20 Unforgettable Super Bowl Commercials That Got Everyone Hooked

Some of the most memorable Super Bowl commercials have featured elements of rock and metal. These moments, whether it’s renowned music setting the ideal mood or great rock stars starring in advertisements, add even more excitement to the big game.

Let’s look back at some of the greatest rock and metal moments from previous years as we prepare for another round of brand-new Super Bowl advertisements. From Queen and Guns N’ Roses to Ozzy Osbourne and Aerosmith, these ads demonstrate how great music and a little celebrity endorsement can make an advertisement a classic!

2002 – Led Zeppelin, “Rock and Roll” (Cadillac)
Since Led Zeppelin doesn’t often license their songs, you can be sure that the advertisement must be exceptional when they do. This Cadillac commercial transports viewers to another era through visuals. It begins with a man looking out at a Cadillac advertisement while seated in an antique rail car. More Cadillac billboards appear as the train advances, giving the impression that a movie is moving. “Rock and Roll” by Led Zeppelin, on the other hand, wonderfully complements the feeling of speed and freedom while boosting enthusiasm. The slogan, “You could have seen it coming.” Cadillac’s breakthrough concludes the advertisement, which masterfully illustrates Cadillac’s development.

2003 – The Osbournes (Pepsi Twist)
In this humorous Pepsi Twist commercial, Ozzy Osbourne and his children, Jack and Kelly, add their charm from reality shows. Like the drink itself, a traditional Pepsi with a lemon twist, the advertisement capitalizes on the premise that things are not always as they appear. In a dramatic Scooby-Doo-style unveiling, Jack and Kelly unveil the Pepsi Twist branding, but the big surprise is when they take off their disguises and reveal they are actually Donny and Marie Osmond. After freaking out, a bewildered Ozzy wakes up in bed—next to The Brady Bunch star Florence Henderson! Was it merely a dream, though?

2004 – Jimi Hendrix, “Purple Haze” (Pepsi)
A little Black youngster is sitting on the street in 1953, eating a piece of pizza in Seattle. He sees two beverage machines on opposing sides, one for Coke and one for Pepsi. He pauses, then selects Pepsi, unscrews the top, takes a gulp, and looks up to see a guitar-themed pawn shop in the window. This youngster is a young Jimi Hendrix, and the big revelation comes as “Purple Haze” signature riffs begin to play. Playfully, the advertisement implies that he became a guitar legend because he chose Pepsi. Well, tough luck, Coke!

2004: Pink, Britney Spears + Beyonce Cover Queen’s “We Will Rock You” (Pepsi)
A huge throng assembles in the Colosseum for a titanic conflict in ancient Rome. As three gladiators—Beyoncé, Britney Spears, and Pink—enter the arena, Ruler Enrique Iglesias relaxes on his throne while holding a chest of ice-cold Pepsi. Instead, they use strong stomp-clap beats to energize the crowd, putting their guns aside and leading a sing-along of Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” Even Queen members Roger Taylor and Brian May are in the stands, singing along. Enrique’s Pepsi chest trembles in time with the rising energy before he crashes into the arena, launching him directly into combat with a lion. The spectators are treated to ice-cold Pepsi as the gladiator queens celebrate their victory.

2005 – Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter” (Heineken)
Brad Pitt, who starred in Se7en, collaborated with director David Fincher on this chic Heineken Super Bowl commercial. The commercial, which is set to the unsettling start of “Gimme Shelter” by the Rolling Stones, follows Pitt as he discovers that his favorite beer is gone. A brief visit to the convenience shop devolves into mayhem as he is pursued by hordes of paparazzi through the streets. He returns home somehow, only to receive a phone informing him that their meeting has not been canceled, but that he needs a ride this time.

2005 – Journey, “Don’t Stop Believin'” (FedEx)
What qualities distinguish a winning Super Bowl commercial? FedEx believes they have figured out the secret, combining ten essential components for success. They have a bear, a famous person (Burt Reynolds), and, just for good measure, a traditional groin kick. Naturally, no commercial would be complete without a classic tune—play “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey. Despite being a crazy combination, it all works together in typical Super Bowl fashion.

2007 – Steve Grimmett (Garmin)
Maps can be large, cumbersome, and plain hideous. The terrifying “Maposaurus” stomps into action in this Garmin commercial, giving that issue a real form. Don’t worry, though; Garmin’s GPS has come to save the day and is engaged in a titanic, Godzilla-style battle with the beast. Steve Grimmett of The Grim Reaper delivers stirring theme music that amplifies the action even further.

2008 – Alice Cooper (Bridgestone Tires)
Because nighttime driving can be unpredictable, having trustworthy Bridgestone tires is essential. In this crazy Super Bowl commercial, a motorist speeds down the street and initially spots a deer, which is a typical sight. However, when Alice Cooper shows up with a snake in hand and fitness legend Richard Simmons shows up in the middle of a workout, things rapidly become strange. There are surprises around every corner, but one thing is certain: quality tires are crucial!

2010: KISS, “Calling Dr. Love” (Dr. Pepper Cherry)
KISS veterans Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons present Dr. Pepper Cherry immediately after they’ve rocked the stage, claiming that it has a “little KISS of cherry flavor.” Mini-KISS, a scaled-down version of the band, then takes over the show. The two groups, however, rock together instead of competing, much like Dr. Pepper with its flawless “little kiss of cherry.”

