As a bigger music fan than football fan, I wish I could say that Bruce Springsteen is bigger than the Super Bowl, that he should have better things to do than play a hasty 12-minute medley of his hits, as a sideshow to a sporting event, for an audience that didn’t show up just to see him. But the truth is, he’s not, and after the likes of the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Prince, Tom Petty, U2, and others have paved the way, there’s no way Springsteen can say he’s above performing at this winter’s Superbowl halftime show. Besides, according to the NFL, which confirmed on Sunday night the long-standing rumor that Springsteen will be the 2009 Super Bowl halftime entertainer, some 148 million Americans watched last year’s halftime mini-show. Who could turn down an opportunity to play for an audience that big, even for just 12 minutes?
Still, I’m already wondering who they’ll book for 2010. The list of all-American (or British-but-America-loving) classic-rock icons who are still as popular as Springsteen or McCartney or Petty who haven’t already done the show is slim to nonexistent. (My colleague Michael Slezak suggested Madonna, but after the 2004 Janet Jackson incident, I doubt the NFL will go anywhere near someone who might risk a wardrobe malfunction.) Who else is there, PopWatchers? What do you think of Springsteen landing the gig? And which 12 minutes of music should he use to summarize his 36-year recording career?
Comments (1-30) of 329 Add your comment
Would love to see Bruce at the Superbowl!
My 12 minutes?
Rosalita
Thunder Road
Glory Days
and of course you have to end it with Born to Run
What about ColdPlay? They appeal to a big audience and won’t run the risk of a wardrobe malfunction or using their guitars as giant …um…well, you all remember what Prince did.
And SugarLand would be great too, since they appeal beyond just country.
Jimmy Buffett!
BON JOVI…. nuff said
Coldplay would be cool.. Madonna would never happen.. Tina Turner could be another good one.. Pearl Jam would be great – but that would never happen either.
Whatever he plays in 12 minutes, I hope he’ll keep it all before 1984!
Metallica- They would be awesome…but since their songs are so long, they would only get to play like two songs.
Pearl Jam- That would be sick
The Who- Keeping the tradition of very established acts for the last few years, The two whos alive would be pretty sweet.
Springsteen puts on the most amazing live show you could ever wish for! My only wish is that they would give him more time! But with that said I will be happy as long as he works in Thunderoad, 10th Avenue Freeze Out, Born to Run, Glory Days, Hungry Heart, Candy’s Room and let’s throw in Born in the USA, just to be patriotic at the Super Bowl!
Get michael back to do the show. He rocked back then and still does now.
I think Bruce will play these four songs: Radio Nowhere (since it is on his most recent album), The Rising, Dancing in the Dark, Born to Run
“As a bigger music fan than football fan, I wish I could say that Bruce Springsteen is bigger than the Super Bowl, that he should have better things to do than play a hasty 12-minute medley of his hits, as a sideshow to a sporting event, for an audience that didn’t show up just to see him.”
————————————–
Cry more.
Keep the politics out of it…especially if B.Hussein wins and not J. Sidney. No rants please. Shut up and sing:
Dancin in the Dark
Born to Run
Born in the USA
For You
I saw Springsteen in July, and was surprised how much I liked his new single Radio Nowhere. Fine by me if he puts that one in the mix!
I don’t like Bruce Springstzzzzzzzzzz…….
He should play “Born in the USA” and then explain the lyrics so football fans can understand politics.
Madonna would never happen – she’s more manly than most of the players.
And Carolyn-
“Get michael back to do the show. He rocked back then and still does now.”
please tell me you’re joking. he NEVER rocked and he NEVER will. he’s a child molester and a crazy person. get real.
are you sarah palin? you should be preparing for the debate this thurs, because you are going to be embarrased beyond belief.
12 x 1 minute mini-cuts of his ‘greatest’ ending with BtR so that the 150 million captive viewers get a sampling like of the Magic that is Bruce Springsteen. The set should be without break, cramming in every second…leaving dead air for applause until the end. Consistently the BEST bar none live performer for 4 decades. Without peer (okay, Stones in that 5 decade perspective). Love Paul and the Beatles and they own the mania of Shea and the invasion…Springsteen is without rival in live PERFORMANCE.
He has to play Born in the USA, Born to Run,and Glory Days, and then he might play Dancing in the Dark, Thunder Road, Badlands, and Sandy.
I love him. I hope he’s better than Petty, even though i love petty too.
I am sick and tired of these aging male rock stars. I don’t even watch the Super Bowl halftime show anymore. Give me some Rhianna or Akon or don’t even bother putting on a halftime show, mmmkay?
What are we going to be subjected to next year? The Eagles? Rod Stewart? Billy Joel? This is getting ridiculous.
Lonnnng time Springsteen fan. Nobody can touch his live performance… 4 songs.. Thunder Road, Rising, Saints in the city, Glory Days.
Born to Run, of course. It would be interesting if he did something slightly commentary-like without being a total downer–aside from BiTUSA, maybe “This Hard Land”?
My favorite Springsteen tune is “Blood Brothers” but lowkey does not the Superbowl fit.
What a surprise! Another old elderly singer. No chance at any wardrobe malfunction. (That would be scary)
Bon Jovi!!! I’m pulling for a Bon Jovi halftime show.
There’s no way he’s going to play Born in the USA.
Personally I feel Bruce is beyond playing for a spectacle like the superbowl. When I first heard of it I was puzzled. He is by far the best live entertainer in the rock business. The time allotted to him and the band won’t even scratch the surface of the man and his band’s abilities. I hope he doesn’t play Glory days or Born in USA, but he probably will because of the gigundo homogenized audience. Hard core Boss fans prepare to be mildly disappointed.
I think that with the upcoming AC/DC tour, ending at the end of january, that the superbowl would be the perfect gig to top it off
IS THERE ANYBODY ALIIIIIVVVE OUT THERE!!!
Definately start it out with Radio Nowhere, and end with the house lights up on Born to Run.
As long as he doesn’t stop, I don’t care what comes in between. Especially if he just decides to take the whole 12 minutes and do Ramrod
BRRRRUUUUUUUUUCE!
Nobody does it for me like Bruce and The Band. Trust me the ratings will be thru the roof. Even for those who hate him, you tend to watch something you hate to see what the big deal is, and his name is Bruce Springsteen.15 shows and counting, no-one better live.I’v seen atleast 20 other bands. no-one rocks like Bruce. Remember you heard it here, Julia from Jersey!!!!!
I think Coldplay should do it one of these years. I have never seen a better concert than the one this year they played in Chicago
VAN HALEN.