Classic Rock Lives On During Super Bowl LVII

Stop fretting about the halftime show; we promise you will hear tons of classic rock music during this year’s Super Bowl—especially during the commercials.

The Halftime Show Dilemma

Rock fans have expressed growing frustration in recent years as pop singers and hip-hop stars have dominated the coveted halftime show spot year after year. The last classic rock act to grace the Super Bowl stage was The Who, back in 2010. This absence has left many long-time fans longing for the days when rock legends were front and center during the big game.

2026 Super Bowl: Expectations and Reality

With the 2026 Super Bowl set to take place at the home stadium of the San Francisco 49ers, many had hoped to see Bay Area rock icons like Journey or Metallica headline the halftime show. However, the honor instead went to Puerto Rican pop star and professional wrestling sensation Bad Bunny, leaving classic rock enthusiasts disappointed.

A Rocking Game Experience

Relax. While the halftime show might not cater to classic rock fans, the game itself will feature arena-rocking anthems such as:

• Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train”
• Queen’s “We Will Rock You”
• The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army”

Moreover, it’s already confirmed that at least ten Super Bowl commercials will showcase classic rock tracks, and we wouldn’t be surprised if even more make an appearance throughout the broadcast.

Classic Rock in Super Bowl Commercials

Here are some of the classic rock songs you can expect to hear in this year’s commercials:

Lou Reed, “Take a Walk on the Wild Side”

Brand: Absolute Tabasco

Drinking cocktails while seated on an active volcano definitely counts as taking a walk on the wild side, making Lou Reed’s 1972 hit the perfect soundtrack.

Queen, “I Want to Break Free”

Brand: Pepsi

The polar bear from Coca-Cola’s Christmas commercials just got himself into big trouble.

Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Free Bird”

Brand: Budweiser

A baby bird born without a mother gets adopted by a Budweiser Clydesdale, and guess which Lynyrd Skynyrd song plays when it finally learns to fly?

Survivor, “Eye of the Tiger”

Brand: Michelob Ultra

At first, we thought Kurt Russell was in Death Proof mode, but instead, he helps one of the skiers stop being the group punching bag with the help of Survivor’s training montage anthem.

Blondie, “Call Me”

Brand: Supergirl

Hot on the heels of “One Way or Another”‘s appearance in the excellent Send Help, another Blondie classic plays in the background during this summer’s Supergirl movie commercial.

Neil Diamond, “Sweet Caroline”

Brand: Hellmann’s Mayonnaise

Andy Samberg portrays “Meal Diamond,” amusing diners while singing his own version of Neil Diamond’s iconic 1969 hit.

The Beatles, “All Together Now”

Brand: Starbucks

How can you afford licensing a Beatles song for your Super Bowl commercial? By selling overpriced milkshakes, apparently!

Elvis Presley, “Suspicious Minds”

Brand: Uber Eats

Matthew McConaughey helps get back at Bradley Cooper with the help of Elvis Presley’s classic as he hijacks his annoying football conspiracy commercials.

Rupert Holmes, “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)”

Brand: Xfinity

Turns out the world of Jurassic Park could have turned out much differently if they just had a better Wi-Fi connection, accompanied by Holmes’ hit about a couple who find out they’ve been cheating on each other.

Chris Isaak, “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing”

Brand: Hummer

The opening track to Isaak’s gorgeous breakup album plays as two electric Hummers navigate around a basketball court.

Conclusion

While classic rock may not dominate the halftime show, fans can look forward to a plethora of rock anthems echoing throughout the Super Bowl, particularly in commercials. With iconic tracks featured in various ads, this year’s game promises to deliver a nostalgic experience for rock enthusiasts. So, grab your snacks, settle in, and enjoy the classic rock vibes that will undoubtedly enhance your Super Bowl Sunday.

FAQs

Will any classic rock artists perform during the Super Bowl halftime show this year?

No, this year’s halftime show will feature Bad Bunny, a pop star, rather than any classic rock artists.

What classic rock songs will be featured in commercials during the Super Bowl?

Confirmed songs include tracks from Lou Reed, Queen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and more, making for an exciting lineup.

When was the last classic rock act to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show?

The last classic rock act to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show was The Who, in 2010.

Are there more classic rock songs expected to be featured in Super Bowl commercials?

Yes, while ten songs have been confirmed, it’s likely that more classic rock tracks will be featured in additional commercials.