10 Years of Super Bowl Halftime Entertainment

For many, the Super Bowl is only as exciting as the Super Bowl halftime entertainment. Though the first Super Bowl took place in 1967, the only Super Bowl halftime entertainment that appeared was a performance of the Universities of Arizona and Michigan Bands^[1]. Though singer and performer Carol Channing appeared as the Super Bowl halftime entertainment in Super Bowl IV in 1970, it wasn't until Super Bowl XXII in 1988 that the Super Bowl halftime entertainment was not based solely on university or high school bands or dance teams^[1].Some would call this an end of an era and football traditions. Others would consider it an exciting addition to football's biggest game. Here's a look back at the Super Bowl halftime entertainment over the past ten years, including the major highlights from that years' game.

1999 Super Bowl Halftime Entertainment

Super Bowl XXXIII, a standoff between the Denver Broncos and the Atlanta Falcons, is best known as John Elway's last game^[2]. The 34-19 Bronco victory was a result of a number of Falcon mistakes including "two interceptions, missing a field goal, and turning the ball over one time on downs during the other possessions," according to NFL.com. Could it be that the Falcons skipped the halftime pep talk and watched the Super Bowl halftime entertainment instead? They would have caught a lively show of Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy jamming out to the 1999 Super Bowl halftime entertainment theme of celebrating swing, soul, and salsa^[1]. It's too bad the Falcons couldn't "Turn the Beat Around" as Ms. Estefan suggested during her performance.

2000 Super Bowl Halftime Entertainment

The first Super Bowl of the new millennium, Super Bowl XXXIV made nail-biting history with the 23-16 victory of the St. Louis Rams over the Tennessee Titans. St. Louis led 9-0 at halftime and everything was going peachy for those Rams. The Super Bowl halftime entertainment pumped up the crowd with performances by Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Inglesias, and Toni Braxton, all backed up by a large choir and symphony orchestra. Apparently the Disney-themed Super Bowl halftime entertainment also pumped up the Titans because they came back from a 16-0 deficit in the 3^rd quarter, putting the game at a close 16-13 Rams lead. It didn't take the Rams long to get their head back in the game and away from thoughts of Phil Collins in khaki cargo pants, however. They allowed only one more field goal, and went on to become the Super Bowl XXXIV champs.

2001 Super Bowl Halftime Entertainment

The Baltimore Ravens, coming off a near perfect football season, were set to battle the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV. The Ravens dominated the game, allowing only a touchdown and extra point, and breaking records with three consecutive touchdowns within 36 seconds^[3]. If the game proved too depressing for Giants fans and players alike, the Super Bowl halftime entertainment surely sparked some fun. Themed "The Kings of Rock and Pop^[1]," the Super Bowl halftime entertainment included performances from sleeveless Aerosmith, shiny-wardrobed *N'SYNC, football-chic Nelly, scantily clad Britney Spears, and bling-belted Mary J. Blige. In the end, the Ravens won out 34-7, sealing their seemingly flawless season.

2002 Super Bowl Halftime Entertainment

Super Bowl XXXVI served as a crushing reminder to the New England Patriots that "It ain't over 'till it's over" as Yogi Berra so intelligently noted. The New England Patriots fought hard from the outset and skipped into the locker room with a 14-3 lead at halftime. The Super Bowl halftime entertainment in 2002 did not need a number of pop artists to hold audiences captive. Instead, U2 gave a heartfelt and powerful performance in tribute to the tragic attacks of 9/11. American flags were everywhere and tears flowed from the audience, as the names of 9/11 victims appeared on a screen behind the band that stretched into the sky during the powerful and poignant "Where the Streets Have No Name." After the Super Bowl halftime entertainment ended and the game resumed, the St. Louis Rams had merely 1:30 left in the 4^th quarter to tie the game^[4]. Fortunately for the Patriots, the Rams were unable to succeed, giving the Patriots a 20-17 victory.

2003 Super Bowl Halftime Entertainment

If the final score of Super Bowl XXXVII leads you to believe that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominated, then your assumption is fairly correct. Aided by perfectly timed interceptions and five crushing sacks^[5], the Buccaneers triumphed over the favored Oakland Raiders with a 48-21 victory. Shania Twain kicked off the Super Bowl halftime entertainment with "Man! I Feel Like a Woman," appealing to the dudes with her thigh high boots and shiny, skimpy top. Sting and No Doubt wrapped up the Super Bowl halftime entertainment with an odd performance of Sting's Message in a Bottle.

