Running head: BELIEVE IN LOVE 1
Abstract
This paper uses cluster criticism to identify and examine key terms in the 2016 Super Bowl
Halftime Show. The NFL welcomed Coldplay, (the headline performance), Beyonce, and Bruno
Mars. Using cluster criticism, I identify five key terms that characterize the message being sent
to the audience. These key terms include, “The Flower of Life”, Beyonce’s attire, the meaning of
the rainbow, the dancer’s sign, and the word “alive”. In addition, I also examine what is clustered
around these terms; which is love, unity, peace, and hope. The clusters around the key terms
reveal the message that the Super Bowl performance was promoting unity over political
correctness.
Keywords: 2016 Super Bowl Halftime Show, Coldplay, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, cluster
criticism
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Believe in Love: A Cluster Criticism of the 2016 Super Bowl Halftime Show
The right to free speech is one of the most valuable rights an individual has as a citizen of
the United States of America. This right gives people the opportunity to speak their mind and
give their opinions of what they think should happen (Meese, Spalding, & Forte, 2017). Today,
this amendment is used quite often in everyday life. People online share their input and emotions
on political and religious topics daily. These opinions demonstrate that people have always had a
different interpretation of any type of political issues. With cluster analysis, everyone including
famous musicians are allowed to study and artifact and interpret it the way that he/she feels the
message is coming across. In this case, Coldplay, Beyonce, and Bruno Mars choose to interpret
how to handle the chaos in the world today by giving a positive Super Bowl Performance for
their fans. This paper explores and analyzes the inspiring and inspirational show performed by
Coldplay, Beyonce, and Bruno Mars using cluster criticism.
Description of the Artifact
The 2016 Super Bowl Halftime Show kicked off with Chris Martin, the lead singer of
Coldplay singing an opening mashup to "Viva la Vida" and “Yellow” crouched down on the
ground while fans ran around him onto the field and stage. Coldplay, the headliner for the 2016
Super Bowl Halftime Show are a British alternative rock band formed in London by Chris
Martin (Dator, 2016). They have released seven studio albums, have received 85 awards from
252 nominations (Coldplay Official Website, 2017). Martin dove into fans while singing and
keeping things upbeat. The performance then moved into "Paradise" complete with fireworks,
streamers, flags and a stadium full of color (Dator, 2016). Once Martin took to the stage, which
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doubled as a video screen with a swirl of colorful flowers and sunbursts, he and the band quickly
ran through their most recent hits, including "Adventure of a Lifetime" (Dator, 2016). The
energy on the field soared even higher when Martin introduced Bruno Mars, an American singer
and songwriter that has received...
