Who Gave the Best Super Bowl Halftime Show?

by Amelia Walker, March 10, 2023

The Super Bowl Halftime Show is one of the most iconic yearly events in the American calendar, and it’s come a long way, growing from a small marching band to a blockbuster concert featuring some of the biggest names in the music industry. It’s viewed by tens of millions of people, and on this page, we’re going to show you the best Super Bowl halftime show.

• What Is The Best Super Bowl Halftime Show?
• The Best Super Bowl Performances
• Prince – No Explanation Needed
• U2 – Bono Takes The Limelight
• Dr. Dre & Friends
• Madonna – A Musical Icon
• Bruce Spingsteen & Co
• Beyonce – The Queen of Pop

What is the Top Super Bowl Halftime Show Ever?

Asking “what is the best Super Bowl Halftime show ever?” is a hard question. Many viewers will have their own opinions, depending on their own personal preferences and musical tastes. However, there are some iconic performances that simply can’t be forgotten – and on this page, we’re going to look at some of the best of the best.

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The Best Super Bowl Performances

Back when the Super Bowl halftime show debuted in 1967, nobody could have predicted what it would one day end up becoming. Today, millions of eyeballs watch the halftime show in great detail – and we’re going to look at some of the best Super Bowl performances on this page.

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Prince (2007)

Prince had long been known for putting on extravagant, erotic, and often lewd performances, which is why many fans were surprised to learn that he’d be leading the halftime show during the 2007 Super Bowl. What’s more, his performance was taking place just three years after the disastrous “Nipplegate” incident – and some fans were worried a repeat could be around the corner.

They needn’t have worried, however, and as soon as Prince took the stage – wielding his iconic purple guitar – the incredible genius of this brilliant performer soon showed.

Prince started playing through some iconic hits – including Let’s Go Crazy, released in 1999, along with Proud Mary, and All Along the Watchtower. However, it was when he started playing Purple Rain that things started to get crazy – and the entire stadium erupted in awe, with tens of thousands of fans singing their lungs out as they sang along with him.

Interestingly, it was raining for most of Prince’s performance – but many regard it as the number one halftime show in the Super Bowl’s history, and it’s unlikely that we’ll see anyone get the crowd going as much as he did.

U2 (2002)

U2 is an Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 1976, and they are one of the most well-loved and respected bands in history. The group includes Bono (vocals and guitar), The Edge (guitar, keyboard, and vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen Jr. (drums and percussion). Together, they’ve released some 14 different studio albums and are one of the best-selling music artists in the world.

Together, they’ve sold more than 150 million records around the world, and while their early sound was rooted in post-punk, they gradually shifted over to a more popular, modern style of music.

When U2 performed at the halftime show during the 2002 Super Bowl, it was just five months after the attacks on 9/11, and the band performed on a heart-shaped stage in respect. They began their set with “Beautiful Day”, but then played a special tribute song to the 9/11 victims, Where the Streets Have No Name, and during the song, a scrolling backdrop showed the names of all those who died in the attacks.

U2 were widely praised for their classy, yet energetic performance – and some say it was exactly what America needed at a time when so many were still grieving. What has been the best Super Bowl halftime show? Ask many fans, and they’ll say U2’s performance is definitely up there.

Dr. Dre & Friends (2022)

The 2022 Super Bowl was held at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California – and when Dr. Dre & Friends performed, it was the first time that hip hop got its chance to shine at the event. Fans were ecstatic as some of the world’s other major rappers, including Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and Eminem, joined Dr. Dre on stage – and 50 Cent later made an appearance, bringing together some of the biggest names in rap and hip hop.

Some saw this halftime show as more than just music; they saw it as a way of doing away with negative stereotypes about rap music and the black community, and the show ended up being the first to win a top program Emmy, scooping in the “outstanding variety special” category.

Madonna (2012)

Madonna wasn’t alone in performing at the Super Bowl halftime show. She was joined by a cheerleading squad that included LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A, and CeeLo Green. With Roman soldiers accompanying the artists, they were all carried out on a golden throne while “Vogue” played in the background. Shortly after, LMFAO’s Party Rock Anthem played, and it’s fair to say the stadium went crazy.

There was one controversy during the performance, however; M.I.A gave the middle finger, and this caused some concerns for organizers, but the rest of the performance went down without a hitch, and it was a memorable performance to say the least!

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (2009)

Bruce Springsteen spent 12 minutes during the 2009 Super Bowl absolutely hammering away at his guitar – and he encouraged fans to put their phones away to really get into the moment. Interestingly, Springsteen had previously turned down a number of requests to perform at the Super Bowl, but in 2009, he finally decided it was the right time to get up on stage.

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band performed just four songs – but when they started to play “10th Avenue Freeze Out”, the crowd erupted, and it’s no surprise that the act became one of the most popular halftime show performances ever.

Beyonce (2013)

There’s definitely an argument for saying Beyonce’s performance at the 2013 Super Bowl halftime show was the best ever – but again, it depends on personal preferences. She emerged onto the stage in a cloud of smoke, and entertained fans with Love on Top and Crazy in Love, before she was joined by Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams – who both appeared “magically” from under the stage to join Beyonce for Bootylicious, Independent Women, and Single Ladies.

During the halftime show, numerous backup dancers surrounded her, and there were some state-of-the-art graphics and animations playing in the background that helped to captivate viewers.

It’s incredibly hard to narrow down the best Super Bowl halftime shows, so we’re going to also show you a few more worthy contenders below.