In addition to being part of one of the most American events in history, Bruno Mars’ halftime performance at the Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014 leverages artistic choices to seamlessly showcase American pride to an international audience.
Prior to the performance, there were already many skeptics of him, especially since he was the youngest performer to be the headlining act for the halftime show. The fact that this would be the first Super Bowl hosted in New York City added to the pressures Mars faced. However, he was able to pull off a show that left the general audience more than satisfied. Opening with a children’s choir singing in front of an American flag, albeit digital, Mars and his team chose to highlight American pride and futures from the get-go. The performance then quickly turns to focus on Mars himself. After a drum solo, he sings a medley of some of his biggest hits at the time. After this medley, Mars is joined by the Red Hot Chili Peppers to sing “Give It Away,” a song by the group. Lastly, the show ended with a tribute to the US Armed Forces while singing Mars’ song, “Just the Way You Are.” Compared to many halftime shows, Mars’ was somewhat simplistic, which simply added to its charm. The performance was truly centered around music and lacked some elements that other performers have chosen to use, such as dancers and props. Despite this, many aspects of Mars’ performance promote American culture and pride. Most obviously, the children’s choir bit at the beginning and tribute at the end are huge gestures of American pride, including many sentiments that Americans value. However, collaboration between Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers helped show both the contrast and harmony between popular American artists and cultures from different times. This likely appealed to a broader audience than it would have if it had only been Mars or the Red Hot Chili Peppers performing alone. Lastly, Mars and his band’s outfits pay one final nod to American artists and culture, with jackets reminiscent of iconic artists like James Brown (whom we’ve discussed in class), Prince, and Michael Jackson.
I really believe Mars’ performance, particularly, left a lasting impression. Initially, I didn't fully grasp all the patriotic elements, but looking back and rewatching it, I can appreciate the subtle yet powerful expressions of American pride. Mars’ confidence in his musical abilities was evident, as he didn't rely on typical performance enhancers but rather let his music and presence command the stage. This approach likely appealed to a broader audience, offering something for everyone, from the vocals and classic instruments that invoked nostalgia in older viewers to the energetic performance that resonated with the younger crowd. I'm glad this performance was highlighted in the article, showcasing how talent and simplicity can create a truly memorable show.
I find a lot of appeal in simplicity. I think we try to complicate a lot of things in modern pop culture and a lot of simple recipes are lost that worked really well. Talent I think nowadays is manufactured instead of sought after. I remember watching plenty of half time shows and my favorites were those where the voice and the dancing were the real stars of the show. I'm thinking of Bruno Mars, Beyoncé, and others who really got me to glue my eyes to the screen.
When I think of halftime shows, I think of an elaborate production with lots of costume changes, props, and backup dancers. Despite the lack of all of this, I still vividly remember Bruno Mars' performance. When I look back, I honestly don't remember all of these patriotic references (now I do after rewatching the video you linked) but I do remember thinking that he must be really secure in the quality of his music. I admire Mars for not leaning on any of the distractions that performers often use to elevate their average music. I also think Mars was able to garner the attention of a wider audience because he didn't put on an over-the-top production-- for example, I think…