The Super Bowl has just come and gone, but we’re still (obviously) obsessing over the halftime show. I mean… JLO and Shakira really did THAT.
Super Bowl halftime shows have always been highly anticipated events. The NFL has previously brought on some of the music industry’s best performers to entertain us, from Queen B and Lady Gaga to the legendary Prince in 2007. Although the Super Bowl didn’t always feature some of the biggest stars in music midway throughout the game, it has turned into a staple part of the sports event since the ’90s.
And thank God for that, else we would have missed the unreal show that JLO and Shakira put on.
Wondering whether or not this year’s Super Bowl performance topped the previous ones? We’ve got you covered.
Scroll on to look back at some of the ultimate Super Bowl halftime shows in history, and decide for yourself.
(Our personal favourite is Beyoncé & Bruno Mars‘ collab in 2016 – fyi.)
1
Prince (2007)
The legendary late icon blessed us with one of the greatest halftime shows in modern memory. Prince didn’t even need extravagant effects for his thrilling show—he performed in the actual rain, giving fans an absolutely epic version of Purple Rain on the football field.
2
Beyoncé (2013)
Queen Bey rocked halftime with a stunning performance that included her hits Love on Top, Crazy in Love, and Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It). Later in the show, Beyoncé invited Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland onstage for an incredible Destiny’s Child reunion.
3
Beyoncé & Bruno Mars’ Mashup (2016)
Beyoncé and Bruno Mars guest starred in the halftime show headlined by Coldplay, but the spotlight belonged to Queen Bey and Mars’ mashup of Formation and Uptown Funk. When these two greats come together on the same stage, it’s magic.
4
Aerosmith, *NSYNC, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige & Nelly (2001)
Can you believe this lineup actually shared the same halftime stage in the beginning of the aughts? Talk about the nostalgia. *NYSNC opened the show with Bye, Bye, Bye, Aerosmith serenaded the audience with I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing, and Blige, Nelly, and Spears joined bands for an epic version of Walk This Way.
5
Katy Perry (2015)
Ahh, the halftime performance that launched a thousand Left Shark memes. In addition, Perry’s performance was delightfully over-the-top: She entered while riding a giant golden lion while singing Roar, then dancing beachballs, sharks, and palm trees took over the stage for Teenage Dream.
6
Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Kid Rock, Nelly & P. Diddy (2004)
Yup, this is the halftime show where the infamous “wardrobe malfunction” happened, but that whole situation sadly overshadowed what was a really spectacular show. Jackson rocked a medley of her best hits, Diddy performed in a big winter coat, and Kid Rock wore an American flag.
7
Lady Gaga (2017)
Before she was out of “The Shallow” in A Star Is Born, Lady Gaga defied gravity and dominated the Super Bowl halftime stage with a medley of her hits, including Poker Face, Telephone, and Just Dance. The Netflix documentary Gaga: Five Foot Two has a behind-the-scenes look at the artist’s days leading up to the big performance, which makes it even more iconic.
8
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (2009)
The Boss knows how to speak to your soul and this performance was no different. “I want you to put the chicken fingers down and turn your television all the way up!” Springsteen told the audience at the start of the show before launching into classics like Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out, Born to Run, and Glory Days.
9
Bruno Mars & the Red Hot Chili Peppers (2014)
Mars sang a bunch of his ubiquitous hit songs from the album Unorthodox Jukebox, including Locked Out of Heaven, Treasure, and Just the Way You Are. He joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers as they jammed out to their classic hit, Give It Away.
10
Madonna, LMFAO, Nicki Minaj & Cee Lo Green (2012)
Madonna got the party started dressed as a golden Greek goddess as she sang Vogue. There’s a medley of her hits, a slackline performer, a random mashup of Music and Party Rock Anthem with LMFAO, and CeeLo joins Madge and a choir to sing Like a Prayer.
11
Black Eyed Peas, Usher & Slash (2011)
Uh, that would be Black Eyed Peas *and* their very large group of futuristic, bizarro Tron-inspired dancers that filled the field. Once the glowing dancers clear the gridiron, Slash (from Guns ‘N’ Roses) accompanied Fergie for the classic track Sweet Child O’ Mine. Naturally, Usher joined the show by floating down from the sky.