On February 5, Indianapolis will host Super Bowl XLVI — the 46th iteration of America’s biggest game. Millions of fans will gather ’round the television set with seven-layer dip and cold drinks to watch an epic match-up of teams, the year’s funniest and most expensive commercials and most importantly — as far as we’re concerned — Madonna’s Super Bowl halftime show. The newly minted Interscope singer has been on her grind lately, promoting her Golden Globe-winning directorial debut W.E., unleashing a super sexy fragrance line and gearing up for the release of her 12th studio album MDNA and a world tour.

With so much going on, can Madonna still quarterback a show as memorable as these 10 amazing Super Bowl halftime performances?

TOP 10 MOST MEMORABLE SUPER BOWL HALFTIME PERFORMANCES

10. U2 honor the victims of 9/11 at Super Bowl XXXVI (2002). Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the Irish supergroup gave a bittersweet performance of “Where The Streets Have No Name”, while the names of FDNY, NYPD and the passengers of American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 93 were projected on stage behind the band.

9. Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake get NSFTV at Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004). Litigation for perhaps the most controversial Super Bowl halftime moment of all time was just recently put to bed — seven years after the MTV-produced segment first aired. The five-minute set saw Janet rocking a medley of “All For You” and “Rhythm Nation” before JT joined her on stage for the big, um, reveal during “Rock Your Body”, off Justified.

8. Gwen Stefani gets Stung at Super Bowl XXXVII (2003). Halftime shows have frequently paired together odd combos of musicians. And when Gwen Stefani joined Sting on stage for “Message in a Bottle” there was a definite “Well, that’s not something you’ll see everyday” vibe.

7. Stevie Wonder shares the stage at Super Bowl XXXIII (1999). Apparently someone thought Stevie Wonder didn’t pack enough star power to command the entire Super Bowl halftime stage, so producers brought Gloria Estefan, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and tap dancer Savion Glover along for the ride. The show was all over the place, with Wonder running through his hits before clomping along with Glover, then making way for Estefan’s salsa-tinged, baton-wielding finale.

6. It’s a small world for New Kids on the Block at Super Bowl XXV (1991). The groundbreaking boy band’s first run happened to coincide with America’s first war in the Middle East: Desert Storm. The resulting feel-good Disney-fied performance was actually pre-recorded and then aired after the game, due to news coverage of the conflict.

5. Everybody loves Paul McCartney at Super Bowl XXXIX (2005). After “Nipplegate,” the NFL powers that be thought it wise to go with a “guaranteed-not-to-get-naked” act. Sir Paul McCartney is a classy guy and turned in a sterling set of Beatles faves “Drive My Car” and “Get Back”, before delivering a pyrotechnic punch with “Live and Let Die” as a finale.

4. The Black Eyed Peas rep GNR at Super Bowl XLV (2011). Who, besides people with short-term memory loss, could forget last year’s halftime show, which introduced the world to Fergie’s Axl Rose impression? The show experienced an array of sound and technical problems that critics were enthusiastic to point out.

3. Pop royalty reigns at Super Bowl XXXV (2001). Basically everyone you cared about in 2001 took the stage that night: *NSYNC, Britney Spears, Aerosmith, Mary J. Blige and Nelly all performed, with a hilarious comic lead-in from Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller and Chris Rock. There’s really nothing else that needs to be said.

2. Michael Jackson brings the “World” to Super Bowl XXVII (1993). It’s no surprise that the King of Pop sits so high on our list: MJ gave an electrifying performance with all the right moves, performing his biggest hits to date, including “We Are The World”.

1. Prince makes it (purple) rain at Super Bowl XLI (2007). When Prince took the stage with his powder blue guitar with matching leopard strap, the crowd erupted in cheers only a true giant of pop can produce. He whipped through his own hits as well as a surprise cover or two (who expected to hear a Foo Fighters jam?). But it’s the finale, when mother nature decided to get into the act, that truly makes this performance. As the Artist Formerly Known As The Artist shifted into “Purple Rain”, the skies opened fully and it… rained. With water dripping down his guitar, streaking down his face, and the A&M marching band glowing neon through the downpour, it was a moment of high drama and celebration, and the perfect way to cap off our list.

Did our list of Most Memorable Super Bowl Halftime Performances makes your list of Most Memorable Lists? Sound off in the comments below, or on Twitter and Facebook.

