k’s Analysis Of Tom Petty’s Halftime Performance
Despite the beard, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers totally rocked the Super Bowl performance. In general, since the horrible fiasco that passed as a Halftime Show a few years past (who can ever forget Janet Jackson’s nipple, who can ever forgive Kid Rock’s using the American Flag as a poncho), the performances have gotten away from flash (as much as a rock-n-roll band on a neon-lit guitar-pierced-heart-shaped stage at the Super Bowl can) and back to genuine musicality. And I loved the guitar and heart at the beginning!
Let’s face it, only Tom Petty can get away with “Free Fallin’” at the Super Bowl…after all, as cool as the song is, it’s basically a mid-tempo ballad with a basic 4/4 drum beat, despite the soaring chorus and cool riffs. He pulls it off not only on the superior strength of the song, but simply on plain supercoolness. Let’s see Bob Rock do that!
Other Petty standards–opener “American Girl” and second song “Won’t Back Down”–held up fabulously, and closer “Runnin’ Down A Dream” is rockin’ at its best. My foot was pounding an imaginary bass drum throughout the whole performance. You could watch this one with your meemaw and not be embarrassed…nary a nipple slip in sight. Yet, for all the safe clothing, it’s plain that Petty and his band still have what it takes to rock the house down.
Hey, hey, Paula…are you paying attention? This is how it’s done. He totally brought it, and Tom is almost twelve years older than you are. Take notes…substance over superficiality.
DISCLAIMER: My choice of words reflects my own views and opinions of Mr. Petty’s beard upon Mr. Petty’s face, and do not necessarily reflect the views of this site. I mention this because there are some who have taken umbrage with my choice of words to open this article: “Despite the beard…”
I would like to make it clear that I have no problem with beards of any size, shape, color, or nationality. Some of the closest friends I have are beards. My own father owns a beard and enjoys it very much.
I apologize to any beards whom I might have offended with my choice of words, and rest assured that I do in no way discriminate against anyone who has grown any sort of beard (including, but not limited to, goatees, Van Dykes, soul patches, and full ZZTop-length facial hair).
However, I cannot change the wording now, as it has already been picked up by Google News in its original form. In the future, I will attempt to be more beard-friendly in my postings, and have scheduled a class on Facial Hair Sensitivity to help me further my personal education on all things follicular.
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Petty was terrific. The sound was good for tv sound and the performance was spectacular. Best halftime show since U2 in 2002. Amazing.
Comment by Josh Hathaway — February 3, 2008 @ 8:38 pm
oh, and the beard is an improvement. At 58, he needs the coverage.
Comment by Josh Hathaway — February 3, 2008 @ 8:42 pm
YES!!!! Tom Petty was a fabulous choice. He was great and always knows how to make the crowd happy. Loved it.
Great job k!
Comment by D — February 3, 2008 @ 8:44 pm
Well, I can take or leave the beard. It was just a bit of a surprise to me.
But yeah…looks like the general consensus is that Petty rocked!
Comment by k — February 3, 2008 @ 8:48 pm
I like how they’re just having headlining acts doing the super bowl. It always got on my nerves when they’d have 47 different artists on stage, each one trying to take control of the mic.
Plus, That image of Steven Tyler singing *NSYNC’s “It’s gonna be me” still tears at my soul a little. Made the Nipplegate incident seem like small taters.
Comment by Bellesouth — February 3, 2008 @ 8:48 pm
Yeah, that one was pretty sad. I agree that they should have ONE act for the halftime show.
Should we blame Michael Jackson for those overblown halftime shows that took precidence for a while there?
Comment by k — February 3, 2008 @ 8:53 pm
Tom Rocks !!!
Comment by Rhonda — February 3, 2008 @ 8:57 pm
Tom Petty tore the place up! Beat the crap out of the prancing purple one by a long shot. Petty rocked tonight!!!
Comment by madtrexhatter — February 3, 2008 @ 9:25 pm
Petty was awesome!!!
Comment by Kathi — February 4, 2008 @ 12:10 am
Whaddaya mean “despite” the beard? Are you suggesting that bearded men can’t rock? I think a lot of sixties and seventies bands and musicians and their fans would beg to differ…
Personally, I think he looks really cool with the beard. It covers a multitude of not-so-attractive features. He’s got a hippy-guru thing going on now. It works.
Comment by Exyank — February 4, 2008 @ 2:31 am
Sorry gang but Im a Petty fan and I was disappointed.
Its SUPERBOWL for gosh sakes. I want Flash, Pyro and KID ROCK. lol
As much time as he spends entertaining our troops in Iraq, He can wear the flag whenever he wants too. lol
It was just a little slow for me.
Comment by Angel — February 4, 2008 @ 6:55 am
Tom Petty was the best - I’m a new fan since watching Bogdonovich’s “Running Down a Dream” and I think TP totally delivered. Now I’m going to run out a buy some tickets for the summer tour!
Comment by Cathy — February 4, 2008 @ 8:25 am
Well, in general I like beards…it just took me by surprise, that’s all. I hadn’t seen him with the beard.
I like beards…my own dad has a beard, and he’s cool!
I personally like Tom better clean-shaven, but what do I know?
Comment by k — February 4, 2008 @ 10:16 am
Sorry, Angel, but no Bob Rock can’t.
And the SB performance by Tom Petty was great. A perfect example of a band that doesn’t need flash and pyrotechnics to hide behind…just straight-up rock-n-roll.
Comment by k — February 4, 2008 @ 10:19 am
tom petty had a beard of and on for years.I really don’t know what the big deal is about a beard.
Comment by mike — February 4, 2008 @ 3:06 pm
Um…it’s not a big deal, other than just my personal preference…?
I mean, I loved the halftime show, isn’t that the important thing?
Comment by k — February 4, 2008 @ 3:28 pm