January 31, 2016 Sunday
There have been years when the Super Bowl Halftime Show was more entertaining than the actual game.
And there have been times when the show was, well, not so super.
With Coldplay and other acts ready to blow us away -- or at least try to -- Feb. 7 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, here's how we rank the Super Bowl Halftime Shows, from best to worst, of the 21st century.
1. Super Bowl XLIX (2015)
Starring: Katy Perry
Location: University of Phoenix Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
The skinny: Perry definitely scored with this incredibly elaborate, amazingly orchestrated pop spectacle, which currently stands as the best halftime show in Super Bowl history. The multiplatinum pop star roared through her seven-song set, delivering a performance that was fun, flashy and fantastic. Everything worked, from the bold opening segment (with Perry riding onto the field atop a giant golden tiger) to the closer (a bright "Fireworks," sung aboard a shooting star). Guest appearances by Lenny Kravitz, Missy Elliott and the Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band added to the fun.
2. Super Bowl XXXVI (2002)
Starring: U2
Location: Louisiana Superdome (New Orleans)
The skinny: U2 frontman Bono seems to save his best for when the spotlights are at their brightest. Naturally, Bono was able to lead his legendary Irish rock band through an incredibly moving set, delivered in tribute to those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
3. Super Bowl XLVII (2013)
Starring: Beyonce
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome (New Orleans)
The skinny: Beyonce reunited Destiny's Child, leading the platinum-selling R&B-pop outfit through the hits "Bootylicious" and "Independent Women Part I" (but, sadly, no "Survivor"). She also capitalized on her own songbook, belting out fine versions of "Baby Boy" and "Halo." Yet, Queen Bey really missed an opportunity by not having her hubby, Jay Z, join the party on "Crazy in Love."
4. Super Bowl (2005)
Starring: Paul McCartney
Location: EverBank Field (Jacksonville, Florida)
The skinny: You can always bet on this Beatle to rise to the occasion -- just ask those who saw McCartney perform the final show at Candlestick Park in San Francisco in 2014. Sir Paul certainly lived up to his legendary status at the Super Bowl, performing such Beatles classics as "Drive My Car" and "Get Back" as well as the Wings' "Live and Let Die." The show closed with the ultimate singalong -- "Hey Jude." Of course, it did.
5. Super Bowl XXXV (2001)
Starring: Aerosmith, 'N Sync, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Nelly
Location: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
The skinny: It Apparently the too-many-cooks rule doesn't necessarily apply to Super Bowl halftimes. The lineup served up a nice mix of top acts from a number of different genres, delivering a show thaty appealed to many different generations. The whole crew came together at the finale, for an all-star jam through Aerosmith's classic "Walk This Way." Fourteen years later, it's a trip to see Britney and Justin Timberlake (of 'N Sync) working the stage together.
6. Super Bowl XLVIII (2014)
Starring: Bruno Mars
Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
The skinny: Mars exhibited equal amounts of charisma, talent and pure star power as he performed "Locked Out of Heaven, "Treasure" and other hits. He also had some help from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who dished out a rowdy "Give It Away." But the best part of the show occurred when active military personnel stationed away from home, appeared in videos to dedicate the evening's final number -- the beautiful "Just the Way You Are" -- to their loved ones. It was a poignant closing segment.
7. Super Bowl XLII (2008)
Starring: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Location: University of Phoenix Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
The skinny: You can't go wrong with Petty and the Heartbreakers, one of the greatest American rock bands of all time. The group stuck to the A-list material, revving through such fan favorites as "Free Fallin'" and "American Girl." The show ended in triumphant fashion, as master guitarist Mike Campbell accelerated through that epic lead in "Runnin' Down a Dream."
8. Super Bowl XLI (2007)
Location: Sun Life Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
Starring: Prince
The skinny: The Purple One seemed to relish the situation, appearing before a packed stadium and millions of TV viewers. Fans certainly dug it, as Prince blasted through "Let's Go Crazy," "Baby I'm a Star" and other favorites. Of course, he'd close the with an epic "Purple Rain."
9. Super Bowl XLIII (2009)
Starring: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Location: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
The skinny: Broooooce! Finally, Mr. Springsteen and his legendary E Street Band appeared on the halftime show. The group certainly didn't disappoint as it delivered a four-song set highlighted, of course, by the anthem "Born to Run."
10. Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004)
Starring: Janet Jackson, P. Diddy, Nelly, Kid Rock and Justin Timberlake
Location: Reliant Stadium (Houston)
The skinny: This halftime show will forever be remembered for Janet Jackson's infamous "wardrobe malfunction." That's understandable, but certainly unfortunate. Wardrobe malfunction aside, this "Rock the Vote"-themed show featured some strong musical performances from Jackson, Kid Rock and the other all-stars.
11. Super Bowl XLVI (2012)
Starring: Madonna
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, Indiana)
The skinny: The Material Girl and special guests LMFAO, M.I.A. and Cee Lo Green combined for a fairly satisfying halftime show. The good news was that Madonna stuck mainly to the well-known hits -- such as "Like a Prayer" and "Vogue" -- and performed only one new song, the slightly above average "Give Me All Your Luvin.'" Plus, LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem" and "Sexy and I Know It" were good additions.
12. Super Bowl XLV (2011)
Starring: The Black Eyed Peas
Location: Cowboys Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
The skinny: The space-age theme, with dancers in "Tron"-like outfits, didn't work all that well. Plus, there were some sound issues that marred the production. But the performances were still fairly strong. The best moments occurred when the guest stars came onboard, with Fergie teaming with guitarist Slash on Guns N' Roses' immortal "Sweet Child O' Mine" and then will.i.am joining Usher for "OMG."
13. Super Bowl XXXVII (2003)
Starring: Shania Twain, No Doubt, Sting
Location: Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego)
The skinny: This show didn't jell well overall, coming across more like a doubleheader (first Twain, then No Doubt and Sting) than one cohesive production. Still, Twain was definitely on her game, exhibiting her megawatt star power. And it was fun to see Sting and No Doubt's Gwen Stefani share vocals on the Police's "Message in a Bottle."
14. Super Bowl XL (2006)
Starring: The Rolling Stones
Location: Ford Field (Detroit)
The skinny: Talk about no satisfaction, this show was O but should've been way better. How do you book the Stones and let them play only three songs? Especially when one of those three songs is "Rough Justice," a cut from 2005's forgettable "A Bigger Bang?" Oh, well, at least we got to see Mick, Keith and the guys do "Start Me Up" and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction."
15. Super Bowl XLIV (2010)
Starring: The Who
Location: Sun Life Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
The Who -- which once ranked among rock's all-time greatest live acts -- was well past its prime when it took the field. Still, it's hard to go wrong with a set list that includes "Pinball Wizard," "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "Baba O'Riley."
16. Super Bowl XXXIV (2000)
Starring: Tina Turner, Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Toni Braxton
Location: Georgia Dome (Atlanta)
The skinny: The Disney-produced spectacle was a mess, filled with Epcot imagery, heavy Edward James Olmos voice-over narration and overblown tunes that sound like they were written to be played over the credits in some animated movie. Worst of all, it featured (shudder) Phil Collins singing "You'll Be in My Heart" from 1999's "Tarzan." It's amazing viewers stuck around to watch the second half of the game.
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