After Super Bowl halftime performances from Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, and Paul McCartney in recent years, it’s not a huge surprise that The Who were chosen as the headline entertainment for the XLIV edition. Beyond being a Boomer fave and therefore “safe” for consumption by mainstream America (the exception to all of the above being 2007’s electrifying set from Prince), the cynical might venture a step further, smelling a bit of obvious synergy in the selection; three of The Who’s songs do serve as themes for the juggernaut CSI franchise on CBS, the same network airing tonight’s NFL championship match-up between the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts.

We already know which songs The Who will showcase at Miami’s Sun Life Stadium tonight, since guitarist Pete Townshend shared the set list a couple of weeks ago. Biggies “Baba O’Reilly,” “Pinball Wizard,” “Tommy, Can You Hear Me?” “Who Are You,” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” made the cut, all chosen for their celebratory vibe (yes, the three CSI songs are included). Though Townshend’s early reveal was unusual, one Who-related item is still undetermined: How a new remix of “My Generation” by the Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am featuring Slash, commissioned to raise money for Haiti earthquake relief, will be featured in the Super Bowl broadcast.

With the NFL holding veto power over which songs make the Super Bowl set list, classic Who tunes like 1967’s “Pictures Of Lily,” with its implicit theme of teenage masturbation, never had a chance at big-stage consideration. In 2001, no less than David Bowie gave the song a go, covering it for the band-approved tribute album, Substitute: The Songs Of The Who. In Bowie’s hands, “Pictures Of Lily” takes on an anthemic quality, the tempo slowed down and imbued with a singalong bent. Hear here:

David Bowie – “Pictures Of Lily” can be found on Substitute: The Songs Of The Who, which also features covers by Pearl Jam, Sheryl Crow, Paul Weller, and Stereophonics featuring Noel Gallagher. Now out of print, the album is ridiculously cheap via Amazon resellers.