60 Songs That Explain the '90s

We are so back! Join us on another musical journey through a new decade as Rob Harvilla digs through the biggest songs of the 2000s like only he can. The Strokes, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Arcade Fire, Missy Elliott, Kanye West, and many more are on table. New episodes every Wednesday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's last call for '90s songs and Rob's memories as the show draws to a close. So there couldn't be a more fitting moment for Semisonic's “Closing Time” to be chosen as the episode's focus. Listen as Rob grapples with his feelings of discomfort with the word goodbye, and stay for a final sendoff to the greatest '60 Songs' guest of all time, Yasi Salek. 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

In the penultimate episode of 60 Songs, Rob takes it way back. Listen as he recalls the first song he remembers consciously hearing as a baby before diving into the world of Garth Brooks and 90's country music. Later, Tyler Parker joins the show to discuss what Garth Brooks means to Oklahoma and much more. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Tyler Parker Producer: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob ranks the books he was forced to read in high school before turning his focus on the greatness of Tracy Chapman's “Give Me One Reason” from her 1995 album ‘New Beginning.' Later, Rob is joined by fellow Ohio native and author Hanif Abdurraqib to discuss why Ohio breeds such great writers such as Tracy Chapman. The guys also get into Chapman's appearance at the Grammy's and much more. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Hanif Abdurraqib Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello friends, and thank you for stopping by for a very special episode of 60 Songs. With just three songs remaining, it felt like a great week to have some of Rob's favorite guests as well as producers stop by and yell at him over songs that he missed. Enjoy! Host: Rob Harvilla Guests: Andrew Savage, Yasi Salek, Elamin Adelmahmoud, Alex Steed, Leslie Gray Streeter, Isaac Lee, Jonathan Kermah, and Justin Sayles Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob looks at JAY-Z's career backwards this week before reaching the rap legend's 90's pop crossover hit, “Hard Knock Life.” Along the way, Rob highlights the masterclass that is Funkmaster Flex premiering Kanye West and JAY-Z'a “Otis” on Hot 97 and much more. Later, the Ringer's Wosny Lambre joins the show to discuss what JAY-Z's rise to power in New York in the 90s, the importance of Hot 97 to New York rap, and JAY-Z the hyper-capitalist. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Wosny Lambre Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob reminisces on his time witnessing Janelle Monae perform at South By Southwest in the year of Michael Jackson's passing, before looking back at the King of Pop's televised funeral. Along the way, Rob looks back at the height of Jackson's powers in the '80s as well as a bit more tumultuous era in the '90s. Later, Wesley Morris joins the show to aid in deciphering how to process Michael Jackson's career draped in success and controversy. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Wesley Morris 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 movie ‘High Fidelity' and observes the similarities between himself and one of the characters, who is also named Rob. Somewhere along the way, our Rob focuses in on Matthew Sweet, the Knack, Material Issue, and other artists singing power-pop songs about women they usually don't get in the end. Finally, Rob gives attention to the Goo Goo Dolls and “Iris.” Later, Rob is joined by Niko Stratis to discuss the unavoidable nature of “Iris” while working retail jobs in the '90s and much more. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Niko Stratis 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 top five songs that make him still feel like a 6-year-old, before turning his attention to the great George Michael. Along the way, Rob highlights a letter written to Michael from Frank Sinatra with his best dramatic reading. Later, Rob is joined by Rob Tannenbaum to discuss whether George Michael is on the MTV Mount Rushmore, and much more. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Rob Tannenbaum Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob takes a trip down memory lane and once again back to his days of watching ‘Beavis and Butt-Head' before stopping at his memory of the time Beavis and Butt-Head met a woman. That woman was Cher. Cher's influence in the world of auto-tune is also discussed along the way. Later, Rob is joined by DJ Louie XIV to discuss the impact of Cher's “Believe.” Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: DJ Louie XIV 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 his MTV watching days as a child in the late 80s before turning his attention to Lenny Kravitz. Along the way in his monologue, Rob highlights Kravitz's appearance on ‘The Arsenio Hall Show' in 1991 and the perceived disconnect between black radio/publications and Kravitz's music. Later, Rob is joined by writer Elamin Abdelmahmoud to further discuss Kravitz's recent comments on this disconnect. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Elamin Abdelmahmoud Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob indulges in outright negativity when focusing on some of the worst songs of the '90s before turning his attention 4 Non Blondes' “What's Up,” voted one of the worst songs of the '90s by Rolling Stone. Later, Rob is joined by journalist and host of ‘Fine Beats and Cheeses' Leslie Gray Streeter to discuss how '90s music criticism discredited the music of 4 Non Blondes. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Leslie Gray Streeter Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listen as Rob reminisces on some of the funniest songs he heard from the back seat of the car as a child, before turning his focus to Sublime, the band's frontman Brad Knowell, and the jarring storytelling on the Sublime song “Date Rape.” Somewhere along the way, Rob is able to regain focus on the song at hand, “Santeria.” Later, Rob is joined by his “daughter” Yasi Salek from Bandsplain to discuss what Sublime means to her as a fellow west coaster (1:00:00). 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

