With the Superbowl all done and dusted for the year, no one’s bothered about the result and everyone seems to be talking about Adam Levine’s halftime show. Over the years, whose halftime shows have garnered the most attention and who has left the biggest impression?
1. Coldplay (feat. Bruno Mars and Beyonce) 61 million views
In 2016, Coldplay exploded in Technicolor at their halftime show. However, the British pop band were outshined when they were joined by Queen B and Bruno Mars.
2. Bruno Mars 50 million views
Bruno Mars stole hearts, and views, in 2014, performing at Superbowl 48. His dance moves and impressive vocals gained him over 50 million views.
3. Katy Perry 48 million views
Katy Perry made the world smile as she sang about her “California Girls” and “Teenage Dreams” at Superbowl 49, in 2015. Her cutesy fun set, combined with her upbeat dance numbers still has people feeling nostalgic for only a few years ago, leaving comments like: “Just came to see a real halftime show after another flop for this year’s Superbowl.”
4. Lady Gaga 47 million views
Gaga got all of the monsters to raise their paws for Superbowl 51 in 2017. The flamboyant performance brought a fresh voice to the usually conservative institution that is the NFL.
5. Michael Jackson 32 million views
For many, the king of pop’s halftime show is the most iconic of them all. His timeless numbers, paired with his show stopping fashion, left many speechless.
6. Prince 30 million views
Even mother nature was on Prince’s side as rain down-poured over his performance of “Purple Rain.” For any other artist, the storm could have ruined their performance. But for Prince, it made it historic.
7. Beyonce 22 million views
Beyonce’s 2013 halftime show ranks surprisingly low, at 7th place, with 22 million views. At the height of her “Single Ladies” era, Beyonce pulled out an intense, well structured, performance, which people look back on with nostalgia.
8. Madonna 16 million views
Madonna brought back the fantasy in 2012. Performing all her classics, she took us to a time of pure chic and classic pop, with more than a dash of sex appeal.
9. Justin Timberlake 12 million views
There was a lot of hype surrounding Justin Timberlake’s performance in 2018, due to the Janet Jackson nip slip that happened the last time he was on the halftime stage. Rather than wowing the audience, however, he delivered a “laid back and simple” performance.
10. Janet Jackson 6 million views
Here it is, the one you were waiting for, the performance that follows Janet Jackson around like a bad smell. The shocking nip slip, during JT’s cameo in Janet Jackson’s halftime show, has become legend, with many now hailing it as a feminist milestone. But when it comes down to it, poor Janet just slipped her nip – in front of millions of people.
So there you go – the kings and queens of the halftime show! Now we must wait for next year’s act to be announced. Based on the reaction from musicians such as Rhianna and Usher, next year’s artist will no doubt spark controversy.
“Dwight Clark and Everson Walls, San Francisco, Calif., 1982” by cliff1066™ is licensed under CC BY