—Reporting by Maud Deitch

A few of our favorite to make the cut:

Top-Grossing North American Tours 2011

1. U2
2. Taylor Swift
4. Lady Gaga
6. Elton John
8. Kanye West & Jay-Z
9. Lil Wayne
14. Britney Spears
22. Katy Perry

Top-Grossing Worldwide Tours 2011

1. U2
4. Taylor Swift
6. Elton John
7. Rihanna
11. Britney Spears
13. Justin Bieber
14. Lady Gaga
16. Katy Perry
17. Usher
20. Shakira
21. Kylie Minogue
23. Kanye West & Jay-Z

For the Top 25 rankings and grosses, head over to Pollstar.

Q magazine’s AHK-toong BAY-bi Covered will be released in the UK on October 25. Overseas plans will be announced soon.

Garbage – “Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses” (U2 cover)

Here’s the full track list:

Nine Inch Nails – Zoo Station
U2 (Jacques Lu Cont Mix) – Even Better Than The Real Thing
Damien Rice – One
Patti Smith – Until The End Of The World
Garbage – Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses
Depeche Mode – So Cruel
Snow Patrol – Mysterious Ways
The Fray – Trying To Throw Your Arms Around The World
Gavin Friday – The Fly
The Killers – Ultraviolet (Light My Way)
Glasvegas – Acrobat
Jack White – Love Is Blindness

Clinton, who served two terms as President from 1993 to 2001, stated the following in a press release:

“I am proud that some of today’s most influential performers are coming together to raise awareness about the work of my Foundation. In the past decade, commitments to my Clinton Global Initiative have improved the lives of more than 300 million people around the world. We’ve lowered the cost of AIDS and HIV treatment, combated climate change, strengthened economies, increased access to education and healthcare, provided financing and mentoring for small businesses. This celebration marks ten years of these efforts and demonstrates how much we can do to make a difference in the years ahead.”

Let’s hope Mother Monster gets Bubba on his feet with a rousing rendition of “Government Hooker.”

“Not one child should be denied food nor water,” said Bob Marley’s widow, Rita Marley.  “Not one child should suffer. Along with Save the Children, we must stand up together as friends to put a stop to this, to feed our children and to save their lives.” You can download the short film and its soundtrack from iTunes for $1.29 by clicking here.

By enlisting the help of music’s A List, the organization hopes High Tide Or Low Tide will be seen by 700 million people around the world. Watch the film below.

Reeve Carney feat. Bono & The Edge — “Rise Above”

[Via Vulture]

Coldplay — “Fix You” (at Glastonbury)

Cee Lo Green — ”Crazy” (at Glastonbury)

U2 – “I Will Follow” (at Glastonbury)

Janelle Monae — “Tightrope” (at Glastonbury)

Big Boi — “Shutterbug” (at Glastonbury)

Jessie J — ”Who’s Laughing Now” (at Glastonbury)

Tinie Tempah — ”Wonderman” (at Glastonbury)

“I actually practiced three songs that I had already done on the show,” Haley says of being told there was a chance she would replace Alaina during the finals. “But I knew in my heart it wouldn’t happen. I didn’t even want it to. I thought, on one hand, it’s an honor to be able to get that opportunity and how it’s never happened before. On the other, it was hers to win or to lose. I already had my time to say goodbye.”

There’s no word on whether we’ll get to hear that original song, or whether she’ll release a single. “Probably not now, but it was an option when I was let go. They had said that it was going to happen, and like everything else in this business, it’s all subject to change. I was excited about it, but then again, I think I’d like to wait and come up with something that’s very me. Everything happens for a reason, so it’s all good.”

Not that we don’t appreciate Bono or anything, but anyone else out there agree that watching Haley perform a new song would have been infinitely more enjoyable than trying to drum up any excitement for a disappointing song from a terribly-reviewed musical?

[Via PopCrush]

#1. Beyonce – “1 + 1″
Beyonce, you are our American Idol. (Sorry, Scotty.) The pop star (in her second of two performances for the night) belts out her new 4 single and completely steals the whole show. She sounds and looks amazing, and though we were iffy when we first heard the song (about a half hour before the Idol finale began), this live performance sealed the deal for us. Expect this ballad to be covered in every piano bar from here to eternity.