2004 Super Bowl Halftime Entertainment

Super Bowl XXXVIII was initially a bit boring as it took a "record 26 minutes and 55 seconds for the first points to be scored^[6]." The game picked up soon enough, and remained close as a result of field goal misses, fumbles, and interceptions. In the end, the New England Patriots won out over the Carolina Panthers 32-29. Where the game lacked memorable plays, the Super Bowl halftime entertainment made up for it with gusto. Known as the infamous "wardrobe malfunction," Justin Timberlake got upfront and personal with Janet Jackson's goods, timed succinctly to the lyrics "Gonna have you naked by the end of this song." Oh yeah, P. Diddy, Kid Rock, and Nelly had performances too, but chances are no one remembers their part of the Super Bowl halftime entertainment.

2005 Super Bowl Halftime Entertainment

The New England Patriots made history in Super Bowl XXXIX by "becoming the eighth team to post consecutive Super Bowl titles^[7]." The Philadelphia Eagles didn't allow the Patriots to win without a fight, however. The Eagles succeeded in tying the game up at halftime, but in the end, the Patriots reigned victorious with a 24-21 win over the Eagles. In the wake of the Janet/Justin wardrobe fiasco in Super Bowl XXXVIII, the Super Bowl halftime entertainment was solely made up of Paul McCartney, presumably for the fact that he wouldn't do anything that required censorship or network backpedaling. Paul McCartney's Super Bowl halftime entertainment lacked the bells and whistles of the previous years' performances, as the networks went with a "safe" choice for Super Bowl halftime entertainment.

2006 Super Bowl Halftime Entertainment

Super Bowl XL made history for Seattle sports as the Seattle Seahawks made their first ever Super Bowl appearance. Unfortunately, the Seahawks were unable to take home a ring as the Pittsburg Steelers won out with a 21-10 victory. Controversy plagues this Super Bowl game, however, with questionable calls by the officiating crew. The Super Bowl halftime entertainment became a little more rock-n-roll than the previous year's performance when the Rolling Stones lit up the stage and performed a number of their hits, ending the Super Bowl halftime Entertainment with "Satisfaction." It's too bad the Seahawks couldn't have left the game satisfied.

2007 Super Bowl Halftime Entertainment

Known as one of the wettest Super Bowl games in history, Super Bowl XLI was played between the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears. The conditions made the game slippery and created a number of sacks and picks, leading to the final score of 29-17 in favor of the Colts. Taking a step back toward more risque performers, Prince was invited to carry the Super Bowl halftime entertainment on his shoulders. Armed with his famous symbol guitar and standing on a gigantic stage of the same symbol, Prince offered up Super Bowl halftime entertainment in the form of songs like "Purple Rain" and "Lets Go Crazy." Even Prince wasn't immune to Super Bowl halftime entertainment controversy, when he stepped behind a large sheet with his guitar protruding from his nether region. This time however, it was less a "wardrobe malfunction" and likely more of a mistake.

2008 Super Bowl Halftime Entertainment

Possibly one of the most entertaining games in recent Super Bowl history, Super Bowl XLII between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants held football fanatics on the edge of their seat. The Patriots entered Super Bowl XLII with an undefeated season behind them, where they had previously conquered 38-35 over the Giants. This time, it was the Giants' turn to win, though it was still close with a final score of 17-14. The Super Bowl halftime entertainment included Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers who performed some of their bests, including "Free Falling." Tom Petty's Super Bowl halftime entertainment performance was the perfect "kickoff to their 2008 world tour^[8]."

2009 Super Bowl Halftime Entertainment

This year's Super Bowl match-up is, as of press date, still undetermined. The Super Bowl halftime entertainment, however was decided back in September. The Super Bowl halftime entertainment for Super Bowl XLIII will be provided by none other than Bruce Springsteen. Bruce Springsteen's Super Bowl halftime entertainment contribution will continue the trend of oldie but goodie rock stars taking the stage in front of millions of adoring fans.

2010 Super Bowl Halftime Entertainment

What kind of Super Bowl halftime entertainment will be booked for next year's football extravaganza? My guess is that the 2010 Super Bowl halftime entertainment will be performed by the likes of Madonna, Aerosmith, the Red Hot Chili Peppers (they are getting on in age, after all), or some other aging, yet not too old rock star. Only time will tell!

Sources:

^[1] http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history/entertainment

^[2]http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history/recap/sbxxxiii

^[3] http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history/recap/sbxxxv

^[4] http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history/recap/sbxxxvi

^[5] http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history/recap/sbxxxvii

^[6] http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history/recap/sbxxxviii

^[7] http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history/recap/sbxxxix

^[8] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_bowl_xlii

-All other stats and scores referenced from nfl.com