Showing posts with label Super Bowl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Super Bowl. Show all posts

Monday, February 13, 2023

Super Bowl Halftime Shows Ranked, 1967-2022

Super Bowl Halftime Shows:

1967-2022

Image from Mashable.com

Rihanna performed at the halftime show for Super Bowl LVII on February 12, 2023. She delivered a hit-driven setlist of a dozen songs: Bitch Better Have My Money / Where Have You Been? / Only Girl in the World / We Found Love / Rude Boy / Work / Wild Thoughts / Pour It Up / All of the Lights / Run This Town / Umbrella / Diamonds Click here to see full performance on YouTube.

While it’s too early to weigh in on where her performance stands compared to past Super Bowls, this page does offer a ranking of every previous halftime show. More than 100 lists have been aggregated to create this ranking.

Click here to see other media-based lists, such as best videos and best music books of all time.

Check out Dave’s Music Database podcast: The Best Super Bowl Halftime Shows. Premiere: February 15, 2022 at 7pm CST. Check out new episodes every Tuesday.

1. Prince (2007). No one was surprised that the Purple One delivered a kick-ass show, but covers of “Proud Mary,” “All Along the Watchtower,” and the Foo Fighters’ “Best of You” were surprising. What left everyone in awe, however, was Prince’s apparent God-like power to summon just the right weather to accompany a set list that ended with “Purple Rain.” Setlist: We Will Rock You / Let’s Co Crazy / Baby I’m a Star / Proud Mary / 1999 / All Along the Watchtower / Best of You / Purple Rain Click here to see full performance on YouTube.

2. U2 (2002). In the wake of 9/11, U2 was one of the biggest voices decrying the horrific attacks and eulogizing those lost. During a stirring performance of “Where the Streets Have No Name”, a banner behind the band listed the victims. Setlist: Beautiful Day / MLK / Where the Streets Have No Name Click here to see full performance on YouTube.

3. Michael Jackson (1993). As is so often the case with The King of Pop, this was a benchmark. It served as the standard for other shows to follow. With only a 12-minute set, MJ introduced the Super Bowl to the astonishing concept that a big-name, internationally-recognized pop artist could wow an audience more than marching bands, cheesy song-and-dance numbers. Setlist: Jam / Why You Wanna Trip on Me / Billie Jean / Black or White / Another Part of Me / We Are the World / Heal the World Click here to see full performance on YouTube.

4. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band (2009). Personally, I’d be ecstatic to give The Boss the halftime show every year. He knows how to work crowds into frenzies, if not with his preacher-like introductions than with his adrenalin-fueled performances. That slide into the camera crotch-first could have ended things before they even got going, but Bruce powered on, seemingly unharmed. Setlist: Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out / Born to Run / Working on a Dream / Glory Days Click here to see full performance on YouTube.

5. Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child (2013). Beyoncé was a guest with Coldplay in 2016 (See #21), but this time got the stage all to herself. She was a big enough name that she didn’t need a slew of guest appearances, but she did have a very welcome reunion with Destiny’s Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Setlist: Run the World (Girls) / Love on Top / Crazy in Love / End of Time / Baby Boy / Bootylicious (Destiny’s Child) / Independent Women (Destiny’s Child) / Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) (Destiny’s Child) / Halo Click here to see full performance on YouTube.

6. The Kings of Rock and Pop (2001). This was an odd mix of artists suggesting the halftime committee wasn’t convinced Aerosmith would have enough appeal on their own (they absolutely would have) so they added N Sync, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, and Nelly to the mix. Then again, the all-star version of “Walk This Way,” complete with Spears’ cleavage-baring Aerosmith T-shirt, was memorable. Also, the opening sketch with Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, and Chris Rock was worth the price of admission. Setlist: Bye Bye Bye (‘N Sync) / I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (Aerosmith) / It’s Gonna Be Me (‘N Sync) / Jaded (Aerosmith) / Walk This Way (Aerosmith with ‘N Sync, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, and Nelly) Click here to see full performance on YouTube.