#2. Marc Anthony with Sheila E and Jennifer Lopez
We expected Marc Anthony to perform on the Idol finale (being J-Lo’s hubby, you get some major perks), but we had no idea this muy caliente performance would be one of the most showstopping numbers of the night. Especially when Jennifer’s renown booty (as well as the rest of her) joins her partner on stage to slink around him and shake her derriere like the pro she is. This is the non-embarrassing version of Kara running around in a bikini during the finale a few years ago – a judge doing sexy just right.

#3. Haley Reinhart with Tony Bennett
If only they had done Tony Bennett night this season, Haley might have become a frontrunner even earlier and advanced into the finals. This is a perfect pairing and a totally gratifying performance for the lounge-loving Reinhart.

#4. Steven Tyler – “Dream On”
Lest anyone forget that Steven Tyler is more than just inappropriate come-ons and unique exclamations, the Aerosmith frontman still kills it when he hits the stage. A good reason to trust this man’s opinion about performing when he gives it.

#5. Beyonce sings with the Top 13
Beyonce busts out her moves, and brings her own backup dancers with her. (You think the Top 13 girls can shake it like Bey needs them to? No.) We’re surprised that this performance doesn’t conclude with “Run The World (Girls)”, but we suppose twice on TV in one week is enough for that song.

#6. Casey Abrams and Jack Black – Queen’s “Fat Bottomed Girls”
Yeah, we know he’s only there to promote Kung-Fu Panda 2, but pairing up Jack Black with Season 10’s quirkiest contestant is an inspired choice. We do wish Casey brought out his melodica or bass one last time, though – if they had gone serious, we bet he could have made it work with Tony Bennett, too.

#7 Jacob Lusk with Kirk Franklin and Gladys Knight
Before Jacob somehow adopted an incredibly arrogant and cocky persona, we had a soft spot for the church crooner. This song showcases him right in his element.

#8. Lady Gaga – “The Edge Of Glory”
Has Gaga officially performed on Idol more times than anyone else? We swear she’s on this show every other week. Anyway, she performs her new Born This Way single, and with her stuck on top of the Aggro Crag from Nickelodeon’s Guts the whole time, we’re a bit disappointed with the whole thing. (That dive off the cliff was fun, though.)

#9. Scotty McCreery and Tim McGraw – “Live Like You Were Dying”
Is it just us, or does the Idol champ sound even better on this song than Tim McGraw?

#10. Lauren Alaina and Carrie Underwood – “Before He Cheats”
It’s cute. That’s about it.

#11. Top 13 – “Born This Way”
We were pretty sure the Idols wouldn’t sing the lyrics “Don’t be a drag, just be a queen” and “No matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian, transgendered life” – and they didn’t prove us wrong. Still, this is a pretty kick-ass performance… for a group number, anyway.

#12. Top 13 Girls sing a Beyonce medley
Needs more Beyonce.

#13. James Durbin with Judas Priest
James looked like a lost member of The Village People in a spiked leather vest, hat and arm bands. Are we sure he’s not actually one of Gaga’s leather-clad backup dancers?

#14. Top 13 Guys sing a random medley including “What’s New Pussycat”, “She’s A Lady” and Prince’s “Kiss
We were initially extremely excited since this medley began with Prince’s “Kiss” – is Prince going to perform?!?! He is in LA for his 21-Night Stand tour, after all! Turns out, no, he’s not, and nor will this medley have any sort of theme besides songs that have not been on Top 40 radio in over a decade. UPDATE: Apparently I missed that this was a Tom Jones tribute, thrown off by the inclusion of Prince’s “Kiss” (which Tom Jones did a cover of). Oh, well. Doesn’t make me enjoy it any more knowing it’s less random than I thought.

#15.Tom Jones and the Top 13 Guys – “It’s Not Unusual”
Needs more Beyonce.

#16. Bono and The Edge with Reeve Carney – “Rise Above” from Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark
Well, at least Spidey didn’t fall into the audience and kill someone.

#17. Top 13 Girls with Lil Jon and TLC For Some Reason
Are Lil Jon and TLC also in Kung-Fu Panda 2? Why on earth are they there? We have no idea how either act was chosen by Idol producers to be an appropriate, timely choice to perform at the finale nor why they were paired together. The biggest WTF moment of the night.