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Artwork for 60 Songs That Explain the '90s

60 Songs That Explain the '90s

The Ringer
Hip Hop
Nickelback
Country Music
Gorillaz
How To Save a Life
Rock Music
Feel Good, Inc.
Queens Of the Stone Age
The Fray
Pop Music
Britpop
Jay-Z
System Of a Down
Grunge Music
Kyuss
Grey's Anatomy
Live Like You Were Dying
Mr. Brightside
Iris
2000s Rock Music

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes174Founded4 years ago
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Music

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Artwork for 60 Songs That Explain the '90s

Latest Episodes

This episode is for the ladies up in here tonight! Before her hips became internationally renowned, Shakira was making Spanish rock music from the age of 14. Today, Rob looks back at her crossover album 'Laundry Service,' which was released as other ... more

Imagine, you’re on the road with an indie sleaze band making sock puppets sing obscenities when Sesame Street gives you a call. Leslie Feist’s career can most similarly be compared to the life of Benjamin Button with her most successful and youthful ... more

This episode is for all of the people who don’t know the difference between a meteor, meteoroid, and meteorite. Rob finally opens up about his hipster phase of life that nearly got him killed (his words, not ours). He recounts all of the “freak folk”... more

Will you come to my cottage this summer and blast Canadian rock music? Rob is asking … for a friend! This week, we analyze the dramatic comeback of the Wolf Parade song “I’ll Believe in Anything” after its use in the hit gay hockey show ‘Heated Rival... more

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Recent Guests

Suzy Exposito
Critic and columnist; assistant editor for the Delos Vertical at the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
Episode: Shakira — “Hips Don’t Lie”
Garrett Kamps
semi-lapsed veteran music journalist; former SF Weekly music editor; co-founder of Third Bridge Creative; CEO of Small Bow Media Network
Small Bow Media Network
Episode: Joanna Newsom — “Emily”
Cole Cuchna
Host of the Dissect podcast, guest on this episode
Dissect
Episode: Radiohead — “All I Need”
Bartees Strange
Critically acclaimed singer and songwriter
Bartees Strange (artist)”
Episode: TV On The Radio — “Wolf Like Me”
Open Mike Eagle
Rapper and podcaster, friend of the program
Episode: Madvillain — “All Caps”
Chuck Klosterman
Author and writer, guest discussing football culture and music journalism
Author, Football (book)
Episode: The White Stripes — “Seven Nation Army”
Rob Mahoney
Senior staff writer for The Ringer and podcast personality
The Ringer
Episode: Paramore — “Misery Business”
Jill Hopkins
Journalist and podcast host, Civic Events producer at Metro Chicago and G-Man Tavern
Metro Chicago; G-Man Tavern
Episode: The Darkness — “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”
Steven Hyden
Critic and author, known for works on music and rock criticism
Author of 'There Was Nothing You Could Do, Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA and the End of the Heartland'
Episode: Bruce Springsteen — “The Rising”

Host

Rob Harvilla
Host of 60 Songs That Explain the '90s; long-running music essayist and analyst

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 8.6k ratings
  • the most well written podcast about music I have ever come across. Every episode, even ones about songs I dont know/like/care about. The script takes you on a musical journey. Its impressive honestly.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    wayneD
    2 months ago
  • Rob is the best

    Love this show. Big fan!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Huntridge1969
    United States2 months ago
  • I don’t leave reviews but…

    I listen to podcasts daily…for hours every day, for years. I have never been compelled to write a review until now. This podcast is just fantastic. Host Rob Harvilla makes 90+ minutes flash by in a blink of an eye with his story telling and incredible lengthy meandering intros, and I use the word “meandering” in the most positive and appreciable way. I love this podcast. I love the episodes where I’ve never heard of the song or the artist. I love the episodes where I’m a fan of the song and the ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JBB3466
    United States3 months ago
  • The Best Music Podcast of All Time