7. Paul McCartney (2005). In the wake of “Nipple Gate” (see #9), the powers-that-be behind the Super Bowl halftime shows opted to go with a safe, well-known classic rocker. There is arguably no bigger musician on the planet than this ex-Beatle and he provided a Beatle-centric set list completely free of any “wardrobe malfunctions.” Setlist: Drive My Car / Get Back / Live and Let Die / Hey Jude Click here to see full performance on YouTube.

8. Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, et al (2004). No one remembers now, but this was actually another overstuffed show with too many performers. Instead, this one gave us the most infamous moment in Super Bowl halftime history when Justin Timberlake sang to Janet Jackson that he would have her naked by the end of the song “Rock Your Body” and then proceeded to tear off part of her costume, exposing her breast. Setlist: The Way You Move (Spirit of Houston and Ocean of Soul marching bands) / All of You (Janet Jackson) / Bad Boy for Life (P. Diddy) / Diddy (to the tune of “Mickey”) / Hot in Herre (Nelly) / Mo Money Mo Problems (P. Diddy) / Bawitdaba (Kid Rock) / Cowboy (Kid Rock) / Rhythm Nation (Janet Jackson) / Rock Your Body (Justin Timberlake with Janet Jackson) Click here to see full performance on YouTube.

9. Lady Gaga (2017). Setlist: God Bless America / This Land Is Your Land / Poker Face / Born This Way / Telephone / Just Dance / Million Reasons / Bad Romance Click here to see full performance on YouTube.

10. Diana Ross (1996). Doing a medley of her hits on a stage surrounded by hundreds of performers looked a little too much like some of the pre-Michael Jackson shows, but it was hard to deny her diva status when she departed in a helicopter. Setlist: Stop! In the Name of Love / You Keep Me Hangin’ On / Baby Love / You Can’t Hurry Love / Why Do Fools Fall in Love / Chain Reaction / Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand / Ain’t No Mountain High Enough / I Will Survive / Take Me Higher Click here to see full performance on YouTube.

11. Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar (2022). The announced all-star hip-hop lineup also included a surprise guest appearance from 50 Cent. Setlist: Dr. Dre with Snoop Dogg “The Next Episode” / Dr. Dre with Snoop Dogg “California Love” / 50 Cent “In Da Club” / Mary J. Blige “Family Affair” / Mary J. Blige “No More Drama” / Kendrick Lamar “M.a.a.d City” / Kendrick Lamar “Alright” / Kendrick Lamar with Eminem “Forgot About Dre” / Eminem “Lose Yourself” / Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg with Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, & 50 Cent “Still Dre” Click here to see full performance on YouTube.

12. The Rolling Stones (2006). The opening montage suggesting The Rolling Stones and the NFL had gone hand in hand over the years was a little odd. However, there was no arguing with picking what some have called the greatest rock and roll band of all time to keep viewers eyes peeled to the set for halftime, even if the band could long ago have applied for their AARP memberships in America. Besides, Jagger proved he could still prance about on stage like someone half his age. Setlist: Start Me Up / Rough Justice / (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction Click here to see full performance on YouTube.

13. Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Bad Bunny, J. Balvin, Emme, Muniz (2020)

14. Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz, Missy Elliott, Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band (2015)

15. Madonna with LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A, and Cee-Lo Green (2012)

16. Bruno Mars, Red Hot Chili Peppers (2014)

17. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (2008)

18. Coldplay with Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson, Gustavo Dudamel, University of California Marching Band, Youth Orchestra L.A. (2016)

19. Shania Twain, No Doubt, Sting (2003)

20. The Who (2010)

21. Salute to Motown’s 40th Anniversary: Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, The Temptations, Queen Latifah, Grambling State University Band; 1998)

22. Celebration of Soul, Salsa and Swing: Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, Chaka Khan, KISS, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Savion Glover (1999)

