THAT’S how you do a Super Bowl commercial.
Following yesterday’s conference championship games which saw the New England Patriots edge the Denver Broncos in a snow-filled defensive battle and the Seattle Seahawks power past the Los Angeles Rams in another shootout between the two teams, the stage is officially set for Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California this year.
Of course, the Super Bowl is equally about the marketing — commercials specifically — as it is the game itself, with dozens of brands, movies and products fighting for the highly-coveted spot during the biggest sporting event in the country.
Last week, we already saw Bud Light continue to course correct after their 2023 Dylan Mulvaney fiasco — which is believed to have cost Anheuser-Busch InBev over $1.4 billion in sales — by continuing their partnership with Shane Gillis. This time around, for Super Bowl LX, they brought along both Post Malone and Peyton Manning with Gillis for the pre-released teaser of the actual commercial which air some time during the game itself.
Today, Budweiser is celebrating their 150th anniversary with an early release of their yearly Super Bowl commercial featuring their iconic Clydesdales, this time titled, “American Icons,” and it very well might be their best one to date.
As we all know, the Budweiser Clydesdales have been nothing short of an American icon at this point. Being a symbol of Anheuser-Busch’s tradition and heritage since 1933, “American Icons” marks the 48th Super Bowl spot featuring the beloved horses.
It’s safe to say that Budweiser has never shied away from delivering some stunning commercials featuring both the Clydesdales and music, highlighted primarily by their use of The Band’s “The Weight” back in 2024, Passengers’ “Let Her Go” in 2014 and my personal favorite, “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac in 2013.
This time around, Anheuser-Busch is upping the ante by featuring none other than Lynyrd Skynyrd’s beloved 1973 smash hit, “Free Bird,” in this year’s “American Icons” commercial.
Beginning the commercial with the iconic opening strums of “Free Bird’s” intro, a young foal, the youngest ever featured in a Budweiser ad by the way, leaves its stable and stumbles upon a baby bird before returning back to its home. After a cut to a torrential downpour, the same foal is seen protecting the same bird. Once the chorus of “Free Bird” begins picking up, the relationship between the two begins to bloom with the foal attempting to help the bird learn to fly by running with it on its back.
Cutting immediately to the end of the chorus before the now famous, sprawling guitar solo of “Free Bird,” both the full-grown Clydesdale and the bird, which is revealed to be an eagle, come into frame. With the solo beginning to kick, the eagle takes flight as the Clydesdale leaps with the stunning sunset behind them.
Talk about some classic American imagery, am I right?
Though it was just released only a few hours ago, “American Icons” is already looking to be an instant classic for Budweiser. Taking a look at their YouTube comments, many are calling it their best commercial to date with others praising the use of “Free Bird.”
“I think A-B has outdid itself with all the other commercials they’ve ever done, this was good and should get an award.”
“Beautiful commercial to be honest what I look forward to the most is the new Budweiser commercial”
“Legit the best commercial to date.”
“Best commercials. This one gave me chills.”
“Beautiful commercial with the perfect song choice”
“Love this.”
“Best one yet!!”
“Beautiful commercial with perfect song choice”
“Lol who knew a beer commercial could make a sober person cry”
Though only time will tell how well this one holds up, especially considering Budweiser’s long-history of stellar commercials, there’s absolutely no denying this is primed to be one of the best of the year come Super Bowl Sunday.
Check it out for yourself below.