2011: Ozzy Osbourne (Best Buy)
Technology is always evolving! It’s time for a reshoot after Ozzy Osbourne discovers that 5G has already arrived while filming a high-tech commercial for 4G. Ozzy asks himself, “How many Gs are there?” as he tries to keep up. But Justin Bieber replaces him before he can receive a response. The commercial, which promotes Best Buy’s buy-back program for old devices, humorously illustrates how quickly technology is evolving.

2012: The Darkness, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” (Samsung Galaxy)
In Toronto, a bunch of irate computer enthusiasts are waiting in line outside an Apple Store, complaining. Then someone across the street takes out a Samsung Galaxy Note and utilizes the stylus on the interactive screen with ease. One of the astonished bystanders murmurs, “I don’t know what I believe anymore.” The mood immediately changes when Justin Hawkins of The Darkness bursts into the song, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love.” People start to celebrate their newfound tech enlightenment and break free from the queue. The song adds to the enthusiasm, and even former NFL player Brian Urlacher joins in.

2013: Quiet Riot, “Metal Health (Bang Your Head)” (Hyundai Santa Fe)
A kid gets turned away from a neighborhood football game and told to come back when he has a real team. Challenge accepted! With his mom behind the wheel of her Hyundai Santa Fe, he rounds up an unstoppable squad. There’s a welder, some powerhouse weightlifters, and even a bear tamer—yeah, they mean business. Packed into the seven-seater, they roll up ready to dominate, all while Quiet Riot’s “Metal Health (Bang Your Head)” blasts, setting the tone for an epic showdown.

2013: Rolling Stones, “Sympathy for the Devil” (Mercedes)
Would you make a deal with the Devil for a brand-new Mercedes Benz? In this 2013 ad, a young man finds himself face-to-face with Satan (played by Willem Dafoe), who tempts him with an offer too good to resist. As the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil” plays, he imagines his dream life—strutting the red carpet, winning a dance-off with Usher, landing magazine covers, and living in the fast lane. But when the car’s price appears on a billboard, he realizes he doesn’t need to sell his soul after all—it’s actually within his budget!

2014: Dee Snider + Loverboy’s “Working for the Weekend” (Radio Shack)
Radio Shack released a great Super Bowl commercial that literally embraced their ’80s past to demonstrate that they were moving into the future. The joke? The 1980s contacted to request the return of their store. Twisted Sisters Dee Snider, Hulk Hogan, Mary Lou Retton, Devo, Kid ‘n Play, Chucky, Alf, and others stage a wild takeover, looting the building until it is completely deserted. All of this mayhem culminates in Loverboy’s “Working for the Weekend.” entertaining commercial, but ultimately, Radio Shack’s physical locations failed, and the company is now only available online.

2015: Ted Nugent, “Stranglehold” (Carl’s Jr.)
Carl’s Jr. made waves in 2015 with their daring Super Bowl commercial for their All-Natural Burger. Supermodel Charlotte McKinney teased that she loved “going all natural” as she strutted through a farmers’ market. Until the big reveal, which showed that she was simply enjoying the all-natural ingredients in her burger, clever camera angles gave the impression that she was wearing nothing at all. The gritty guitar riffs of Ted Nugent’s “Stranglehold” accompany all of this, making the advertisement just as eye-catching as the burger.

2016: Aerosmith, “Dream On” (Skittles)
In this outrageous Super Bowl commercial, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith competes against a singing picture of himself in a Skittles commercial. Tyler calls the candy-made artwork “E to the Z ooh twiddly D-sgusting” when it is unveiled, but the portrait persists in its attempts to win Tyler around by talking, singing, and otherwise engaging with him. At last, Tyler takes the risk of striking one of his characteristic high notes. The outcome? Skittles fly everywhere when the painting crumbles, causing a delicious explosion.

2016: Van Halen, “Running With the Devil” (Acura)
Even when taken directly from a Van Halen classic, David Lee Roth’s trademark yells are hard to miss. Using his ferocious voice from “Runnin’ with the Devil,” Acura amplifies the excitement as they build their NSX sports car. Roth’s enthusiastic shouts heighten the tension as the svelte car comes to life. “Yeah, what he said” is the ad’s succinct but ideal tagline.

2017: Guns N’ Roses, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (Bud Light)
The famous piano opening of Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine” sets the tone for this 2017 Bud Light commercial, which is a deftly produced ode to friendship. The commercial traces the conversation between two friends as they go through difficult and touching times in their lives, culminating in the perfect toast. Naturally, Bud Light is present at every turn, making it the ideal complement to their trip.

2018: Black Sabbath, “Iron Man” (2018 Winter Olympics)
As Shaun White prepares for the 2018 Winter Olympics, this energetic ad pays homage to the legendary snowboarder to the tunes of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man”. The commercial, which showcases White’s incredible talent and fearless nature, has the sense of a cinematic highlight reel. The selection of music? Excellent. Because Shaun White is the only one who can truly command the slopes like an Iron Man.

2019: Motley Crue’s “Kickstart My Heart” (Planters Peanuts)
Set to the heart-pounding tunes of “Kickstart My Heart” by Mötley Crüe, this 2019 Planters commercial is the epitome of mayhem in the greatest way possible. In his Peanut-mobile, Mr. Peanut speeds across the town in an attempt to avert a catastrophic Super Bowl celebration. Before reaching Alex Rodriguez in time to prevent him from making the ultimate snack error—eating kale chips—he speeds past a smug Charlie Sheen along the way. The crowd receives a genuine game-day snack in place of the celebration, thanks to Mr. Peanut!