23. The Weeknd (2021)

24. Rockin’ Country Sunday: Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, The Judds (1994)

25. Black Eyed Peas with Usher and Slash (2011)

26. The Blues Brothers Bash: The Blues Brothers, ZZ Top, James Brown, Catherine Crier (1997)

27. Justin Timberlake, the Tennessee Kids, University of Minnesota Marching Band (2018)

28. Something Grand: Chubby Checker, The Rockettes, 88 grand pianos, the Mighty CSUN Matador Wall of Sound (1988)

29. Tapestry of Nations: Phil Collins Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Toni Braxton, 80-person choir, Edward James Olmos (2000)

30. Maroon 5, Travis Scott, Big Boi, Georgia State University Marching Band (2019)

31. University of Arizona, Grambling State University, & University of Michigan Marching Bands (1967) 32. Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye: Pattil LaBelle, Indiana Jones & Marion Ravenwood, Teddy Pendergrass, Tony Bennett, Arturo Sandoval, Miami Sound Machine (1995)

33. Salute to New Orleans & 40th Anniversary of Peanuts: Pete Fountain, Doug Kershaw, Irma Thomas, Nicholls State University Marching Band, Southern University Marching Band, USL Marching Band (1990)

34. Salute to Louis Armstrong: Ella Fitzgerald, Carol Channing, Al Hirt, & USMC Drill Team (1972)

35. Grambling State University Marching Band (1968)

36. Disney’s Salute to Superstars of Silver Screen: University of Florida and Florida State University Marching Bands (1984)

37. Tribute to Duke Ellington: Mercer Ellington, Grambling State University Marching Band (1975)

38. A Salute to the 1960s and Motown: Up with People (1982).

39. From Paris to Paris of America: Tyler Apache Belles Drill Team, Apache Band, Pete Fountain, Al Hirt (1984)

40. America Thanks: Florida A&M University (1969)

41. Small World Tribute to 25 Years of the Super Bowl: New Kids on the Block, Disney characters, Warren Moon, 2000 local children, audience card stunt (1991)

42. Winter Magic and Salute to 1992 Winter Olympics: Gloria Estefan, Brian Boitano, Dorothy Hamill (1992)

43. Salute to Hollywood’s 100th Anniversary: George Burns, Mickey Rooney, Grambling State University Marching Band, Disney characters, Southern California-area High School drill teams with dancers (1987)

44. KaleidoSUPERscope: Los Angeles Drill Team (1983)

45. Mardi Gras Festival: Southern University Marching Band, Helen O’Connell (1981)

46. A Salute to the Big Band Era: Up with People, Grambling State University Marching Bands (1980)

47. Salute to the Caribbean: Ken Hamilton, various Caribbean bands (1979)

48. Tribute to Mardi Gras: Carol Channing, Southern University Marching Band (1970)

49. Southeast Missouri State Marching Band (1971)

50. 200 Years and Just a Baby – A Tribute to America’s Bicentennial: Up with People (1976)

51. Happiness Is: University of Michigan Marching Band, Woody Herman, Andy Williams (1974)

52. World of Children’s Dreams: United States Air Force Tops in Blue (1985)

53. Beat of the Future: Up with People (1986)

54. Be-Bop Bamboozled in 3-D: Elvis Presto, South Florida-area dancers and performers with 3-D effects (1989)

55. A Musical America: University of Texas Marching Band, Judy Mallett – Miss Texas 1973 (1974)

56. It’s a Small World: Los Angeles Unified All-City Band & audience card stunt (1977)

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First posted 2/2/2013; last updated 2/13/2023.

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Wednesday, August 18, 2021

The Who's Top 100 Songs/Studio Albums Ranked

The Who

Top 100 Songs/
Studio Albums Ranked

The Who were a rock group that formed in London in 1964. In their early years, they became known for their antics of destroying their instruments on stage. They became a staple of album rock with classics such as the 1969 rock opera Tommy and 1971’s Who’s Next The original lineup of singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon lasted until 1978 when Moon died at age 32 from a drug overdose.

