21 Years Ago Today (2005): Paul McCartney Headlined the Super Bowl XXXIX Halftime Show
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McCartney Takes the Big Stage
On February 6, 2005, Paul McCartney brought his music to one of the world’s largest live audiences as the headlining performer for the Super Bowl XXXIX halftime show in Jacksonville, Florida. The event was held at Alltel Stadium during the game between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles, which the Patriots won 24–21. McCartney’s set was watched by tens of millions of fans on television and around the world.
The NFL chose McCartney after the controversy at the previous year’s halftime show, when a moment during the Super Bowl XXXVIII performance led to widespread criticism and regulatory attention. McCartney, a member of The Beatles and one of the most famous musicians in rock history, was seen as a safe and crowd-pleasing choice who could unite fans of different ages.
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A Four-Song Set of Favorites
McCartney’s halftime performance included four well-known songs from his long career. He opened with “Drive My Car,” a classic Beatles track, followed by another Beatles hit, “Get Back.” He then moved into “Live and Let Die,” the dramatic theme he wrote for the James Bond film. The show ended with “Hey Jude,” which turned into a massive sing-along as thousands of fans joined in.
The setlist was designed to appeal to a broad audience and avoid controversy, focusing on familiar songs that many people know. “Live and Let Die” was supported by fireworks and lighting effects that drew attention to the music, while “Hey Jude” encouraged audience participation.
A Show With Visual Impact
The stage design played a key role in the visual presentation of McCartney’s show. A large array of video boards formed a cross shape on the field, helping project images and effects during the songs. While some saw the “Drive My Car” visuals as resembling a car commercial on screen, the overall production added energy and helped keep the show focused on McCartney’s performance.
For “Live and Let Die,” the combination of fireworks and music created a dramatic moment that many fans remembered long after the game. When McCartney reached the final song, “Hey Jude,” he invited the crowd to sing along, and tens of thousands of attendees and viewers at home participated in the familiar “na-na-na” refrain.
Balancing Music and Sports
McCartney’s halftime show was shorter than many full concerts, but it made a strong impact in the time it had. The event marked his second appearance in a Super Bowl context, following a pre-game performance at Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002.
The show was free of controversy, a contrast to the previous year’s halftime moment that became known as “wardrobe malfunction.” McCartney’s performance appealed to a wide range of viewers, from longtime fans of The Beatles to casual viewers tuning in for the game.
By choosing songs that many people know and love, McCartney’s halftime show highlighted his long career and musical legacy while also fitting the NFL’s goal of offering a universally appealing performance for one of the most-watched television events of the year.
