Discover60 Songs That Explain the '90s
60 Songs That Explain the '90s
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60 Songs That Explain the '90s

Author: The Ringer

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The 1990s were a turning point in music: with the increasingly connected world enabling an unprecedented coalescence of various styles and genres, the decade featured the rapid evolution of sonic artistry — and subsequently shaped the soundscape of eras that followed. Listen along as The Ringer’s preeminent music critic Rob Harvilla curates and explores 60 iconic songs from the ‘90s that define the decade.

106 Episodes
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“One”—U2

“One”—U2

2023-08-1601:23:322

Rob ranks the top five funniest moments in the film ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ to kick things off for this very special U2 edition of '60 Songs.' Later, Rob focuses in on what Bono and U2 meant to music in the ’90s versus their ’80s impact. Writer Annie Zaleski later joins Rob to dive into all things U2. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Annie Zaleski Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
“Merchandise”—Fugazi

“Merchandise”—Fugazi

2023-08-0901:30:242

Rob blends his memories of watching Pee-wee Herman with flash backs of his punk rock era while praising Fugazi and their 1990 alternative rock head banger, “Merchandise.” Later he is joined by Touché Amoré singer and host of ‘The First Ever Podcast’ Jeremy Bolm to discuss how intimating Fugazi was as a post hardcore band and much more. Preorder Rob’s new book, Songs That Explain the ’90s, visit the Hachette Book Group website. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Jeremy Bolm Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rob looks back at the many times ‘Star Search’ failed to select musical stars who went on to be music icons. Don’t worry, he still finds plenty of time to give both Destiny’s Child and a young, pre-megastardom Beyoncé their flowers. Later, Rob is joined by the host of ‘Making Beyoncé,’ Jill Hopkins, to further discuss Destiny’s Child as both a buzzing ’90s R&B group and a stepping stone to Beyoncé’s pop culture domination. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Jill Hopkins Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Before highlighting Mazzy Star and their moody hit “Fade into You,” Rob shares his new favorite song with us and dives into all things slowcore. Later Rob is joined by cultural columnist at De Los, the new Latino vertical at the Los Angeles Times, Suzy Exposito to discuss all things Mazzy Star, her goth yeehaw playlist, and more (1:06:00). Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Suzy Exposito Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In a very special 100th episode, Rob looks back at the records his parents played downstairs when he was supposed to be sleeping. Oh, and of course he dedicates a significant amount of time praising the band that unlocked 90 percent of his then-12-year-old identity, They Might Be Giants. Later, rapper and host of ‘What Had Happened Was,’ Open Mike Eagle, joins Rob to discuss his shared love for They Might Be Giants and how “Birdhouse in Your Soul” forever changed his perception of music at a young age. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Open Mike Eagle Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rob shares a list of the 10 most repetitive songs of the '90s, before diving into Daft Punk and their electronic hit “Around the World.” Later, Rob is joined by Pitchfork features editor Ryan Dombal to discuss meeting Daft Punk without their helmets on, Daft Punk as Dombal’s entrance to electronic music, and much more (56:00). Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Ryan Dombal Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rob looks back at some of his most embarrassing song lyric snafus caused by radio edits while deep diving on Long Beach legends Warren G and Nate Dogg. Later, Rob is joined by Logan Murdock to discuss west coast rap, Warren G’s orgin story, and more. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Logan Murdock Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Listen as Rob highlights why ‘Loaded Weapon 1’ is the single greatest movie he's ever seen in theaters before he eventually dives into PJ Harvey’s “Down by the Water” and plenty of other ’90s songs from the singer-songwriter. Later, Rob is joined by Yasi Salek of ‘Bandsplain’ to discuss their celebrity twins, PJ Harvey’s music catalog, and much more (56:30). Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Yasi Salek Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
"Tubthumping"—Chumbawamba

