The Super Bowl has become the biggest sporting event in American sports, but it's the actual halftime performance that has become the most watched. For this Sunday at Super Bowl XLVII, Beyoncé is prepping an epic set that is rumored to include a Destiny's Child reunion and new material of her own, but what about the past?
Below are my picks for the Top 5 Memorable Super Bowl halftime performances ever. If there's any disagreements with my picks please let us know, leave a comment with any suggestions of any performances that should be on the list.
5. Super Bowl XXXV, Aerosmith, 'N Sync and Britney Spears, 2001
2001's epic halftime performance kicked off with 'N Sync's "Bye, Bye, Bye" and lead to Steven Tyler and Aerosmith's performance. The two bands traded songs and verses until the stage erupted with Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" that brought the addition of Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige and Nelly for an original show-stopping rendition of the classic rock song.
4. Super Bowl XLI, Prince, 2007
"Miami Rain" via virtualmatter by virtualmatter
Prince was a curious performance choice, but when he came on stage wielding that purple unpronounceable-symbol-shaped guitar, it's almost as if you knew you were in for a treat. The rocker powered through his own classics ("1999," "Let's Go Crazy") and the classics of others ("Proud Mary," "All Along the Watchtower"). The highlight of his performance, however, had to be when he performed "Purple Rain," which had fans in a frenzy waving their arms and howling in unison. Even today when I watch this performance I have the urge to raise a my lighter in the sky and sing the lyrics with my shirt off. Please don't judge me.
3. Super Bowl XXXVI, U2, 2002
This performance was special being that it came just five months after the tragedies of September 11. U2 performed on their heart shaped stage from their Elevation tour and kicked things off "Beautiful Day." Though the music moved people, it was their tribute that captured the most attention. As the band began to perform "Where the Streets Have No Name," a scrolling backdrop featured the names of all of the victims who perished in the attacks and Bono finished the song by opening his jacket to reveal the stars and stripes in its lining.
2. Super Bowl XXVII, Michael Jackson, 1993
Whenever Michael Jackson performed it was almost as if the world just stopped to watch, and the same could be said during his performance. Even if you felt uncomfortable when Jackson starred off into the crowd for as long as he did, you still watched to see what he would do. Jackson's performance was far from a disappointment as he performed "Jam," "Billie Jean" and "Black or White." MJ then cued up a snippet of "We Are The World" as the crowd turned over cards revealing drawings by the children of Los Angeles. Jackson concluded his performance with "Heal the World," while surrounded by 3,500 youngsters, as a blow-up globe deployed on the 50 yard line.
1. Super Bowl XLVI, Madonna, 2012
Madonna tops the list for the best halftime performance all-time because the ratings for her performance were higher than the actual game. According to TVbytheNumbers.com, Madonna's rating was 48.1 and the average rating for the entire broadcast of Patriots-Giants was 47.8. Those number have placed Madonna in a category of her own as the highest rated performance for a game in Super Bowl History. The material girl entered the entered the field on a golden throne to belt out longtime favorite "Vogue" before being joined by LMFAO for a "Party Rock Anthem"/"Sexy And I Know It" infused take on her 2000 hit "Music." The most talked about moment of the performance had to be when M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj joined her for new single "Gimme Your Luvin'." Madonna concluded her performance with "Like A Prayer" finale, aided by Cee Lo Green and large robed choir, ensured that the 12-minute spectacle ended with the focus right back on the music.
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