In a time of unrest, Lady Gaga’s halftime performance was a gentle reminder that you can always rely on music to lift a nation’s, and possibly the entire world’s, spirits.
The Bad Romance singer began her performance in earnest as she belted out Woody Guthrie's civil rights anthem This Land Is Your Land from the roof of Houston's NRG stadium. Bathed in the glow of red, white and blue from an army of light-up drones behind her, she then dived into the stadium and commenced to dance, sing and roar her way through a smorgasbord of pop hits - including Poker Face, Just Dance, Telephone, and a touching piano rendition of her latest hit, Million Reasons.
Ahead of the Super Bowl, the star announced her intentions to promote a positive message, saying the show would be "inclusive" and celebrate "the spirit of equality". Sponsors Pepsi simply said it would be "uniquely Gaga”.
It may not have been as controversial as Beyoncé’s politically charged ‘Black panther’ inspired halftime show in 2016, or as quirky as some of Gaga’s own performances (like when she emerged from an egg at the 2011 Grammys) but it was spectacular, entertaining and a good reminder of why we fell in love with her in the first place.
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Images: @Ladygaga