no one joined in.
It’s been 8 years since Katy Perry headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show and she still holds the record for the most watched show ever with 118.5 million viewers ✨ pic.twitter.com/XWpXXXOXzp
— cameron (@camruined) February 2, 2023
Special guests included Lenny Kraviz, who played guitar to I Kissed a Girl, and Missy Elliott, who performed Get Ur Freak On with Perry.
She ended with Firework, of course, and provided the obligatory viral moment when one of the dancers to her left, dressed as a shark, fell out of line with the choreography, leading to the Left Shark meme proliferating across the internet.
Prince (2007)
The legendary artist brought his own special brand of spectacular to Super Bowl XLI, kicking off with his track Let’s Go Crazy, and playing searing electric guitar to a rapturous audience.
Prince rolled out the hits seamlessly, bringing out a marching band for his classic 1999, before covering Tina Turner’s Proud Mary with singer Shelby Johnson.
The singer truly left the best till last though, performing Purple Rain under dim lighting while the crowd waved flashing lights, before breaking into yet another roaring guitar solo, backed by a marching band glow in the dark costumes, circling the stadium with trumpets and saxophones.
Though his Super Bowl show was all the way back in 2007, it has clocked almost 50 million views on YouTube after being uploaded in 2016.
Michael Jackson (1993)
Michael Jackson became the first star to turn the halftime show into a real spectacle.
Before the King of Pop took to the stage, the half-time show was mainly a marching band affair, used as a break for fans and spectators during the game.
In comes Jackson, in his prime, with his unrivalled star power, extravagant outfits, catalogue of smash hits and eye-catching dance breaks, and the game was changed forever.
bro michael jackson's entrance on the super bowl halftime show is undefeated! he turned it into a concert that includes a game. maaan that's legend right there.#MichaelJackson #SuperBowl #NFL
— Mike Jack | fan acc (@superflythrill_) September 24, 2022
pic.twitter.com/JQ9zy1XIdh
Appearing on various screens before launching onto the stage, Jackson was met with wild applause before even lifting a finger, he simply stood still and soaked in the appreciation. Even a simple turn of the head was met with huge cheers from the audience.
Billie Jean and Black or White kicked off a medley of greatest hits, ending with Heal the World, which must have been almost a relief for the crowd, with Jackson slowing the pace down and weaving his way through a packed out field as a giant globe was raised.
Beyoncé (2013)
Arguably the best half-time performance of all time, Beyoncé put on a huge show that lifted the bar to another level.
The NFL were looking to bolster the half-time show after Madonna’s uncharacteristically underwhelming performance in 2012. They eventually sign up Queen Bey for the spot – and the rest is history.
Beyoncé started her set with Crazy In Love to a huge eruption of cheers from the crowd, with her ever powerful vocals and brilliant dance breaks setting the tone.
Band introductions followed during End of Time, accompanied by immaculate choreography, before a belter of a rendition of Baby Boy, with animated versions of Beyoncé taking backing dancer duties on a huge screen.
Just as you thought things couldn’t get any better, in came Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams for a Destiny’s Child reunion. Performing Independent Women Part I to huge fanfare, they then broke into Beyoncé’s iconic Single Ladies.
The end of the show-stopping performance was a stunning rendition of Halo – so powerful, in fact, that it knocked out the electricity at the Super Bowl, famously leaving Caesars Superdome in a Beyoncé blackout.
On the grandest stage of them all, it really doesn’t get any more epic than that.
