Superbowl 2026: Five classic rock hits soundtracking this year's ads

It’s almost time for the Super Bowl, and yes, yes, we know sports isn’t our thing here at The Sound, but music is. And there are plenty of opportunities for music to have its moment at the big game. 

Whether it be through big-budget commercials or the highly anticipated halftime performances, music is very much part of the whole shebang.

Although it is a tad sad to think that no classic rock acts have performed since The Who’s 2010 performance.

Looking in particular at the commercial side of things, there have been plenty of ads that have leaned on the shoulder of the classic rock genre to help get their message across.

A smart move, after all, it is the best genre out there, and at least if the ad is a little bit shite, the music makes it more palatable.

This year is no exception, and those tuning in to the 60th Super Bowl can expect to hear at least five legendary classic rock tunes in the form of the ads below.

Pepsi - Queen, ‘I Want to Break Free’

The perfect anthem for a polar bear (a nod to Coca-Cola's Christmas mascot), seemingly breaking free of his loyalty to one brand and becoming a Pepsi lover. 

State Farm - Bon Jovi, ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’

There was bound to be a parody in there somewhere, and one of this year's victims is Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’. Very American, this one. Honestly, it really doesn’t make the ad more palatable, but you can’t blame an insurance company for trying, I guess. 

Budweiser - Lynyrd Skynyrd, ‘Free Bird’

Not completely sure what’s going on in this one, but we stayed for the music. 

Absolut Tabasco - Lou Reed, ‘Take a Walk on the Wildside’

Tabasco and Vodka? A wild combination indeed. Not sure we’d be taking shots of that anytime soon, but we’ll happily (or maybe just willingly) watch the ad if it means getting to listen to Lou Reed’s ‘Take a Walk on the Wild Side’. 

Hummer - Chris Isaak, ‘Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing’ 

Well, this one’s even more confusing than the Budweiser one. Its only saving grace is that it features Chris Isaak's ‘Baby Did a Bad Thing’ - a bloody good tune that, although from 1995, still has that classic rock feel about it. 

The ad would’ve been a whole lot better if they played more of the song, turned it up, and maybe just simplified whatever they had going on. 

Well, that’s enough ads for one day. May we suggest enjoying some classic rock in full as a palate cleanser?