60 Songs That Explain the '90s

Rob explores A Tribe Called Quest’s “Scenario” by discussing the chemistry at the center of the group’s excellence and where the song ranks among the best posse cuts in rap history. 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: Shea Serrano Producers: Isaac Lee...

Rob explores the Luniz’ weed anthem “I Got 5 on It” by discussing the history of Bay Area rap and how the song’s remix showcases the region’s all-stars. 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: Logan Murdock and Marcus Thompson Producers: Isaac Lee and Jus...

Rob explores Tejano superstar Selena’s posthumous crossover hit “Dreaming of You” by discussing her success in both Spanish-language and English-language music as well as the monumental legacy she left behind for Latinx artists. 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 Har...

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 L...

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 y...

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...

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...

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 ge...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 a...

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 Ju...

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 Gues...

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 Gu...

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 Ha...

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 th...

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...

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 Produce...

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 Sp...

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

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 a...

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. V...

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...