60 Songs That Explain the '90s - podcast cover

60 Songs That Explain the '90s

The Ringerwww.theringer.com
First came '60 Songs That Explain the '90s.' (We did that.) Then came '60 Songs That Explain the '90s: The 2000s.' (We're doing that now—and yes, that's the actual name.) But whether you want to jump back to the Clinton years or join us as we reboot our old iPods, you can find all of the collected works of Rob Harvilla below. Come back each Wednesday for a new episode.

Episodes

Pulp—“Common People”

Rob explores Britpop band Pulp’s signature anthem “Common People” by discussing the layers of class criticism in its lyrics and the exciting but combative Britpop moment of the ’90s. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Dorian Lynskey Producers: Isaac Lee and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 24, 202150 min

Tool—“Stinkfist”

Rob explores Los Angeles metal band Tool’s “Stinkfist” by discussing how they found success mixing visceral shock and poetic depth in their music. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Laina Dawes Producers: Isaac Lee and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 17, 202146 min

Shania Twain—“Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”

Rob explores country icon Shania Twain’s crossover hit “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” by discussing her pioneering within and outside of Nashville as well as her professional and personal relationship with producer Mutt Lange. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Marissa R. Moss Producers: Isaac Lee and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

Mar 10, 202147 min

The Notorious B.I.G.—“Juicy”

Rob explores the East Coast rapper the Notorious B.I.G.’s mainstream breakout single, “Juicy,” by discussing Biggie’s life and legacy as it compares to the narrative around him and his music. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Jon Caramanica Producers: Isaac Lee and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 03, 202148 min

Temple of the Dog—“Hunger Strike”

Rob explores grunge supergroup Temple of the Dog’s signature single “Hunger Strike” by discussing the rise of Seattle as the center of the alternative rock scene, the band’s fixation with darkness, and the genre’s complex relationship with ’70s nostalgia. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Eric Harvey Producers: Isaac Lee and Justin Sayles Learn mor...

Feb 24, 202149 min

TLC—“No Scrubs”

Rob explores TLC’s blockbuster R&B hit “No Scrubs” by discussing the iconic girl group’s underappreciated impact on culture, the unjust media coverage of female artists, and their unique place in history as champions of Black women in America. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Danyel Smith Producers: Isaac Lee and Justin Sayles Learn more about you...

Feb 17, 202151 min

No Doubt—“Just a Girl”

Rob explores ska-punk sensation No Doubt’s feminist anthem “Just a Girl” by discussing the rise of third-wave ska and Gwen Stefani’s turn as a solo artist. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Puja Patel Producers: Isaac Lee and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 10, 202144 min

Dr. Dre—“Nuthin’ But a G-Thang”

Rob explores legendary producer Dr. Dre’s iconic debut album ‘The Chronic’ and its lead single, “Nuthin’ But a G-Thang,” by discussing Dre’s extraordinary chemistry with other rappers, his towering influence on West Coast gangsta rap, and his dark history of violence against women. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Sheldon Pearce Producers: Isaac L...

Feb 04, 202152 min

C+C Music Factory—“Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)”

Rob explores the C+C Music Factory’s debut hit “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” by discussing the group’s rise to popularity from the underground dance scene and the controversy surrounding their exclusion of featured singer Martha Wash. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Craig Seymour Producers: Isaac Lee and Justin Sayles Learn more ab...

Jan 28, 202144 min

New Radicals—“You Get What You Give”

Rob explores the New Radicals’ signature hit, “You Get What You Give,” performed for the first time in 22 years at President Joe Biden’s inauguration. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Rob Sheffield Producers: Isaac Lee and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 21, 202142 min

Metallica—“Enter Sandman”

Rob explores thrash metal icon Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” by discussing the band’s trajectory from their early work to their mainstream turn and their wide influence thereafter. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Dave Chang Producers: Isaac Lee and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 14, 202151 min

The Breeders—“Cannonball”

Rob explores alternative rock darlings The Breeders’ breakout hit “Cannonball” by discussing the band’s predecessor, The Pixies; Kim Deal’s uniquely captivating voice; and the song’s charming disregard for music norms. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Open Mike Eagle Producers: Isaac Lee and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po...

Jan 07, 202138 min

Master P—“Make 'Em Say Uhh!”

Rob explores Master P’s platinum single “Make 'Em Say Uhh!” by discussing the rapper’s famed business acumen, what he means to New Orleans hip-hop, and how his label No Limit Records paved the way for empowering rappers. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guests: Micah Peters and Taylor Crumpton Producers: Isaac Lee and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ...

Dec 31, 202044 min

Backstreet Boys—“I Want It That Way”

Rob explores one of the greatest boy band songs of all time, “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys, by discussing the nonsensical yet sonically pleasing lyricism and the perception of boy bands in larger cultural criticism. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Maria Sherman Producers: Isaac Lee and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices....

Dec 17, 202036 min

Smashing Pumpkins—“Mayonaise”

Rob explores the Smashing Pumpkins’ shoegazing power ballad “Mayonaise” by discussing how the eccentricities of frontman Billy Corgan directed the band’s trajectory, the band’s ability to tap into the universal feeling of isolation, and where the band was situated within the '90s rock landscape. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Bill Simmons Produc...

Dec 10, 202042 min

Mariah Carey—“All I Want for Christmas Is You”

Rob explores Mariah Carey’s modern classic Christmas anthem “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by discussing the transcendent vocalist’s tumultuous early life and career, her oft-overlooked songwriting prowess, and how the song builds on the long canon of Christmas music. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Kyla Marshell Producers: Isaac Lee and Justi...

Dec 03, 202044 min

Geto Boys—"Mind Playing Tricks On Me"

Rob explores the revolutionary Geto Boys single ‘Mind Playing Tricks On Me’ by highlighting how it expresses raw vulnerability through its lyrics and its legacy in hip-hop to the present day. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Kiana Fitzgerald Producers: Isaac Lee and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 19, 202029 min

Guns N’ Roses—“November Rain”

Rob explores Guns N’ Roses’ signature power ballad “November Rain” in all of its extremely lengthy glory by discussing the band’s turbulent trajectory, the profound genius of Slash’s guitar playing, the song’s equally recognizable music video, and the moral detriment to enjoying the creative work of Axl Rose. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Naomi...

Nov 12, 202040 min

Missy Elliott—“The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)”

Rob explores Missy Elliott’s breakout single “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” and the Hall of Famer’s singular career, highlighting her lasting influence on hip-hop and R&B as well as her longstanding partnership with legendary producer Timbaland. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Clover Hope Producer: Isaac Lee and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 05, 202036 min

Wu-Tang Clan—“C.R.E.A.M.”

Rob explores the Wu-Tang Clan’s 1993 genre-defining classic “C.R.E.A.M.” and the unique circumstances that were seminal to the group’s identity. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Lex Pryor Producer: Isaac Lee and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 29, 202029 min

Gin Blossoms—“Hey Jealousy”

Rob explores the 1992 jangle-rock hit “Hey Jealousy” and how it integrates the darkness of its lyrical content into its bright sonic framework. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Hanif Abdurraqib Producer: Isaac Lee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 22, 202036 min

Alanis Morissette—"You Oughta Know"

Rob explores the iconic 1995 single "You Oughta Know" by Canadian singer Alanis Morissette by examining its cultural influence and distinct sound. This episode was originally produced as a Music and Talk show available exclusively on Spotify. Find the full song on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Amanda Dobbins Producer: Isaac Lee and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 15, 202036 min