The Super Bowl halftime show runs 13 minutes. It often produces memories that last a lifetime.

Just ask Janet Jackson. Her four-decade career has been defined by one fleeting moment during her Super Bowl 39 halftime appearance with Justin Timberlake. A “wardrobe malfunction” exposed part of her breast. The rest remains pop music and NFL halftime history.

So what are the best and worst shows in Super Bowl history?

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The Super Bowl 59 halftime show features Kendrick Lamar performing at the Big Game for the second time. Super Bowl 59 takes place at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, February 9.

Usher was the headliner last year. Rihanna performed at the previous Super Bowl. Five aces of rap: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, and Lamar, rocked SoFi Stadium at halftime of Super Bowl 56. Perhaps Lamar will bring back some of his fellow performers from 3 years ago?

Many early Super Bowls followed the route of traditional college shows with large bands and elaborate but often cheesy productions.

Michael Jackson Changed The Game

The Super Bowl halftime show delivered plenty of A-listers during the 1980s, but it did not reach its current level of extravagance until 1993. During Super Bowl 27, which was played on Jan. 26, 1992, the halftime show featured more than 2,000 performers celebrating the Winter Olympics. Those Games just happened to be airing on the same network as the game, CBS. Gloria Estefan also performed as part of the show.

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Not bad. But FOX, a first, counter-programmed a live episode of “In Living Color” that aired simultaneously once the game went to halftime. That delivered big numbers for FOX. The NFL brought in Michael Jackson the following year and would never be upstaged again.

The Super Bowl halftime show has since stood alone on the American cultural landscape.

Here are our eight best and three worst Super Bowl halftime shows ever.

8 Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows

8. Aces Of Rap - Super Bowl 56

Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre led the way as the biggest names in rap rocked Inglewood, just a few miles away from where some of them grew up. This performance nailed it on both the visual and music side and surpassed the hype. No mean feat. They were joined by Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, and Mary J. Blige, Lamar is the headliner this year. 

7. U2 – Super Bowl 36

Super Bowl 36 in New Orleans was pushed back into February for the first time due to the NFL delay following the 9/11 attacks. The nation and world watched, not knowing if there would be another attempted attack on the Superdome. U2 delivered a stirring and powerful performance, performing “Beautiful Day” and “MLK” while the names of all those lost on 9/11 appeared on a giant screen. There were no theatrics needed. The show closed with “Where The Streets Have No Name.” Chills still.

This show met the pre-game hype. Beyonce reunited with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Their show was so electric that the lights went out in the Superdome in the third quarter, causing a 33-minute, 54-second blackout while the 49ers, Ravens, and the world sat watching in disbelief.

Before the power went out, Beyonce and her cohorts – who showed up midway through the show - performed “Bootylicious,” “Single Ladies” and “Independent Women.” Beyonce then went solo with “Crazy In Love” and “Baby Boy.” Give it up for “Destiny’s Child.”

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5. Paul McCartney – Super Bowl 39

Paul McCartney is the only single artist who could have headlined all 56 Super Bowls. His performance in Jacksonville during halftime of Super Bowl 39 is often forgotten. But McCartney never sounded better on the big stage and sang “Drive My Car,” “Get Back,” “Live And Let Die” and “Hey Jude.” The show had limited production values for a 21st Century Super Bowl. But this is freaking Paul McCartney singing “Hey Jude.” He could have sung this at any Super Bowl since Super Bowl III. And you would have been amazed.

These lists tend to be weighted toward the recent performers because of memory limitations and the technical overindulgence that each new show brings. But when you are Dianna Ross and your voice is in top form, all you need is a microphone. And if being Dianna Ross, delivering a melody of your top hits, moving the crowd with songs like “Reach Out And Touch” and “Take Me Higher” wasn’t enough – Ross flew away in an open-door helicopter when it was all over. Bow To The Queen.

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Madonna arrived on stage carried by a phalanx of Spartan soldiers in true Greek Goddess style. She came out swinging with “Vogue” and never took her foot off the pedal. After more than 30 years in the spotlight, she didn’t disappoint on her biggest stage. The dancing and costumes were just outrageous enough, befitting the Madonna brand. She hit the highs and the lows – which included M.I.A flipping the bird during “Gimme Your Luvin.” CeeLo Green also starred. Silk and smoke. Her close was “Like A Prayer.” She could have retired right then and there.

2: Prince - Super Bowl 41

Prince’s Super Bowl 41 performance remains the greatest Super Bowl halftime show of the 21st Century. His death six years later adds a level of poignancy each time you watch it. But, even if Price was still with us, this show would rank among his best. His diverse and deep talents were displayed for a billion or so people watching worldwide. He jammed. He sang. He moved. And everyone happily came along for a wondrous ride. He closed with “Purple Rain” while playing his guitar solo in the rain. Onions.

1. Michael Jackson – Super Bowl 27

Who is the only performer of the past 56 years who could knock Prince out of the top spot on this list? The King of Pop. Michael Jackson changed the trajectory of the Super Bowl halftime show and American culture in 1993. He did it with a 17-minute show at the Rose Bowl that rocked across America.

Jackson waited a full minute for the applause to stop before removing his glasses before eventually moonwalking into “Billie Jean”, among his other hits. He was the best at his best. A dynamic, talented, transformative artist with nothing but his music and showmanship. It is how we all wish to be remembered.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Bruce Springsteen – Super Bowl 50; Katy Perry – Super Bowl 49; JLo & Shakira – Super Bowl 54; Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – Super Bowl 33.

3 Worst Super Bowl Halftime Shows

3. Maroon 5 – Super Bowl 53

Maroon 5 was not the first choice for the NFL in Super Bowl 53. The game was among the most unappealing ever played – a 13-3 affair won by New England that did not see a touchdown for the first 50 minutes. So was the halftime show. For some reason, Adam Levine performed shirtless. As if that would take our minds of this unwatchable historic flop. I watched it in person and have managed to almost forget it. Almost.

2. Aerosmith, Britney Spears, N’Sync – Super Bowl 35

Imagine taking three very talented performers across three different genres, putting them into a musical blender, and trying to create a smooth concoction. Good intentions gone bad. Full disclosure: I watched this one live, too.

1. Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake – Super Bowl 39

As awkward as some of the less-than-stellar Super Bowl halftime performances have been, none carried the long-term negativity of this one. The show itself was terrific, with both performers finding harmonic balance. It was a near-perfect mix … until. Life is never fair. Janet Jackson has been unfairly tarnished by this for 20 years. And she did nothing wrong. It’s the only halftime show ever that deserves a do-over. At least for Jackson.