At their concert in Cincinnati on December 3, 1979, eleven people were trampled to death when fans tried to push their way in before the show. The band broke up in 1982, but regrouped for Live Aid in 1986 and again in 1989 for a 25th anniversary tour. They subsequently regrouped multiple times. Just before their 2002 tour, Entwistle died at age 57 from a cocaine-induced heart attack.

In 2006, they released their first studio album, Endless Wire, in 24 years. They reconvened again for the album Who in 2019.

Click here to see other best-of lists from performers and here to see other best-of lists from songwriters and/or producers.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out Dave’s Music Database podcast: The 50th Anniversary of Who’s Next which draws from this list. It premieres August 17, 2021 at 7pm CST. Tune in every Tuesday at 7pm for a new episode based on the lists at Dave’s Music Database.

Awards:

Top 100 Songs

Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. This list includes solo material from Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey as well as music by The Who.

DMDB Top 1%:

1. My Generation (1965)
2. Won’t Get Fooled Again (1971)
3. Baba O’Riley (1971)

DMDB Top 2%:

4. I Can See for Miles (1967)
5. I Can't Explain (1965)
6. Pinball Wizard (1969)
7. Behind Blue Eyes (1971)

DMDB Top 5%:

8. Who Are You (1978)
9. Magic Bus (1968)
10. Love Reign O’er Me (1973)
11. You Better You Bet (1981)

DMDB Top 10%:

12. Substitute (1966)
13. Happy Jack (1966)
14. Squeeze Box (1975)
15. The Kids Are Alright (1966)
16. Pictures of Lily (1967)
17. The Seeker (1970)
18. Eminence Front (1982)
19. Join Together (1972)
20. 5:15 (1973)

21. Let My Love Open the Door (Pete Townshend, 1980)
22. Summertime Blues (1970)
23. Bargain (1971)

DMDB Top 20%:

24. I’m Free (1969)
25. We’re Not Gonna Take It/See Me Feel Me (1970)
26. I’m a Boy (1966)
27. Athena (1982)
28. Relay (1972)
29. Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere (1965)
30. Long Live Rock (1974)

31. The Real Me (1973)
32. Let’s See Action (1971)
33. Rough Boys (Pete Townshend, 1980)
34. Call Me Lightning (1968)
35. Face the Face (Pete Townshend, 1985)
36. Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Roger Daltrey, 1987)

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

37. A Legal Matter (1965)
38. Don’t Let Go the Coat (1981)
39. Boris the Spider (1966)
40. Without Your Love (Roger Daltrey, 1980)

41. The Song Is Over (1971)
42. Another Tricky Day (1981)
43. Goin’ Mobile (1971)
44. After the Fire (Roger Daltrey, 1985)
45. Dogs (1968)
46. The Last Time (1967)
47. Slip Kid (1975)
48. Giving It All Away (Roger Daltrey, 1973)
49. Pure and Easy (Pete Townshend, 1972)
50. My Wife (1971)

51. Gettin’ in Tune (1971)
52. It’s Not Enough (2006)
53. Behind Blue Eyes (acoustic version by Pete Townshend, 1983)
54. Give Blood (Pete Townshend, 1985)
55. Quicksilver Lightning (Roger Daltrey, 1986)
56. A Friend Is a Friend (Pete Townshend, 1989)
57. Free Me (Roger Daltrey, 1980)
58. Slit Skirts (Pete Townshend, 1982)
59. Love Ain’t for Keepin’ (1971)
60. Real Good Looking Boy (2004)

61. Let Me Down Easy (Roger Daltrey, 1985)
62. Under a Raging Moon (Roger Daltrey, 1985)
63. Go to the Mirror Boy (1969)
64. Amazing Journey/Sparks (1969)
65. Under My Thumb (1967)
66. It’s a Boy (1969)
67. Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting (1991)
68. Postcard (1974)
69. All This Music Must Fade (2019)
70. Sister Disco (1978)

