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It was a ballsy move for Justin Timberlake to sign on to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show this year. Of course this was only going to bring up the memories of what happened the last time he took that stage, and did he really want discussions of nipples clouding the promotion for his new album, Man of The Woods (out this Friday, 2/2, two days before the big game). Still, it is the world’s biggest stage. And surely he’s got an ultra-entertaining performance planned. But let’s hope he’s run down this handy check list of what audiences do and definitely do not need from his Super Bowl halftime show.
DO NEED: “SexyBack”
Very first and foremost, make sure “SexyBack” is ready to go. This is a certified jam and 100% the best song he has ever released and it might even be better when it’s performed live. Even dudes in the beer line at the game will have no problem bopping along to this one. With the sleek choreography and undeniable ability to get any butt shaking, he can really show ‘em how it’s done with this song. If it were up to me, it would be 13 minutes of this song on repeat.
DO NOT NEED: Anything Off Justified
“Like I Love You” is great. This is not the place for that. Sorry, “Senorita”, not your time either. Listen to “Rock Your Body” in your own car or shower or headphones, we don’t need songs from the 2002 album here. And really, “Cry Me A River” had its brilliant moment in Lady Bird, revisit that if you need to hear that song. This guy’s got new music to focus on, we can’t be dipping this far back into the past.
DO NEED: Sigh, The Sing-alongs
“Mirrors” is not my favorite song. But if everyone if that damn stadium has a little light up doohickey or even their cell phone flashlights held high above their heads and shining brightly, it’s impossible to not get goosebumps when thousands of people are singing that song at the top of their lungs. I’ll allow it.
Also, Timberlake found arguably the biggest hit of his career with 2016’s “Can’t Stop The Feeling” from the Trolls soundtrack. Everyone knows that song, and they will bounce along to it, and then happily curse him when it’s stuck in their head on Monday morning. It’s for the families.
DO NOT NEED: Jay Z Songs
Jay’s been one of the rumored guests that could join Justin on stage, and that’s fine. But their songs together do not make the cut for this performance. “Suit & Tie” is no one’s favorite JT and Jay Z song, and “Holy Grail” was never the hit Timberlake believed it to be. Why it was included in his Justin Timberlake and The Tennessee Kids Netflix special will never make sense to me. We don’t have time for this on Sunday. Their other collaboration together, “Murder”, is a jam but was never released as a single so that would be very odd if it popped up.
DO NEED: Pharrell
One of the best options for special guest might be Pharrell. The two reunited in the studio to make new jams for this upcoming album, and they share a special friendship. “Supplies”, produced by Pharrell, is the best of Timberlake’s three new songs (but the worst video). A snippet of that could be fun. And it would be awfully easy for them to roll from “Can’t Stop The Feeling” into “Happy”. Plus, with Pharrell’s N.E.R.D. getting ready to run the music festival circuit this year, they could display just what a fantastic and energetic live show they put on.
DO NOT NEED: Britney
WHY. Why do people insist, 16 years later, on associating these two. Who were you dating 16 years ago? Do you want them involved in the biggest professional moment of your life? Probably not. Will I be dancing my butt off at her upcoming tour this summer? Oh, you know it. This is not her stage. We have to move on from these two. Plus, you think Jessica Biel has any interest in these two reuniting for a Super Bowl performance? I don’t know her, but I know she does not.
And while we’re at it, no *NSYNC either. Their 2013 VMA reunion was nice and nostalgic if not a little awkward and forced. That was enough.
DO NEED: Prince
Let him do a Prince song. He’ll do it justice. It will be a nice nod to Prince’s Minneapolis roots. Timberlake wouldn’t dare mess that one up. Could be a nice way to lead off or wrap up the performance, and will have people feeling good, as long as he sticks to something upbeat and dancey.
DO NOT NEED: Secondary Singles
The biggest fear I have for this situation is that Timberlake will lean on secondary singles that no one really needs to hear from him. That’s you, “What Goes Around”, that’s you “Take Back The Night”, that’s you, I’m so sorry, “My Love”. There’s simply not enough time! If you need those songs, the overpriced tickets for his upcoming tour are now available on Ticketmaster.
DO NEED: Show Off That Band
The Tennessee Kids are what make Timberlake the extraordinary stage performer he has come to be. They’re one of the most impressive and comprehensive bands any current solo artist has supporting them. This band works their whole entire butts off for the whole show. They have an incredible energy, smiles plastered on their face, and they seem to have the absolute best time through every note of each song. They sway, they dance, they celebrate, they sing, they sweat. If Timberlake lets them shine, he’ll look great. This also goes for his dancers who are graceful and precise and ridiculously fun to watch.
DO NEED: Wow, I Can’t Believe I’m Saying This…Go Country
Chris Stapleton could also emerge as a surprise guest, which would be…fine. But if Timberlake wants to use the stage to show off his latest single “Say Something” with Stapleton, he’s gotta lean into that country side. He touched on it with his last album The 20/20 Experience, and if that’s the direction he wants to go, he really has to do it. Whip out that guitar, hit “Drink You Away”, let the crowd chug their beers and sing along. Since this seems to be a side of his music he’s diving deeper into for the new album, put it on display. Don’t you dare go full country artist on us, but if he wants to use this time to remind the world of his Tennessee roots, it wouldn’t be the worst.
This just might be the best way to get such a large crowd on-board, especially with the new tunes he’s trying to sell, considering we don’t need a full performance of his other new single, “Filthy.” A snippet of that one will suffice. And just in case there are any people in the crowd that need a reminder, and in a stadium full of football fans, there definitely will be, this kind of collaboration proves what a talented and versatile musician Timberlake truly (and annoyingly) is.
UNDETERMINED: Janet
Timberlake has largely spent the lead-up to this performance insisting he’s on good terms with Janet Jackson, it’s in the past, he’s learned from it, etc. etc. etc. If he truly wants to move forward and separate himself from the infamous 2004 moment, he’s not going there. That’s understandable. But…
If he did, wow. He would earn some major respect at a time when he could use it (see: #MeToo, Woody Allen). Janet’s on tour, she’s in shape and ready to go. It would be something to see and it would get people talking. Normally, I’m a big proponent for moving on, but I’m even more in support of a magical musical moment.
Really, as long as Timberlake and his crew go out there and have fun and don’t force us to talk about nipples for the next 14 years, then it will be a success.
