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Usher songs we want to hear at the Super Bowl 58 halftime show, from 'Yeah!' to 'OMG'
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Date:2025-04-14 21:35:39
If you made an Usher playlist using only his biggest hits it would last an hour and 42 minutes, according to the one we built on Apple Music.
The Super Bowl halftime show is slotted for 12-15 minutes.
Prepare for many medleys.
When Usher, 45, takes to the Allegiant Stadium field Sunday during Super Bowl 2024, his liquid dance moves and creamy vocals will unfold in a city almost as dear to him as his native Atlanta.
Las Vegas treated the R&B superstar well with a pair of residencies at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace and Dolby Live at Park MGM, respectively, since 2021. And Usher delivered, playing 100 shows and exiting in December as one of the most successful Strip residencies.
Usher crammed a lot of songs into those productions, too, while simultaneously baring his sweat-slicked torso and flinging “Ushbucks” into the crowd.
Perhaps both will be visible Sunday.
Usher will add to his substantial catalog with the Friday release of his long-awaited ninth album, “Coming Home.” There will certainly be a nod to “Good Good,” his new single with Summer Walker and 21 Savage – potential guests? – during the halftime performance.
But there are many other Usher songs we hope to hear, even if they’re a medley. Here they are, presented by era.
More:Usher is the latest to headline a star-studded list of Super Bowl halftime shows
‘You Make Me Wanna …’ (1997)
No way Usher is fulfilling alifelongdream of headlining the Super Bowl and not including his breakout smash. A No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B chart and No. 2 on the Hot 100, the glossy ode to an indecisive heart made us want to know a lot more about this guy named Usher.
‘U Remind Me,’ ‘U Got It Bad’ (2001)
Clearly tutored by Prince in the song-naming department, Usher’s main hits from his “8701” album signaled a deeper soul influence. Put these in the let-Usher-catch-his-breath portion of the halftime show.
‘Yeah!,’ ‘Burn,’ ‘My Boo,’ ‘Caught Up’ (2004)
Just focus the show on these four titanic hits from his “Confessions” album and call it a night. OK, maybe “Burn” is the odd selection out, since a searing slow-jam breakup ballad – despite being one of the best of his career – isn’t prime alcohol-and-dip background music.
But “My Boo” opens an opportunity for an Alicia Keys cameo, “Caught Up” is simply a killer jam that you can envision with a fleet of dancers and if you don’t think “Yeah!” is going to end the performance with confetti or streamers or something popped into the air, um, have you ever watched a Super Bowl halftime show? Also, how can Lil Jon and Ludacris not join this celebration?
‘Love in This Club’ (2008)
Although “Burn” is probably too deep for a Super Bowl crowd, Usher’s head-nodder that finds him going down a seductive, synth-filled pathway is another top candidate for a set change/segue song.
‘OMG,’ ‘DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love’ (2010)
Calling it now: "OMG" is the perfect set opener. It uses so much Auto-Tune (courtesy of will.i.am, another potential name on the guest list) that it will allow Usher to ease into his vocals, while the staccato beat and hand claps will undoubtedly adrenalize viewers.
“DJ …” is one of Usher’s poppiest songs with a thumping backdrop and anthemic singalong chorus. It also features Pitbull. If Usher is going to tap only one guest for his momentous production, please let it be Pitbull for a collision of Mr. 305 and Mr. 404.
More:Look back at every Super Bowl halftime performer, including Michael Jackson, JLo, Beyonce
veryGood! (69)
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