Super Bowl Halftime Show Performers In Order

Since the first Super Bowl halftime show, numerous artists and bands have performed in NFL. Here is a table from Super Bowl I to XXVI:

From the start of the Super Bowl to the early 1990s, the halftime show saw schools and universities marching bands and drill teams for the purpose of entertainment amidst the playing tension.

However, with NFL and its players' soaring popularity, the league invited major hit musicians to broaden its viewer reach.

The first pop culture star to perform in the halftime was New Kids on the Block.

The boy band performed at Super Bowl XXV, but it was Michael Jackson in 1993 who made history. The late icon's performance remains one of the best even after three decades.

Coming into 2023, halftime shows have emerged as a much-awaited show of its own, in addition to the game fever.

Michael Jackson's halftime show in 1993 is considered one of the Top 5 best Super Bowl halftime shows. It is also the most-watched halftime show on TV.

He had amassed an audience of 133.4 million viewers. His setlist for the big day was:

• Jam (includes the beginning of Why You Wanna Trip On Me)
• Billie Jean
• Black or White (includes the beginning of Another Part of Me)
• We Are the World (children's choir)
• Heal the World

The halftime show in 1994 was a joint effort of Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, and The Judds. The setlist for the show was:

• "Tuckered Out" (Clint Black)
• "It's a Little Too Late" (Tanya Tucker)
• "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" (Travis Tritt)
• "No One Else on Earth" (Wynonna Judd)
• "Love Can Build a Bridge" (The Judds and everyone)

Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass, Tony Bennett, Arturo Sandoval, and Miami Sound Machine performed at the 1995 Super Bowl. It was held at Joe Robbie Stadium.

The theme for the show was Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye; hence, Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood were among the special performer for the big day. The setlist was:

• Release Yourself (Patti)
• Caravan (Tony, Arturo, and Miami Sound Machine)
• New Attitude (Patti)
• Can You Feel The Love Tonight (Patti and Tony)

Diana Ross uplifted the 1996 Halftime as a headliner. The theme for that season was Take Me Higher: A Celebration of 30 Years of the Super Bowl.

The setlist was a medley of her songs:

• Stop In The Name Of Love
• You Keep Me Hangin' On
• Baby Love
• You Can't Hurry Love
• Why Do Fools Fall in Love
• Chain Reaction
• Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)
• Ain't No Mountain High Enough
• I Will Survive
• Take Me Higher

The Blues Brothers are some of the few on the list of halftime Super Bowl performers with their own themes. The 1997 halftime theme was Blues Brothers Bash.

They, along with ZZ Top and James Brown, the halftime show was a blues bliss back then. The setlist goes as follows:

• Everybody Needs Somebody to Love (The Blues Brothers)
• Soul Man (The Blues Brothers)
• I Got You (I Feel Good) (James Brown)
• Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) S*x Machine (James Brown)
• Tush (ZZ Top)
• Legs (ZZ Top)
• Gimme Some Lovin'

Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, The Temptations, and Queen Latifah led the XXXII Super Bowl show. The theme was Salute to Motown's 40th Anniversary.

The hip-hop stars were backed up by the Grambling State University Marching Band. The setlist was:

• Get Ready (The Temptations)
• I Can't Help Myself (The Temptations)
• The Tracks of My Tears (Smokey Robinson)
• My Girl (The Temptations with Smokey Robinson)
• Heat Wave (Martha and the Vandellas)
• Paper (Queen Latifah)
• Motownphilly (Boyz II Men)
• A Song for Mama (Boyz II Men)
• Dancing in the Street (everyone)

Gloria Estefan performed as the main star for Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999. It was her second time on the halftime stage.

She had previously been on that stage as a part of Miami Sound Machine in 19995, headlined by Patti LaBelle.

Gloria was joined by other stars, Stevie Wonder, Big Bad Voodoo, Daddy, and Savion Glover, to perform in the Celebration of Soul, Salsa, and Swing theme.

Genesis lead singer Phil Collins headlined the Super Bowl XXXIV halftime show. Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, and Toni Braxton aided him for a big day.

The quartet was helped by an 80-person choir from Georgia State University. The theme was Tapestry of Nations while Disney looked after the show's productions.

Aerosmith and NSYNC were named the leading performers for the 2001 Super Bowl halftime show. The special guests were Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, and Nelly.

The six acts performed for The Kings of Rock and Pop theme at Raymond James Stadium.

One of the top halftime show performers is U2, the most notable band with a number in its name. They were the lead and lone stars who performed that night.

U2 tributed their whole show to the victims of the September 11 attacks. The emotional yet majestic show happened at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The duo of Shania Twain and No Doubt remains a notable act on the Superbowl performers list. There was no specific theme for this big day.

Hence, the two performed on the following setlist with the aid of Sting, the special guest for the show:

• Man! I Feel like a Woman! (Shania Twain)
• Up! (Shania Twain)
• Just a Girl (No Doubt)
• Message in a Bottle (Sting with No Doubt)

Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake led one of history's most talked about Super Bowl halftime shows. The event was held at Reliant Stadium in Houston.

The two were aided by P. Diddy, Nelly, Kid Rock, and Jessica Simpson. Produced by MTV, Spirit of Houston and Ocean of Soul marching bands were the special guests for the night.

Paul McCartney of The Beatles single-handedly performed for the Super Bowl XXXIX halftime show. The big show was held at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville.

His setlist for the night is as follows:

• Drive My Car
• Get Back
• Live and Let Die
• Hey Jude

The Rolling Stones followed last year's way of being the single performer for the 2006 Super Bowl. The rock band made news from Ford Field in Detroit that year.