71. Take Me Home (Roger Daltrey, 1987)
72. Come and Get Your Love (Roger Daltrey, 1975)
73. The Acid Queen (1969)
74. Avenging Annie (Roger Daltrey, 1977)
75. A Little Is Enough (Pete Townshend, 1980)
76. Do You Think It’s Alright/Fiddle About (1969)
77. Cousin Kevin (1969)
78. Young Man Blues (1970)
79. Shakin’ All Over (1970)
80. Pinball Wizard (live version by Pete Townshend, 1986)

81. It’s Hard (1982)
82. Daily Records (1981)
83. How Can You Do It Alone (1981)
84. Be Lucky (2014)
85. Trick of the Light (1978)
86. Music Must Change (1978)
87. Won’t Get Fooled Again (Pete Townshend live with John Williams, 1981)
88. Naked Eye (live, 1971)
89. Sheraton Gibson (Pete Townshend, 1972)
90. English Boy (Pete Townshend, 1993)

91. Did You Steal My Money (1981)
92. Dig (1989)
93. You (1981)
94. Fire (1989)
95. Twist and Shout (live) (1980)
96. Walking in My Sleep (Roger Daltrey, 1984)
97. Heaven and Hell (1970)
98. How Many Friends (1975)
99. Had Enough (1978)
100. Fortune Teller (1968)

The Who: Studio Albums Ranked

Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by album’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, critics’ ratings, and awards. Also factored in are the status of each album’s songs in Dave’s Music Database for songs.

1. Who’s Next (1971)
2. Tommy (1969)
3. Quadrophenia (1973)
4. Sell Out (1967)
5. My Generation (1965)
6. A Quick One (1966)
7. By Numbers (1975)
8. Endless Wire (2006)
9. Who Are You (1978)
10. Face Dances (1981)

11. Who (2019)
12. Magic Bus * (1968)
13. Lifehouse (2000)
14. It’s Hard (1982)

* Technically not a studio album but a compilation, but included here because the songs were various singles, B-sides, and leftovers all recorded in 1967 and 1968.

Resources and Related Links:

Other Related DMDB Pages:

First posted 7/27/2012; last updated 8/18/2021.

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Monday, February 6, 2012

Madonna’s Super Bowl Halftime Performance






Nicki Minaj, Madonna, and M.I.A.



The last couple days’ blog posts focused on the Super Bowl halftime shows with one post focused on the 5 worst halftime shows of all time and another post dedicated to the top 10 halftime shows. To wrap things up, today we’ll revisit Madonna’s halftime performance from last night in which she delivered a football-themed “high-energy spectacle packed with Roman warriors, Cirque du Soleil dancers, marching bands, cheerleaders, and some very famous guests.” MTV

She entered in “Cleopatra mode” MTV on a throne accompanied by Roman warriors while she sang “Vogue”. She segued into “Music”, complete with dancers doing acrobatics on bleachers, a tightrope walker doing flips on a wire, and a mash-up with LMFAO and brief bits from their #1 hits “Party Rock Anthem” and “Sexy and I Know It”.

In continuing the guest star parade, she trotted out Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. in cheerleader outfits to contribute to “Give Me All Your Luvin”, the new Madonna single on which the pair also sing. By aligning herself with some of today’s biggest names in music, Madonna seemed to “position herself as the queen of a new generation of pop stars.” CBS

Finally, Cee-Lo Green entered as a drum major, backed by dancers in maching band attire. After brief interludes of “Open Your Heart” and “Express Yourself”, Madonna, Cee-Lo, and the dancers shifted into gospel wear and closed out the show with “Like a Prayer”. After that, she disappeared in a puff of smoke down a trap door and the field lit up with the words “World Peace”.