    Rob is so good. His writing on the podcast is super-sharp, both on an analytical level and on a line-level alacrity. Highly intelligent, insightful, clever, and often hilarious. Ron has invented a particular style of music commentary that no one else alive can do half as well. And he finds a distinct hook and controlling idea for over 150 different song episode and counting. Definitely the overall best music podcast I’ve ever heard. (Although, I hope Rob will forgive me for pointing out that the... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TheMidnightBackslider
    United States3 months ago
  • Best show for my long runs

    Amazing podcast that makes me forget I’m running in -20c ; so happy to have a huge back catalog to discover!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    IsabelleMTL
    Canada3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise in-depth research and storytelling that evoke nostalgia while teaching new context.
Some critique the interview segments as uneven, but essays are consistently strong.
Fans appreciate the host's humor and knowledge, calling it unique and engaging.
A few listeners feel the 2000s episodes are weaker but still value the overall archive.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#5
United States/Music
Apple Podcasts
#23
United States/Music
Spotify
#12
United Kingdom/Music
Apple Podcasts
#5
Canada/Music
Apple Podcasts
#52
United Kingdom/Music
Spotify
#4
Australia/Music

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Shakira — “Hips Don’t Lie”
Q: How did the industry and fans react to Shakira's English-language shift with Laundry Service?
There was some disappointment among longtime fans over the blonde makeover and English-language pivot, but many recognized it as a strategic move that broadened her global reach while preserving her distinctive, edgier rock sensibilities.
Shakira — “Hips Don’t Lie”
Q: What makes Hips Don't Lie stand out in the context of Shakira's crossover into English-language pop?
The track is notable for its seamless blending of Spanish and English lyrical cues, Wyclef's presence, and a vocal mix that keeps Shakira front and center, helping translate her distinct edge into a broader pop audience without diluting her identity.
Joanna Newsom — “Emily”
Q: Was the East record a reaction to the reception of Milk-Eyed Mender, or simply a continuation of her artistic vision?
It was a natural evolution, a confident expansion into orchestration and length, driven by her own creative drive rather than reaction to criticism.
Joanna Newsom — “Emily”
Q: When you first encountered Joanna Newsom, what about her made such a lasting impact on audiences?
Her harp playing, the acapella beginnings, and her unusually literate and expansive lyricism created a rare, almost cinematic presence that could silence a crowd and pull them into a shared moment of listening.
Wolf Parade — “I’ll Believe in Anything”
Q: Does the viral moment around I'll Believe in Anything change how Wolf Parade is perceived or operate currently?
The discussion suggests the viral moment confirms the band's enduring appeal but emphasizes they remain true to their core—prioritizing artistic integrity over mass-market appeal.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About 60 Songs That Explain the '90s

What is 60 Songs That Explain the '90s about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show provides long-form, essay-driven explorations of popular songs from the late 20th century and early 2000s, often pairing meticulous musical analysis with personal storytelling and cultural context. Episodes hinge on deep-dive histories of iconic tracks, the eras that shaped them, and the artists' broader legacies, with guest voices offering specialized perspectives from music journalism, filmmaking, and local scenes. A standout quality is the blend of lyrical/narrative critique with vivid recollections from the host, creating a nostalgic yet timely look at pop culture milestones. The format balances research-forward essays with conversations that illuminate how songs reflect and influence their moments in time, making it appealing ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to 60 Songs That Explain the '90s?

These podcasts share a similar audience with 60 Songs That Explain the '90s:

1. Bandsplain
2. The Rewatchables
3. The Big Picture
4. One Song
5. The Watch

How many episodes of 60 Songs That Explain the '90s are there?

60 Songs That Explain the '90s launched 4 years ago and published 174 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on 60 Songs That Explain the '90s?

Recent guests on 60 Songs That Explain the '90s include:

1. Suzy Exposito
2. Garrett Kamps
3. Cole Cuchna
4. Bartees Strange
5. Open Mike Eagle
6. Chuck Klosterman
7. Rob Mahoney
8. Jill Hopkins

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