Published: January 29, 2009

On Feb. 1, thousands of frenzied, professional football fans will flock to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. to watch Super Bowl XLIII. The Super Bowl is the National Football League’s (NFL) championship game and has become one of America’s most viewed television broadcasts. Although it is primarily famous for football, it is also legendary for the musical acts that take place during its post-game and halftime ceremonies. Popular American musician Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen and the E Street Band will be the main attraction at Super Bowl XLIII’s halftime show.

In the history of Super Bowl halftime shows, there have been many memorable musical performances, and the pressure is on Springsteen. One of the most impressive performers was the Rolling Stones, who played on an oversized version of their lips-and-tongue logo. They rocked out to Super Bowl set list “Start Me Up,” “Rough Justice” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” One of the most bizarre acts was Prince, who, during his “Purple Rain” performance, guitar soloed behind a white sheet that superimposed his image, which held obvious sexual implications. The most disastrous and controversial event was the notorious Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake performance, when Timberlake ripped off a part of Jackson’s top and revealed her exposed right breast, to the horror of the Federal Communications Commission. If nothing else, Super Bowl halftime shows are typically unforgettable.

Springsteen’s performance is anxiously anticipated. Performing for the Super Bowl is expected to set Springsteen’s album sales either skyrocketing or plummeting. The previous year for Super Bowl XLII, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers boosted their album sales and substantially popularized their spring tour. Prince’s musical performance for Super Bowl XLI more than doubled his album sales. However, Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction” caused a dramatic decline in her album sales and has handicapped her as a performer. Since the Super Bowl is one of the nation’s most viewed, televised broadcasts, the halftime show performance is essentially an enormous advertisement that is able to affect its performer in a very positive or extremely negative way.

Springsteen and the E Street Band are expected to top all other Super Bowl performances. Much like the Rolling Stones in the Super Bowl XL halftime show, Springsteen is expected to play his most memorable classics such as “Born to Run,” “Glory Days” and “Born in the USA.” And since Springsteen probably won’t have a “wardrobe malfunction,” you won’t have to close your eyes for a second of such epic entertainment.