Being tapped to play the Super Bowl halftime show is a feat not just any artist can pull off. It’s one of the biggest stages of the year and is usually treated with the proper reverence. In 2025, Kendrick Lamar is up to the task. Though we will have to wait and see who gets the baton from the rapper next year, we have some opinions in the meantime.
Videos by American Songwriter
1. Taylor Swift
Though some may feel like football is already far too tuned into Taylor Swift, we think her Super Bowl performance is way overdue. Across her tenure, Swift has amassed more than her fair share of stadium thrilling hits. Her Eras Tour proved that, tenfold. Though she might have a hard time watching her beau in the game if she performed, we’d still like to see what a Swift-level Super Bowl might entail.
Special Guests: Ed Sheeran, Sabrina Carpenter, Bleachers
Shirts off, and your friends lift you up over their heads
Beer sticking to the floor
Cheers chanted, cause they said
There was no chance, trying to be
The greatest in the league
Where’s the trophy?
He just comes running over to me
2. Ariana Grande
Though Ariana Grande is taking a break from pop stardom, we’d like to see her come back to that in a big way. And what is bigger than the Super Bowl? Grande has a powerful number of anthems at her disposal. It wouldn’t be a question of which songs could she sing, it would be one of which songs does she have to leave out…Moreover, her impressive list of collaborations would prove to be a coup for the ubiquitous special guest aspect of a Super Bowl halftime performance.
Special Guests: The Weeknd, Victoria Monét, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion
Wearing a ring, but ain’t gon’ be no “Mrs”
Bought matching diamonds for six of my b**ches
I’d rather spoil all my friends with my riches
Think retail therapy my new addiction
Whoever said money can’t solve your problems
Must not have had enough money to solve ’em
They say, “Which one?”, I say, “Nah, I want all of ’em”
Happiness is the same price as red-bottoms
3. Queen
Given how many Queen songs are integral to sporting events, it’s a wonder they have never been asked to perform at the Super Bowl. We think it’s about time we hear the crowd pleasing “We Will Rock You” and the inspiring “We Are the Champions” during the halftime show. Thanks to new frontman Adam Lambert, this band can still rock with the best of them. We think this performance is only a matter of time.
Special Guests: Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus
We are the champions, my friends
And we’ll keep on fighting till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
‘Cause we are the champions of the World
(Photo by Miikka Skaffari/Getty Images)
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