Tom Petty to play Super Bowl halftime

The 80s renaissance continues at the Super Bowl again this year. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are the feature act at the halftime show on Feb. 3 in Glendale, Arizona.

Tom Petty's an interesting pick. He's been in and out of the news lately, not generating a ton of publicity, but sorely in need of a re-introduction to his fans. Petty has a tough act to follow though: Prince's show at last year's Super Bowl in Miami was really the only reason to watch what was otherwise a boring championship game.

OK, so time to theorize about Petty's set list. Let's assume three songs. Here's what I'd pick:

Opening number: "American Girl." He'd hit those opening guitar licks, which forever reminds of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and I'd just jump out of my seat. It's all about THE cruising vessel.

Middle piece: "The Waiting." A nice nod to the Super Bowl being halfway over. Plus, I really dig his early 80s stuff. Odds he'll actually play this tune? None. But how about a medley? Let's put "The Waiting" together with "Here Comes My Girl" and "I Won't Back Down."

Closing it out: "Running Down a Dream." Yeah, a sappy and predictable ending. But I'm betting it really kicks live. And if you want to invite the girls from Dub's back for a mini-skirt contest during this tune, I'm sure nobody would object to the wardrobe malfunction, Tom.

Comments

I'm thinking he'll certainly do a medley of goods from the past. His catalog is so vast, how could one choose?
Here are my classic choices:
'You Got Lucky'
'Jammin' Me'
'Free Fallin'
'I won't Back Down'
'Runnin' Down a Dream'

[Bassnote]

I'm pretty sure "I Won't Back Down" will be on the playlist; it is a football game after all. I'd love to see him throw in "Even The Losers" and "Don't Come Around Here No More". Another good one would be "You Got Lucky". "American Girl" would be awesome, unfortunately it doesn't remind me of Fast Times, It reminds me of Silence Of The Lambs.

[Marissa]

grrr that first comment was me. Razzin-frazzin didn't post my name!

[Spears]

I thought about "You Got Lucky," which is fantastic, but I bet that song is deeply buried in any setlist of his -- short or long.

[Al]

I would love to hear "Love is a Long Road," but there's no way that'll happen.

Jammin' Me is a sweet choice, Marissa. Any song that has "Eddie Murphy" as a lyric is gold.

I agree with Bassnote, American Girl does really remind me of Silence of the Lambs.

"Can you hear them, Clarise....."

[80sfan]

Oh yeah I am right there with you on American Girl forever being associated with Silence of the Lambs. Maybe they can get Brooke Smith to make a surprise appearance...Nah.