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60 Songs That Explain the '90s

The Ringer

186 episodes

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 page 2 of 4

  1. “Complicated”—Avril Lavigne

    · 1 h 20 min · S1 E11

    Rob looks back at the music career of pop star Avril Lavigne while celebrating her smash hit “Complicated.” Along the way, Rob dives deep into the idea of the anti-Britney Spears and much more! Later, he is joined by…

  2. “Hurt”—Johnny Cash

    · 1 h 44 min · S1 E10

    Listen as Rob celebrates the life and career of the music icon who is Johnny Cash and his 2002 legendary cover of “Hurt.” Along the way, Rob discusses Cash’s work with Rick Rubin and much more. Later, Rob is joined by…

  3. “In the End”—Linkin Park

    · 1 h 37 min · S1 E9 · Explicit

    Rob travels down memory lane and looks back at his not-so-kind review of Linkin Park’s diamond-selling debut album, 'Hybrid Theory,' before celebrating the band’s undeniable greatness. Along the way, he also pays…

  4. “Work It”—Missy Elliott

    · 1 h 31 min · S1 E8 · Explicit

    Join us in a moment of 60 Songs history being made as Missy Elliott becomes the first artist with not one, but two songs in the 60 Songs hall of fame with “Work It” added to the mix. In celebration, Rob shares memories…

  5. “Kids”—MGMT

    · 1 h 32 min

    This week, Rob assures you that yes, he was there, boots on the ground, for the indie rock (nay, indie sleaze?) boom that hit New York City in the 2000s. Rob sets the stage for the music scene that MGMT launched itself…

  6. “The Middle”—Jimmy Eat World

    · 1 h 33 min · S1 E6 · Explicit

    It’s Jimmy Eat World Day here at '60 Songs,' and in typical Rob fashion, we take the scenic route to get to “The Middle.” Before we talk Jimmy Eat World’s smash hit, we discuss the time Rob’s friend got hit with a…

  7. “Paper Planes”—M.I.A

    · 1 h 32 min · S1 E5

    Rob looks back at some major performances that came with pregnancy announcements, before focusing in on M.I.A and her 2008 hit “Paper Planes.” Along the way, Rob also touches upon the controversies that came with…

  8. “Chop Suey”—System of a Down

    · 1 h 31 min · S1 E4

    Join Rob in watching a mosh pit from a safe distance away while we celebrate System of a Down’s “Chop Suey.” Along the way, Rob discusses tension amongst band members, their potent political messages, and Rick Rubin’s…

  9. “In da Club”—50 Cent

    · 1 h 36 min · S1 E3

    Rob looks back at some of the greatest haters in the history of music in celebration of the legendary hater and rapper that is 50 Cent. Later, Rob guides us through the rise of 50 Cent in the early 2000s. Then, he’s…

  10. “Back to Black”—Amy Winehouse

    · 1 h 23 min · S1 E2 · Explicit

    Join Rob in celebrating Amy Winehouse, and missing her voice like the rest of us. Along the way, Rob discusses the biopic ‘Back to Black’ and ‘Amy’ before taking some time to cherish Amy Winehouse’s iconic song and…

  11. “Mr. Brightside”—The Killers

    · 1 h 27 min · Explicit

    Join us as Rob kicks off a new era of '60 Songs' with a deep dive into the 2000s anthem “Mr. Brightside” by the Killers. Of course, along the way, Rob brings the head-scratching tangents that you know and love. New…

  12. Introducing 60 Songs That Explain the '90s: The 2000s

    · 1:08 · Trailer · Explicit

    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,…

  13. “Closing Time”—Semisonic

    · 1 h 31 min

    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…

  14. “Friends in Low Places”—Garth Brooks

    · 1 h 40 min · Explicit

    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,…

  15. “Give Me One Reason”—Tracy Chapman

    · 1 h 32 min

    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…

  16. The Songs We Didn’t Do (Everyone Yells At Rob)

    · 1 h 47 min · Explicit

    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…

  17. “Hard Knock Life”—JAY-Z

    · 1 h 34 min

    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…

  18. “Black or White”—Michael Jackson

    · 1 h 51 min

    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…

  19. “Iris”—Goo Goo Dolls

    · 1 h 30 min

    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,…

  20. “Freedom! ’90”—George Michael

    · 1 h 32 min

    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…

  21. "Believe"—Cher

    · 1 h 34 min · Explicit

    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…

  22. “Are You Gonna Go My Way”—Lenny Kravitz

    · 1 h 37 min

    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…

  23. “What’s Up”—4 Non Blondes

    · 1 h 32 min

    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…

  24. “Santeria”—Sublime

    · 1 h 33 min

    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 Bradley Nowell, and the jarring storytelling on the…

  25. ‘60 Songs’ x ‘Bandsplain’ Live at the Teragram

    · 1 h 45 min · Explicit

    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…

  26. “I’ll Be Missing You”—Puff Daddy and the Family

    · 1 h 34 min

    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…

  27. “Glory Box”—Portishead

    · 1 h 34 min

    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…

  28. “Lovefool”—The Cardigans

    · 1 h 24 min

    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…

  29. “My Name Is”—Eminem

    · 1 h 28 min

    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…

  30. “Black Hole Sun”—Soundgarden

    · 1 h 33 min

    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…

  31. “One”—U2

    · 1 h 27 min

    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…

  32. “Merchandise”—Fugazi

    · 1 h 33 min

    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…

  33. “Say My Name”—Destiny’s Child

    · 1 h 31 min

    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…

  34. “Fade into You”—Mazzy Star

    · 1 h 35 min

    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…

  35. “Birdhouse in Your Soul”—They Might Be Giants

    · 1 h 28 min

    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…

  36. “Around the World”—Daft Punk

    · 1 h 27 min

    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…

  37. “Regulate”—Warren G & Nate Dogg

    · 1 h 23 min

    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,…

  38. “Down by the Water”—PJ Harvey

    · 1 h 29 min

    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…

  39. "Tubthumping"—Chumbawamba

    · 1 h 22 min

    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…

  40. “Gett Off”—Prince and the New Power Generation

    · 1 h 25 min

    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…

  41. “If It Makes You Happy”—Sheryl Crow

    · 1 h 27 min

    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…

  42. “Loser”—Beck

    · 1 h 31 min

    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…

  43. “Shoop”—Salt-N-Pepa

    · 1 h 19 min

    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…

  44. “Smells Like Teen Spirit”—Nirvana with Courtney Love

    · 2 h 43 min

    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.”…

  45. '60 Songs' Returns May 17!

    · 0:30

    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

  46. "A Roller Skating Jam Named ‘Saturdays'"—De La Soul

    · 1 h 34 min

    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…

  47. “Torn”—Natalie Imbruglia

    · 1 h 19 min

    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:…

  48. “Macarena”—Los del Rio

    · 1 h 15 min

    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…

  49. “Basket Case”—Green Day

    · 1 h 23 min

    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…

  50. “Enjoy the Silence”—Depeche Mode

    · 1 h 15 min

    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…

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