Celebrity
Usher’s Halftime Show Setlist Included Throwback Songs With Surprise Guests
The much-anticipated performance was a celebration of R&B.
Everybody say “Yeah!” When Usher was announced as the headliner of the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show, he called it “an honor of a lifetime” and promised a show “unlike anything else” he’d done before.
Before the big day, he set himself up for a memorable performance. First, he negotiated for an extended 15-minute runtime with the NFL, giving him 2 minutes more than the average Halftime Show. Then, as he told Vogue in December, he lined up an array of surprise guests to join him onstage, all of whom have a connection to R&B culture.
“This night was specifically curated in my mind to have R&B take the main stage,” he told the outlet. “Not just R&B music, but R&B performance, R&B connection, R&B spirit.”
Here’s every song that Usher performed during the Super Bowl Halftime Show, along with the guests who joined him.
1. “Caught Up”
Usher kicked off the Halftime Show with his 2005 single “Caught Up,” surrounded by an array of dancers and acrobat performers.
2. “Love In This Club”
Usher then went into his 2008 hit “Love In This Club” — but not before sneaking in snippets of his 2015 single “U Don’t Have To Call” and 2004’s “Superstar.”
3. “If I Ain’t Got You” with Alicia Keys
After busting a move, Usher gave the stage to his collaborator Alicia Keys, who sang her hit “If I Ain’t Got You” on the piano.
4. “My Boo” with Alicia Keys
Usher rejoined Keys onstage in a new outfit, a sequined silver vest, to perform their Grammy-winning 2004 duet, “My Boo.”
5. “Confessions Part II”
After Jermaine Dupri announced that they were celebrating the 20th anniversary of Usher’s Grammy-winning album Confessions, he launched into the iconic title track.
6. “Burn”
After a brief interlude featuring his 1997 track “Nice & Slow,” Usher continued the Confessions medley with a rendition of “Burn.”
7. “U Got It Bad” with H.E.R.
Usher continued his string of throwbacks with his 2001 hit “U Got It Bad,” during which he ripped off his shirt dramatically. H.E.R. joined him onstage for the track — which was briefly spliced with “Bad Girl” — and stole the show for a moment with her guitar-shredding.
8. “OMG” with will.i.am
Back in 2011, Usher joined will.i.am during the Black Eyed Peas’ Halftime Show. This year, will.i.am returned the favor, singing “OMG” as Usher and his dancers turned the stage into a roller-skating rink.
9. “Turn Down For What” with Lil’ Jon
As Usher was taking off his skates, Lil’ Jon jammed out to his viral 2013 hit “Turn Down For What.”
10. “Yeah!” with Lil’ Jon & Ludacris
For the big finale, Lil’ Jon joined Usher onstage to perform their massive 2004 hit “Yeah!,” complete with elaborate choreography. Ludacris joined them onstage for his verse, and the trio finished the song (and show) together.
