For many people, the Super Bowl is all about the commercials. Long after the final down is played and last year's victors are forgotten, viewers continue to talk about popular ads. Remember the Budweiser frogs? Of course you do. What about who won the Super Bowl that same year? Not so much.
The Super Bowl's music performances come in a close second its commercials. A-list performers -- from Janet Jackson (or, more accurately, the "costume malfunction" that upstaged her) to Aerosmith -- have graced the epic football game with euphoric performances that could be described as anything but minimalist.
And this year was no exception.
"All right what a night it's finally here / Super Bowl Sunday's kicking into high gear," sang an intimidating Faith Hill. Perhaps it was the unexpected sight of an ice blue-colored steel set with spasmodic lighting sandwiched between clips of beefy men beating each other up, but Hill's Super Bowl intro gave the impression that the final battle between good and evil -- not a football game -- was about to ensue.
Sadly, Hill did not end there.
Instead, she gave a schmaltzy rendition of "America the Beautiful." Not as bombastic as her Super Bowl intro, the performance seemed to bore even the football players, who gazed distractedly into the distance. As someone watching the game with me asked, "Why is she pre-gaming the national anthem?"
Fortunately, Jennifer Hudson's rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" re-energized Florida's Raymond James Stadium and living rooms across the nation. Hudson might have overdone it a little, giving the word "wave" approximately 14 syllables, but her sheer vocal dexterity dazzled.
Keeping with Hill's and Hudson's over-the-top pre-game performances, fiery explosions coupled with plumes of smoke and laser lights announced the start of Bruce Springsteen's half-time show.
"I want you to step back from the guacamole, I want you to put the chicken fingers down and turn your television all the way up," Springsteen said at the outset of his 12-minute music spectacular.
So far, no news as to whether Springsteen actually induced the comatose football fans watching at home and already engorged from at least two hours of fried food indulgence to step back from the customary Super Bowl snacks and groove out to his music.
By this time next week, I will not be able to tell you who won the game. But a full rundown of the merits of each musical performance? No problem. Perhaps that explains why the Super Bowl holds such widespread appeal, no matter who is playing. After all, it's not really about football.
