This Sunday night is one of the biggest events in the US sporting calendar as odds on favourites The Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas. But if you’re not a sports or Taylor Swift fan, then the chances are your attention will be on the halftime show. 

It’s a prestigious spot, the privilege of legends only, as every year an artist is chosen to entertain America for just shy of fifteen minutes and with the budget of an entire Premier League Season. Past acts include Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, and who could forget Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson with their wardrobe malfunction.

This year, the Super Bowl halftime show is in the hands of Usher. With a career that spans over thirty years, an extensive catalogue of hits and an ocean of collaborators to pull from, there’s no telling what his show will have in store. But to help, here are a few Usher tracks you need to know before Sunday night. 

Yeah!

It’s how we hope Usher accepted his Super Bowl invitation, with a chorus of this 2004 smash. Taken from Usher’s fourth album, Confessions, Yeah! stayed at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 for twelve consecutive weeks. 

As well as being a hands-up anthem, this hit features Lil Jon, who also produced the track and Ludacris. Talking to the Las Vegas Review about his appearance, Usher said, “I can’t give too much, because I don’t want to blow it. But I will say that that moment will not only represent me, but it will represent my legacy and the things that I’ve been a part of in collaboration. It will remind the world that when you collaborate something amazing does happen.”

There’s a good chance Yeah! will be a special moment in Usher’s set, and perhaps one he’s not on stage alone for…

U Remind Me

It may be one of Usher’s slower jams, but this 2001 hit won Usher his first Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. It also topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for the whole of July that year and has been certified platinum in the UK. 

A smooth R&B cut, U Remind Me finds Usher catching glimpses of a past love. Although the track is a solo affair, the video featured TLC’s Chilli, his real-life girlfriend at the time. 

In the late ‘90’s, Usher was coming off the back of a run of acting gigs including Moesha, The Faculty and She’s All That. With the release of his third record 8701 and U Remind Me, he helped cement his name as an artist. Taking over the Super Bowl stage this Sunday gives Usher the chance to play all the showmanship in his arsenal. 

DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love

One of Usher’s biggest hits, DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love reached the top ten in over fifteen countries around the world. This club banger features US rapper Pitbull, who also co-wrote the song with legendary Swedish producer Max Martin. The video was directed by Hiro Murai who recently directed TV shows The Bear and Mr. & Mrs. Smith. 

Released in 2010 and taken from Usher’s sixth album Raymond v. Raymond, it’s been certified platinum numerous times in eight countries. Talking to ExtraTV about his upcoming performance, Usher said, “You’re going to get hit records,” so there’s a very good chance this massive track will have its moment. 

OMG

The first single to be taken from his epic Raymond V. Raymond. album, it gave Usher his fourth UK number one and his ninth in the US. Released in March 2010, it also meant Usher was the first act to have a US number one in the 90’s, 00’s and 10’s. 

Written and produced by will.i.am, who also features on the track, this was Usher’s second time collaborating with the Black Eyed Peas star, the first being his 2008 single What’s Your Name. 

With its sports arena style chanting, it’s almost like this song was made for the Super Bowl halftime show. In fact, it already proved so! When the Black Eyed Peas took over the show in 2011, Usher was a special guest, performing OMG together. Perhaps they’ll return the favour this weekend.

Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)

A poignant moment from his Raymond v. Raymond. record, Usher co-wrote this mid-tempo ballad with longtime collaborator Rico Love alongside The Runners and Plies. 

While it may not seem like an obvious choice from Usher’s extensive catalogue of hedonistic bangers, this track has been enjoying a renaissance on TikTok lately as female-identifying fans highlight their masculine traits in relationships with the help of some perfectly manicured facial hair.

Perhaps Usher will use the recent trend for some Super Bowl stage show inspiration? Whatever his approach may be, we know this performance will have viewers screaming OMG and Yeah! Get ready Vegas, daddy’s coming home.