Listen as Rob and Yasi Salek are joined by Chris Ryan to hold the ultimate '60 Songs' draft! But before we get to that fantastic main event, Yasi roasts Robs for some of his worst mispronunciations across the history of the '60 Songs That Explain the 90s' pod, and there's even a very special guest to kick off this special episode. This episode was taken from our live super show at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles on November 17. Hosts: Rob Harvilla and Yasi Salek Guests: Chris Ryan and Rob's Mom Producers: Jonathan Kermah, Jesse Miller-Gordon, and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob looks back at the “SADNESS” mixtape that he put together in 1996 before turning to the tragic passing of the Notorious B.I.G., and mogul Puff Daddy's transition from executive producer in the background to full-blown artist honoring Biggie (01:48). Stay tuned to hear guest Sowmya Krishnamurthy share her experience as Puff Daddy's assistant and much more (58:15) Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Sowmya Krishnamurthy Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listen as Rob confesses about that time where he sorta…kinda…maybe…beat up a guy at a Portishead concert in 1997. Stay as he dives into the world of trip-hop while celebrating Portishead's “Glory Box” as well as other bands such as Massive Attack. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Simon Reynolds Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listen as Rob lets us in on his dream of being the guy that plays piano at a party and serenades all the ladies. And if that isn't enough for you, stay as he looks back at the 1996 film ‘Romeo + Juliet' and the Swedish rock band the Cardigans while celebrating their hit “Lovefool.” SIGNED BOOKPLATE COPIES are available for preorder via Premiere Collectibles: https://premierecollectibles.com/harvilla Don't forget to get your tickets to the '60 Songs' live show on November 16! Get your tickets here: https://teragramballroom.com/tm-event/the-ringer-presents-60-songs-that-explain-the-90s-x-bandsplain-live/ Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Maura Johnston Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob reflects on the times when he was a child in the car with his mother and inappropriate songs played on the radio, as well as his times as a parent driving his kids and explicit songs played in the car. This all leads to a deep dive on the ever-so-controversial rap icon, Eminem, and what his hit “My Name Is” meant to the '90s. Later, Rob's editor and the host of ‘The Wedding Scammer,' Justin Sayles, joins the podcast to discuss growing up as a white rapper around the time of Eminem's rise to stardom. SIGNED BOOKPLATE COPIES are available for preorder via Premiere Collectibles starting on Thursday, October 12: https://premierecollectibles.com/harvilla Don't forget to get your tickets to the '60 Songs' live show on November 16! Get your tickets here: https://teragramballroom.com/tm-event/the-ringer-presents-60-songs-that-explain-the-90s-x-bandsplain-live/ For more from Justin Sayles, subscribe to his new podcast, ‘The Wedding Scammer,' here: https://open.spotify.com/show/01UW2ZRTU0Q5Gj3uLHO1v6?si=EJJh0V9NQieSZjz6ZKmfow Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Justin Sayles Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob is back for the final stretch of '60 Songs That Explain the '90s,' and this week, it's all about guitar tone! Listen as Rob peruses Smash Mouth's wild discography before turning to Soundgarden and their hit “Black Hole Sun.” Rob also somehow finds the time to share his top five favorite made-up band names. Later, author Mark Yarm joins the show to discuss Soundgarden's place within the big four of grunge music. Preorder Rob's book, '60 Songs That Explain the '90s,' for 25 percent off TODAY ONLY (Wednesday, October 11) via Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Songs-That-Explain/Rob-Harvilla/9781538759462 Also, SIGNED BOOKPLATE COPIES are available for preorder via Premiere Collectibles starting on Thursday, October 12: https://premierecollectibles.com/harvilla Don't forget to get your tickets to the '60 Songs' live show on November 16! Get your tickets here: https://teragramballroom.com/tm-event/the-ringer-presents-60-songs-that-explain-the-90s-x-bandsplain-live/ Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Mark Yarm Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rob looks back at ‘Ferris Bueller's Day Off' when diving into Liz Phair's “F--k and Run” and the rest of her career. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Sam Lipsyte Producer: Justin Sayles Associate Producer: Jonathan Kermah Additional Production Support: Abou Kamara Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob spills on his love/hate relationship with LeBron James over the years while deep diving on how Hootie & The Blowfish got their name, the difference between primarily fun music and totally disposable music, and the imprint left by band. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Leslie Streeter Producer: Justin Sayles Associate Producer: Jonathan Kermah Additional Production Support: About Kamara Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob explores his love for live albums while looking back at Erykah Badu's “Tyrone.” Along the way he explains why the live version of the song is the clearly superior recording. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Clover Hope Producer: Justin Sayles Associate Producer: Jonathan Kermah Additional Productional Support: Abou Kamara Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices