By Nick Neofitidis
It's Super Bowl time, and while some of us watch the game intently, all of us wait in high anticipation for the commercials, and unless you really wanted to throw away $10 for the annual pay-per-view Lingerie Football event, chances are your glued to your TV waiting for the official mid-game performance. The past decade or so has represented what could be considered the Golden Age of Half Time Shows, which is in stark contrast to the generic marching bands and "Up With People" performances from the event's early years. The Who will headline Sunday night, but will they be able to crack the top five performances in Super Bowl half time history?
5: Super Bowl XXXVII (Shania Twain, No Doubt and Sting)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48, Oakland Raiders 21
What could liven up one of the worst Super Bowls ever played? Shania kicked off half time in 2003 with "Man I Feel Like a Woman." Sure, it was radio-friendly, but maybe not the best way to jump-start a Super Bowl crowd. Bring in No Doubt and a push-up crazy Gwen Stefani singing "I'm Just a Girl" — well, that's more like it! Cap it off with an awesome duet with Sting on "Message in a Bottle" and Gwen pretty much guaranteed herself a spot in Super Bowl history.
4: Super Bowl XLI (Prince)
Indianapolis Colts 29, Chicago Bears 17
The Purple One faced an uphill battle: Not only was it pouring rain in Miami, but he also didn't have any other acts surrounding him to pick up the slack. But clearly, nothing could stop him, as he busted out guitar solo after guitar solo on classics like "Let's Go Crazy," "1999" and "Proud Mary," as well as a cover of Foo Fighters "Best of You." His show-closing "Purple Rain" made even the most hard-edged Bears fan swoon.
3: Super Bowl XXXV (Aerosmith, 'NSYNC, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Nelly)
Baltimore Ravens 34, Giants 7
2001 was MTV's first chance at producing the show, and they absolutely nailed it. It was a multi-genre explosion that featured Aerosmith, 'NSYNC, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige and Nelly all sharing the stage. (If only the Ravens didn't blow out my Giants 34-7 in one of the most lopsided Super Bowls ever.) Still, seeing Britney and JT share a stage was almost as sweet as the half-Giants, half-Ravens jersey Nelly sported during the show.
2: Super Bowl XXVII (Michael Jackson)
Dallas Cowboys 52, Buffalo Bills 17
The energy of the Super Bowl half time show really didn't pick up steam until about 1993 when Michael Jackson was the lone performer (of course, if you count the 3,500 kids who joined him on stage during "Heal the World," that number increases significantly). The epic "Heal the World" performance capped off a run through "Jam," "Billy Jean" and "Black or White." It was Michael at his peak, and he certainly set a precedent for gigantic spectacles at the Super Bowl.
1: Super Bowl XXXVI (U2)
New England Patriots 20, St Louis Rams 17
U2 took the stage in 2002 for an unbelievable, unforgettable and beautiful tribute to the victims of September 11, 2001. With a banner scrolling through the nearly 3,000 victims draped behind them, Bono and company performed a rendition of "Where the Streets Have No Name" that was felt across the country. It was a much-needed boost to the American psyche, and what better stage than the Super Bowl to accomplish just that?