The Dream Setlist for Usher’s Upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show

Most likely the one strategy to begin: The tune (and video) that not solely served because the framework for Usher’s Tremendous Bowl efficiency announcement, but in addition the tune that’s primarily become the centerpiece single for his complete profession. Perhaps he begins with the well-known Half I spoken-word intro — maybe with new Tremendous Bowl-themed lyrics to dial down the depth a bit — however assured, as soon as that live-wire electrical guitar riff kicks in, and Usher begins along with his first “These are my confessions…” that’s when the whole lot of Allegiant Stadium will likely be totally locked in, staying that means for the rest of the efficiency.

Then, it’s again to the place all of it started. First, it’s simply Usher in shadowy silhouette, singing the tune’s opening verse a cappella: “Earlier than something got here between us / You have been like my finest pal…” with orchestral stabs often punctuating the phrases. Then the four-hit drum intro and the acoustic groove kick in, and each tune and efficiency begin in earnest, with an impossibly wide-grinning Usher performing the unforgettable “You Make Me Wanna” chorus, with thousands and thousands of millennials throughout the nation singing alongside at dwelling.

Now that the set is de facto shifting, time to get the celebration correctly began with Usher’s Neptunes-produced 2002 smash “U Don’t Should Name.” Ush reveals he’s nonetheless as fleet of foot as he was many years earlier whereas shimmying alongside to the tune’s knocking beat, and the group goes nuts from the opening “Situaaaaations will come up…” line.

Time to gradual issues down — and likewise throw a bone to a number of the youthful followers much less conversant in these decades-old hits. The opening synths from “Good Good” emerge, together with appearances from two decidedly modern visitor stars: Summer time Walker and 21 Savage, who comply with Usher’s single run by way of the tune’s refrain with condensed variations of their very own verses from the present hit.

The larger followers within the crowd roar for the opening guitar lick to Confessions deeper reduce and fan favourite “Unhealthy Woman.” However simply as in Usher’s 2004 music video, the tune’s mid-tempo funk shortly provides strategy to the sentimental crooning of “My Boo” — with Usher reminding the group, “There’s all the time that one individual that may all the time have your coronary heart,” as duet associate Alicia Keys takes the stage to thunderous applause. Eyes water throughout the nation as they hit the primary harmonies on the pre-chorus “….and also you have been my baaaabyyyyyy.”

The flute hook from “U Remind Me” interrupts all of the teariness to remind the viewers that there are nonetheless loads of hits to get by way of. Usher’s 8701 lead single stays one in every of his most-beloved pop hits, and whereas Confessions is his defining album, each “Remind” and “Name” — together with a 3rd “U” smash in “U Acquired It Unhealthy,” which he won’t have time to get to in full, however hopefully finds room right here to sneak in a line or phrase of it someplace — ought to guarantee followers keep in mind it’s removed from his solely blockbuster.

One of many greatest social media debates this Sunday surrounding the information of Usher’s Tremendous Bowl gig was over whether or not or not he would (or ought to) carry out “OMG,” the desire.i.am-stewarded smash that divided followers upon its 2010 launch for its new dance-pop route and, properly, pretty dumb lyrics. We doubt Usher can resist bringing it out for at the least one run by way of its stadium-ready refrain, however he ought to transition pretty shortly from that into fellow floor-fillers “DJ Acquired Us Fallin’ in Love” (with the always-welcome Pitbull providing some visitor bars) and “With out You” (with David Guetta giddily fist-pumping behind the decks), making for a EDM-era Usher mini-medley to crank the celebration to a fever pitch with out alienating too a lot of his Day Ones within the course of.

A well-known wash of shimmering synths introduces the newest in our cavalcade of visitor stars: Sean “Diddy” Combs, there to supply some ideas on settling down through his “I Want a Woman (Half One)” verses. Usher takes us by way of the tune’s hook, after which the 2 possibly carry out a fast dance break to the timeless “Half Two” guitar riff earlier than the music cuts out to thunderous applause.

It wasn’t one in every of his greatest Scorching 100 hits — peaking at simply No. 17 upon its 2012 launch — however can Usher actually make it by way of his complete set with out enjoying most likely his most beloved tune of the previous 15 years, and possibly his most critically revered tune ever? “Climax” won’t be one for essentially the most informal followers, however many will likely be shortly transformed by Usher’s piercing falsetto, and the rising depth of his “I simply want you yet one more time/ I CAN’T GET WHAT WE HAD OUT MY MIND!!” wails ought to make for a surprising, properly, climax.

However in fact, “Climax” can’t be the top of it; not once we nonetheless have “Yeah!,” the most important hit of Usher’s profession and arguably the defining pop hit of all the ’00s, to get by way of. As soon as the fire-alarm synths hit and a “YYYYYEAHHHH!!!“-ing Lil Jon storms the stage, nobody at Allegiant Stadium below the age of 70 is remaining of their seats. Whereas a lot of the hits Usher’s halftime set runs by way of simply get a refrain and a verse, he does “Yeah!” all through — capped, in fact, by Ludacris coming out to carry out his all-timer of a visitor verse, and outro’d by Lil Jon main the group by way of a collection of dance instructions, identical to on the finish of the tune’s then-unavoidable music video. The efficiency goes silent along with his closing “… and reduce,” because the digicam freezes on a smoldering Usher — who can’t assist however break into one other signature grin, understanding he’s simply accomplished the mini-show of his life.