This just in: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have been booked to play the halftime show of Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa on Feb. 1, 2009.

Springsteen, who has never before played a Super Bowl event, follows a string of '80s-friendly acts in recent years including Prince in 2007 and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in 2008. The New Jersey-bred bard of the blue collar just finished a 100-show tour with a show at Harley-Davidson's 105th anniversary celebration in Milwaukee. (Click here to see his recent set lists.)

The last time a Super Bowl played in Tampa's Raymond James Stadium, Aerosmith and Britney Spears were the big halftime attractions, while Styx and Sting were part of the pregame entertainment.

Assuming the Boss gets three or four songs to play during his halftime set, here are the ones we'd pick from his '80s catalog:

HUNGRY HEART (1980): A favorite at the skating rink back in the old days, this tune doesn't get nearly enough playtime anymore. (Watch a live performance.)

GLORY DAYS (1984): This song should be a warning to the next NFL spotlight hound who tries some lame celebration stunt after a routine touchdown: Someday, you'll be at home on the couch just like the rest of us. So cool it. (Video)

THE RIVER (1981): Sad and brooding. Just like the losers' locker room after the game. Or my digestive system after the fourth plate of meatless nachos. (Live performance)

DANCING IN THE DARK (1984): Even better if Springsteen pulls some fan up on the stage to dance at the ending. If he pulls up Courteney Cox again, it'd only be because she's got to have some new show premiering on whatever network is showing the game. (Video)

Oh sure, we know Born To Run will make it on the list. And personally, I'd be happy hearing Thunder Road, easily my favorite Springsteen tune.

What other songs need to be on Springsteen's short-list for the Super Bowl show?

[Photo from brucespringsteen.net]