Usher’s Halftime Performance Review

It may have been Usher’s halftime performance but is it a coincidence he sang exactly 13 songs? This is Taylor Swift’s Super Bowl and Usher is just living in it.

Usher’s Super Bowl performance had an equal amount of interest and a lack thereof. The singer has been releasing music since 1994 with his most recent album “Coming Home” coming out last Friday.

Usher has released nine studio albums and 81 singles, so he had a plethora of songs to choose from to include fans old and new.

Prefacing the performance was a viewer discretion that was equally accurate and comical.

Better-known songs like “Yeah” and “DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love” were very anticipated, but not all of his most well-played songs were performed.

Usher started in an end zone surrounded by circus-looking people. He was wearing an all-white outfit with lots of sequins.

The first song in the set was “Caught Up” off of his album “Confessions.” A classic start to his appearance.

After the opening number, he threw in a couple of deep cuts from his discography.

He danced his way down the field where a stage waited for him on the 50-yard line.

Accompanied by a marching band, he sang “Love in This Club.”

This was followed by his first guest appearance, Alicia Keys. Keys is currently married, but she could have easily fooled watchers that she and Usher were involved. Their on-stage chemistry was intense.

Keys delivered a beautiful rendition of “If I Ain’t Got You” on piano accompanied by Usher. This was definitely a highlight of the entire performance.

Following this was a duet of “My Boo” between the two.

Keys did not come to play, but slay. She strutted in a bodycon red sequined jumpsuit.

After this was another classic, “Confessions.” Dare it be noted, they sang this on “Glee.”

Up to this point, he was fully clothed the entire time, and then this 45-year-old man decided to shed a layer to reveal nothing but a wife beater. Even that was not enough, that too left his body.

A man has never sweated more on national television. There is no shame in it, but it was definitely concerning to viewers how damp this man was.

His shirtlessness did not last long; it was shortly followed by an outfit change. During this transition, the stage was filled with roller skaters doing a variety of wheeled tricks.

The question remains: did Usher choose the circus and roller skates theme or was that some requirement?

His new outfit was black with blue glitter. On the front of his new top were shapes representing his abs.

A few other lesser-known songs were delivered at this point and then came “OMG.”

“OMG” had some huge potential but missed expectations by a long shot. 20-year-old Beliebers around the nation waited for Justin Bieber to come but he never came.

Almost as if trying to make up for the lack of Bieber, Lil Jon came out next. No one says “Lil Jon” quite like Lil Jon.

Lil Jon popped off with “Turn Down For What,” notably not even an Usher song.

Then Usher returned to collaborate on what may have been Usher's most anticipated song, “Yeah.”

It was definitely exciting to hear the song played, however a longer duration would have been enjoyable. This shockingly was the finale of the halftime show.

Ending with “Yeah” was a very iconic choice considering it has been played at probably every high school dance and Sweet 16 for the last 20 years.

Spectators were left shocked with no "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love,” and a disappointing lack of Pitbull.

All in all, it was a good halftime show. Better than some in the recent past, but not as iconic as Beyoncé or Katy Perry.

Swifties may be disappointed at the lack of Swift in the halftime show, however everyone else is relieved.

Savannah Swartz is a third-year majoring in communications. To contact her, email sms9072@psu.edu.