As expected, the 12-minute show was very visual and heavily choreographed. As one blogger said, everyone knew she’d make it “dazzling and unforgettable” NJ and the show “was probably the most impressive Super Bowl halftime performance ever.” NJ Despite how nervous she’d said she was before hand, Madonna tore “through her hits with plenty of superstar swagger.” MTV Unlike last year’s Black Eyed Peas, who looked like “awkward amateurs,” NJ Madonna looked like “she belonged there.” NJ

Critics were quick to suggest that her “vocals were not strong throughout” CBS and simultaneously rip on her for her “vocals being lip synched or augmented by tapes.” WSJ She also appeared to slip on the stage during “Music”, but quickly recovered. For those fearing a “wardrobe malfunction” or other deliberate controversy-baiting moments, Madonna managed several costume changes, but all without incident. However, M.I.A. flipped the bird while belting out a line with an expletive bleeped out.

One of the strangest pre-show criticisms was that Madonna wouldn’t appeal to football fans. For those uttering such rumblings, perhaps they need a reminder that this is the most televised event of the year attracting the eyeballs of more than 100 million viewers. There are a lot more than just football fans tuning in. The halftime show should feature an iconic singer who can provide solid entertainment. Given that criteria, Madonna was a perfect fit.



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Saturday, February 4, 2012

The Five Worst Super Bowl Halftime Shows

Super Bowl Halftime Shows:

The Five Worst

Warren Moon, Minnie Mouse, and a slew of kids at Super Bowl XXV

With Super Bowl XLVI kicking off this weekend, fans all over the world are prepping for the big event by making runs to the grocery store for beer and chips. They’re also engaging in another tradition which has become pretty integral to the annual NFL showcase – grousing about halftime shows. For roughly 25 years, the midway point of the biggest game in football was devoted to cheesy themes, lots of marching bands, and four too many shows featuring Up with People. In 1993, sagging ratings lead to a long overdue concept – tapping the biggest artists in the world to perform. They couldn’t have kicked things off any bigger than with Michael Jackson.

However, there have been some real stinker shows before and after then. Today’s blog focuses on five of them, as determined by an aggregate of 16 lists which ranked the worst Super Bowl halftime shows.

5. Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (1995). Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass, Tony Bennett, and Miama Sound Machine performed. The performers weren’t the worst choices in the world, but the goofy Indiana Jones storyline was completely transparent as a shameless promotion of Disney’s newest Indiana Jones attraction.

4. The Black Eyed Peas (2011). There seemed to be a lot of venom targeted at this performance. I’m not entirely sure why. Since Janet Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction” in which Justin Timberlake exposed her breast to the world, the halftime show had pretty much been entrusted to classic rock artists who were past their prime, but weren’t likely to do anything embarrassing. The Black Eyed Peas were the biggest current group around and made for a logical choice to go after a contemporary audience. Apparently someone told them they had to still go after a classic rock audience, though, so they trotted out Slash to play guitar while Fergie strutted about doing a very unnecessary remake of Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine”.

3. Winter Magic (1992). As a sort of last hurrah to the halftime shows which crammed as many performers on the field as possible for cheesy song-and-dance numbers, we got an odd medley of tunes traditionally associated with Christmas. In the second half, macho football fanatics everywhere were treated to figure skating from Brian Boitano and Dorothy Hamill in a tribute to the 1992 Winter Olympics before things wrapped up with Gloria Estefan.

2. Small World Tribute to 25 Years of the Super Bowl (1991). I’m sure prancing on to a stage with Minnie Mouse is the highlight of Warren Moon’s football career. Look, I don’t subscribe to the idea that the halftime show should cater to the average NFL fan, but they also shouldn’t go to the other extreme with a show full of Disney characters, dancing and singing children, and New Kids on the Block.

1. Be-Bop Bamboozled in 3-D (1989). I can’t help but imagine a planning committee joking about what would make for the worst halftime show ever – and then having those notes fall into the hands of someone who thought it was real. Yes, folks, not only did we get an Elvis impersonator/magician (Elvis Presto!) performing the world’s biggest card trick, but we the show was presented in 3-D! At least in introducing the show, Bob Costas acknowledged the goofiness of it all with his line, “This is the single proudest moment of my life.”