Their setlist for the big night is mentioned below:

• Start Me Up
• Rough Justice
• (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

Prince gave the best Super Bowl halftime show in 2007 at the annual XLI championship. Florida A&M University's Marching 100 band had backed him back then.

The setlist for the night was:

• We Will Rock You (Intro) (Queen Cover)
• Let's Go Crazy
• Baby I'm a Star
• Proud Mary (CCR Cover)
• 1999
• All Along the Watchtower (Jimi Hendrix Cover)
• Best of You (Foo Fighters Cover)
• Purple Rain

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were the lone stars of the halftime in 2008. That year's Super Bowl was held at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

Their set list includes their hit songs:

• American Girl
• I Won't Back Down
• Free Fallin'
• Runnin' Down a Dream

Bruce Springsteen and his backing band, the E Street Band, impressed the NFL audience on February 1, 2009. The Miami Horns were the special guest that night.

The setlist goes as follows:

• Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
• Born to Run
• Working on a Dream
• Glory Days

The Who headlined the 2010 Super Bowl halftime show at Sun Life Stadium. Their influence in rock music helped them grab a chance to perform in NFL.

Their setlist for the halftime was:

• Pinball Wizard
• Baba O'Riley
• Who Are You
• See Me, Feel Me
• Won't Get Fooled Again

The Black Eyed Peas impressed everyone at Super Bowl XLV with their LED-pumped live performance. However, it received a negative critical reception overall.

The guest performers were Usher, Slash, Dallas-Fort Worth-area high school drill teams, and dancers. The other guests were Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm.

Madonna spent 320 hours in rehearsals for the Super Bowl 2012. She sang a medley of her hit songs and her then-new single, Give Me All Your Luvin'.

The show was widely so well-received that it received 114 million viewers, more than the game itself, which had 111.3 million viewers.

Such was the power and fandom of Madonna, The Queen of Pop.

Beyoncé re-established herself as a powerful live performer with the XLVII half-time show. She was also backed up by Destiny's Child back then.

The show became the year's talk and was nominated for three awards at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards.

• Run the World (Girls)
• Love On Top (chorus a cappella) (Beyoncé)
• Crazy in Love (Beyoncé)
• End of Time (Beyoncé)
• Baby Boy (Beyoncé)
• Bootylicious (Destiny's Child)
• Independent Women Part I (Destiny's Child)
• Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) (Beyoncé featuring Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams)
• Halo (Beyoncé)

Bruno Mars headlined the Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show in 2014 to positive critical acclaim. He was accompanied by Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

He sang all five songs and one with the band. The show reeled in 115.3 million viewers, higher than Madonna, making it a big moment in the industry.

Katy Perry's 2015 Super Bowl halftime show raked in 118 million viewers. Moreover, it also introduced the internet sensation Left Shark to the audience.

The show received positive critical acclaim and later won two Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards; Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special and Outstanding Costumes for a Variety Program or Special.

Another iconic Super Bowl halftime show was led by Coldplay in 2016. They were joined by Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson, and Gustavo Dudamel.

This superstar group for the show was backed up by the University of California Marching Band and Youth Orchestra L.A. The show garnered an impressive 115.5 million viewers.

Lady Gaga performed a medley of her hit songs and included her newest album's tracks. It also received more viewers than the game at over 117 million.

The critics noted Gaga for her performance on stage and also her message in support of the LGBT community.

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Justin Timberlake returned for a second halftime show in 2004. The show garnered a total of 106.6 million viewers, 9% less than the previous one.

The performance also received mixed reviews. Justin was backed by The Tennessee Kids and the University of Minnesota Marching Band.

Maroon 5 headlined the Super Bowl LIII halftime show in 2019. The guest stars were rappers Big Boi and Travis Scott.

The show attracted 99.04 million viewers, slightly higher than the game. The setlist for the event is mentioned below:

• Harder to Breathe (Maroon 5)
• This Love (Maroon 5)
• Sicko Mode (Travis Scott)
• Girls Like You (Maroon 5)
• She Will Be Loved (Maroon 5)
• Kryptonite (I'm on It) (Big Boi)
• The Way You Move (Big Boi)
• Sugar (Maroon 5)
• Moves Like Jagger (Maroon 5)

Shakira and Jennifer Lopez did the most notable Latino collaboration on a big stage in 2020. It received four Primetime Emmy nominations, winning one.

The guest stars were Bad Bunny, J Balvin, and Emme Muñiz, Lopez's daughter. The show also became the most-viewed Super Bowl halftime show on YouTube, with 270 million views.

Moreover, it is cited to be the most popular halftime show in the world.

The Weeknd headlined the Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show to mixed reviews. The show was ranked in the mid-tier of Super Bowl Halftime Shows since 1993.

There were no guest artist for the night and the setlist is of his songs that follows as:

• Call Out My Name
• Starboy
• The Hills
• Can't Feel My Face (contains elements of After Hours)
• I Feel It Coming
• Save Your Tears
• Earned It
• House Of Balloons
• Blinding Lights

The biggest collaboration among Super Bowl halftime headliners came in 2022. It was the first show to feature all hip-hop music.

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar were the headliners, while 50 Cent and Anderson .Paak were the guest stars. The show became the first one to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live).

Rihanna headlined the Super Bowl 2023 Halftime show on February 12, 2023. The show was taken over by Apple Music as the main sponsor, leaving behind Pepsi.

The show also saw Rihanna's second pregnancy revelation with her partner and ASAP Mob member, A$AP Rocky. It received over 121 million, the current most-watched Super Bowl halftime show of all time.

With this, we conclude the Super Bowl Halftime show performers list since Super Bowl I. These performers are not handed cash payments for their work.

Instead, the business settlement with NFL helps them promote their work while the league pays for all the travel, accommodation, and family and friends' tickets to the show.