The Brief: This year's Super Bowl halftime show included a tribute to SpongeBob SquarePants.
DEEP DIVE
There was much anticipation about the song “Sweet Victory” being performed at the 2019 Super Bowl Halftime Show as a tribute to SpongeBob creator Stephen Hillenburg, who died last year. Leading up to the event, fans created an online petition asking for it to be performed, which accumulated over one million signatures. Ultimately, “Sweet Victory” was briefly included in the show.
In tribute, Squidward introduced Travis Scott with some SpongeBob’s signature mixture of cartoon animation and film footage. This then transitioned into the introduction for his song “Sicko Mode,” which sounds slightly similar to “Sweet Victory.”
What Is “Sweet Victory”?
In an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants titled “Band Geeks,” Squidward assembles a marching band to play at the Bubble Bowl (essentially the Super Bowl) halftime show. SpongeBob, Patrick, and friends end up rocking the stadium with a lively performance of the song “Sweet Victory.” The song, which was written by David Glen Eisley is uplifting and inspirational.
Reactions
After all the anticipation, many were happy to see SpongeBob and friends “performing” in the SuperBowl Halftime Show. However, some fans were disappointed that the much-hyped tribute was so brief.
Jumping jellyfish! #SpongeBob in the halftime show?! We're honored Goofy Goobers 💛 Thanks to all the fans and @trvisxx! #SBLIII pic.twitter.com/dxTO17KfwG
— SpongeBob (@SpongeBob) February 4, 2019
when they didn’t play the full spongebob sweet victory scene and they replaced it with sicko mode pic.twitter.com/kwDMKdWouj
— Stri:(a (@StrikaNation24_) February 4, 2019
When sweet victory was only a lead for sicko mode #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/f2qpq4SfYP
— Yana (@ykc_ana) February 4, 2019
How do you reference Sweet Victory…
Without actually playing a single moment of the Sweet Victory song#SuperBowl2019 pic.twitter.com/8y7cCEqYwm
— Joshua Wittenkeller (@TheJWittz) February 4, 2019
How could they tease us with Spongebob’s Sweet Victory and not give it to us. Damn you NFL!! !! !!#SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/m1QpylPwxO
— Emmanuel™🇩🇴 (@_mmanny) February 4, 2019
When they don’t play Sweet Victory in the #SuperBowl halftime show pic.twitter.com/1JqrkISmk6
— Katie Willard (@flight2themoon) February 4, 2019