"Tubthumping"—Chumbawamba

2023-06-2101:20:021

Don't call them one-hit wonders. And don't you dare try to knock them down. This week, Rob's covering the career of the British anaracho-punks Chumbawamba, including their massive hit "Tubthumping," which took over the world for a spell in 1997. Later, Rob's joined by journalist and critic Dorian Lynskey to try to contextualize the hard-to-contextualize band. Preorder Rob's new book, 'Songs That Explain the '90s,' here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/rob-harvilla/songs-that-explain-the-90s/9781538759462/?lens=twelve Guest: Dorian Lynskey Producers: Kevin Pooler and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rob reminisces over the first rock concert he attended, where Weird Al Yankovic opened for the Monkees before turning to the iconic force that is Prince and the hypersexual “Gett Off.” Later, Rob is joined by author Daphne A. Brooks to discuss Prince’s 1991 VMAs performance, his relationship with hip-hop, the Jehovah’s Witness era, and much more (1:00:00).Preorder Rob's new book, 'Songs That Explain the '90s,' here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/rob-harvilla/songs-that-explain-the-90s/9781538759462/?lens=twelveHost: Rob Harvilla Guest: Daphne A. Brooks Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rob is back to share the 10 worst songs he performed during his college open-mic-night phase, as he dives into Sheryl Crow’s “If It Makes You Happy.” Later, Rob is joined by 'Baltimore Banner' columnist Leslie Gray Streeter to discuss Sheryl Crow’s career and the mistreatment of women music stars by the media (53:00). Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Leslie Gray Streeter Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
“Loser”—Beck

“Loser”—Beck

2023-05-3101:29:021

Rob looks back at his journalism origin story while diving into the artistry of Beck and the absurdity of “Loser.” Later, Rob is joined by author Alex Pappademas, who may or may not have come prepared to recite both “Loser” and “The Humpty Dance” (55:00). Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Alex Pappademas Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
“Shoop”—Salt-N-Pepa

“Shoop”—Salt-N-Pepa

2023-05-2401:16:363

Join Rob as he dives into his deepest darkest memories of clinging to gymnasium walls as all the other brave middle schoolers got their groove on to some ’90s R&B. Oh and, somewhere along the way, listen and learn about Salt-N-Pepa and their sexually charged song “Shoop.” Later, Pitchfork’s Julianne Escobedo Shepherd joins the mix to answer some of Rob’s Salt-N-Pepa questions (48:00). Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Julianne Escobedo Shepherd Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rob is back and ready to share his inner-most thoughts on Batman movies, hearing Nirvana for the first time, and more as he looks back at quite possibly the most inescapable song of the '90s, “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” (4:00) Later he is joined by rockstar, lead singer of Hole, and wife of Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love to discuss her relationship with Kurt, Kurt’s beef with Pearl Jam, the original lyrics of “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” and much more (1:12:00). Preorder Rob’s new book, ‘Songs That Explain the ‘90s' here. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Courtney Love Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Join Rob as he explores more iconic songs from the ’90s with even more special guests starting May 17. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rob dives into De La Soul’s least favorite song to perform, the impact of the rap group, Trugoy the Dove’s passing, and more when looking back at “A Roller Skating Jam Named ‘Saturdays’” with some assistance from Open Mike Eagle on the back end. Host: Rob Harvilla  Guest: Open Mike Eagle Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rob looks back at his days in a band while diving into cover songs and Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn.” Later, he is joined by Sophie B. Hawkins to discuss her hit “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover” as well as “Torn.” Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Sophie B. Hawkins Producers: Justin Sayles and Jonathan Kermah Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
“Macarena”—Los del Rio

“Macarena”—Los del Rio

2023-02-0801:11:081

Rob looks back at the meteoric rise of “Macarena” and the song’s ability to get politicians to make a fool of themselves. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Leila Cobo Producers: Justin Sayles and Jonathan Kermah Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rob looks back at the first band he ever interviewed in his hometown while diving into Green Day’s rise to stardom.Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Hanif Abdurraqib Producer: Justin Sayles Associate Producer: Jonathan Kermah Additional Production Support: Abou Kamara Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rob looks back at his college radio DJ days while diving into Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the Silence.” Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Craig Jenkins Producer: Justin Sayles Associate Producer: Jonathan Kermah Additional Production Support: Abou Kamara Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Comments (7)

david tung

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Sep 28th
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Valentine Diannne

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Sep 22nd
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Michelle Towner

I love this podcast. It brings me pure joy. I feel a kinship, as I think we were at the same Monkees/Wierd Al concert back in the day. Pure joy and love!! My favorite episode may be Boyz II Men or Tori Amos. Thank you, this has made me a shiny, happy listener!

Aug 29th
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sophiang

The songs of the 1990s are truly timeless and make me want to listen to them every day. The 1990s ringtones here https://songsforringtones.com/ will surely make you like it too.

Jun 28th
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Hood Robert

Although there are many modern genres of music today, but somehow I still love listening to 90s songs like Five, Queen - We Will Rock You , Celine Dion—“My Heart Will Go On, especially Michael Jackson songs like Heal The World on http://sonneriebb.com/

Jun 22nd
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Cathyleen Daniele

To this day, I still like listening to 90s music, songs that bring a lot of nostalgia. I usually listen to music at: https://ringdd.com/

May 31st
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Erin Massett

As a teen I was listening to Metallica and Wu Tang Clan lol.

Apr 11th
Reply
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