Thankfully, there have been plenty of good halftime shows as well. You can see all of the halftime shows ranked here.

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First posted 2/4/2012; last updated 2/8/2022.

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Monday, February 8, 2010

Now Presenting the Half Time Show Starring the Theme Songs of CSI

I can’t shake this image of a CBS board meeting in which the discussion turns to entertainment for the Super Bowl Half Time show. Some smart alec suggests CBS find a way to shamelessly plug their shows. Everyone shifts in their chairs uncomfortably, feigning disgust while wiping the spittle from the corners of their lips as they salivate at the thought. Some genius quickly notes, “well, all three of our CSI shows use theme songs by The Who,” followed by the observation that in recent years the NFL has shown a distinct fondness for what we’ll politely call “heritage acts.” (Personal note: I’d much rather watch The Who or Springsteen or The Stones than Jonas Brothers or Miley Cyrus, but I don’t represent the younger audience typically coveted by the Boob Tube).

Ta-dah! Someone’s on the phone to the management of Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey and their who-the-heck-are-they fill-ins for drummer Keith Moon and bassist John Entwistle. At this point, Who critics launch into well-rehearsed arguments that the band shoulda hung it up three decades ago when a drug overdose sent Moon to the great rock and roll beyond. When illegal substances also took out Entwistle nearly a quarter century later, Townshend and Daltrey should have happily taken their senior discounts at the local multiplex and started hitting local diners for the early bird specials.

This is the kind of rallying argument that is roughly like supporting the fight against poverty or homelessness. There isn’t really anyone arguing FOR poverty or homelessness, is there? Similarly, rock music fans don’t argue in favor of, ahem, “heritage acts” milking their catalogs for every ounce of profit even if it means the star who leapt off speaker towers forty years ago is now breaking a hip when he slips off the stage.

The naysayers can whine about how good the Who were back in ’64 when they first started out, but I say, at age 64 if Townshend still wants to flail his arm around in that iconic windmill pose, then damned be the retirement home. Rock musicians are strangely held to a different standard than musicians from other genres. To my knowledge, the blues world hasn’t called for B.B. King to quietly put Lucille in her guitar case and back away. I’m not aware of anyone crying foul that Willie Nelson still trots out on stage night after night in his bandana and braided ponytails. Yet people cringe when an old fogie (are there young fogies?) who once wrote “hope I die before I get old,” uh, well, doesn’t.

The problem is how rock and roll was born out of the celebration of youth. The Beatles broke up before any of them hit their thirties. Jimi Hendrix is permanently frozen in time at age 27. Buddy Holly was tragically taken before his time because, well, the rock and roll legend-making machine said it was his time.

Let’s be real here, though. Rock and roll has also always been about making money and – believe it or not – making music. There's also the whole sex and drugs thing, but that's another blog entry. Why should anyone be faulted for doing what they know how to do and taking home a paycheck because of it? I say let the Pete Townshends of the world still perform, even when they need a walker to get on stage and a teleprompter to remember words they’ve belted out thousands of times before. I’d rather The King didn’t take his final breath on the toilet at 42. I’d prefer that the looney bin got a hold of Mark David Chapman pre-December 8, 1980. I wish the Lizard King hadn’t drowned in his bathtub, that “Me and Bobby McGee” hadn’t been a posthumous #1, and that Neil Young’s lyric “better to burn out than to fade away” wouldn’t evoke the image of a grunge god and a shotgun.

Rock and roll is littered with too many casualties whose untimely deaths were investigated by real CSI units. If the Who want to sing the CSI theme song for a possible audience of 100 million, then more power to them. Here’s hoping that all our living rock legends get a chance to milk the line “hope I die before I get old” for every last ounce of irony.


Also check out Dave's Music Database on Facebook, where a top 10 best songs of the Who list has been posted.
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