Superbowl halftimes are usually glitzy, cheesy affairs with sub-par performances. Somehow this one was different because it really meant something. The fact that it was a stunning performance that swelled the hearts of the crowd and the nation put it in the history books.
The Superbowl is normally a happy affair where most people gather to cheer and eat a bit too much. But in 2002, the nation was still ailing from one of the deadliest strikes on home soil in years, and the mood in Louisiana’s Superdome that year was one of cautious excitement. As a nation, we were slowly recovering, but our wounds were still fresh; our souls were still stinging. Even as the game went through the first half with great performances, the crowd was still anxious about a number of thoughts and feelings.
Then, something profound happened – a band that had built its reputation on confrontational anthems regarding the political troubles they experienced in their own country unexpectedly reached out to the entire nation. With a simple gesture and a few harmonious notes, U2 brought meaning and gravity to one of the largest athletic competitions in the world, and got the country to sing in triumph, rather than tragedy. The performance lasted less than 10 minutes, but the effects were felt for much longer.
Here’s their performance from Feb. 3, 2002. It’s their song called “Where the Streets Have No Name.” We hope you like it.
[youtube url=”http://youtu.be/og0V1UtjPt4″ playlist=”Superbowl Halftime shows” title=”Truck%20Driver%20Entertainment%20Music%20TV” width=”450″ height=”320″]