60 Songs That Explain the '90s

Are bad lyrics good lyrics? That’s the question Rob posits as he tackles the Black Eyed Peas, who may have mastered the art of good-bad songwriting. He looks back on how the Peas jumped from hip-hop to pop after they added Fergie to their crew, until they ultimately hit dance music in 2009—but they maintained their goofy sensibility the whole way. Later, Rob’s joined by columnist Leslie Gray Streeter to discuss the merits of “My Humps” and why “I Gotta Feeling” has come to represent the Obamacore era. (00:00) Intro: Lyrics so bad that ... maybe they're good? (21:12) This week’s song: “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas (24:57) BEP’s early hip-hop days (39:05) Shifting to pop and recruiting Fergie (51:54) The wonderfully dumb ‘The E.N.D.’ and “I Gotta Feeling” (01:00:24) Interview with Leslie Gray Streeter (01:32:58) Outro Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Leslie Gray Streeter Producers: Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, Justin Sayles, and Olivia Crerie CONNECT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/60songsthatexplainthe90s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@60songsthatexplainthe90s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She sings both kinds of music—country and Western—and you better be grateful for it. Lee Ann Womack followed in the footsteps of icons like Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Tammy Wynette, but she took even greater inspiration from male country stars like George Jones. After making a name for herself with her captivating tunes, Womack reckoned with love and faith on the beautiful—and melancholy?—"I Hope You Dance," which became a crossover hit and Womack's signature song. Rob is joined by music journalist Marissa R. Moss, who discusses what Womack faced as a woman in country music during the late '90s and 2000s and the selflessness it takes to write a love song to someone who is leaving your life. (00:00) Intro: The Blues Brothers go to Bob's Country Bunker (24:19) Remembering Dolly Parton (38:11) This week's song: "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack (41:02) Womack's early tracks and the state of country in the late '90s (57:28) Is "I Hope You Dance" a sad or happy song? (01:05:27) Interview with Marissa R. Moss (01:33:12) Outro Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Marissa R. Moss Producers: Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, Justin Sayles, and Olivia Crerie Power up your play with Nintendo Switch 2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/60songsthatexplainthe90s/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@60songsthatexplainthe90s?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s been [redacted] years since our last mailbag episode, and Rob is finally back to answer all your burning questions about the ’90s, 2000s, and more. He’s joined by Bandsplain’s Yasi Salek to discuss everything from Jason Mraz to Weird Al to chain restaurants. Tune in to hear their responses to your queries (as well as Yasi’s plea for a Fuel episode). (00:00) Intro with Yasi Salek(07:57) Opening the mailbag: What is a “goth”?(17:25) Which songs explain the 2020s so far?(28:36) Which episode would you do over?(35:26) Thoughts on Weird Al and regrettable hot takes(57:48) Favorite eras of music and ’90s artists Rob’s grown to love(01:11:08) Questions about chain restaurants, surprises from the podcast, and living in Ohio(01:30:48) Final question: Are you scared of Swifties? Power up your play with Nintendo Switch 2. CONNECTInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/60songsthatexplainthe90sTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@60songsthatexplainthe90s Host: Rob HarvillaGuest: Yasi SalekProducers: Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, Justin Sayles, and Olivia Crerie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Twee aesthetics, songs about fleeting youth (sung by people who are objectively young), and lots and lots of blogs—that’s right, we’re talking about indie rock in the aughts. Today, Rob recounts how Swedish trio Peter Bjorn and John came from humble beginnings before their single “Young Folks” whistled its way to many best-of lists and became one of the era’s defining indie anthems. Later, he’s joined by ‘Such Great Heights’ author Chris DeVille to discuss the legacy of Peter Bjorn and John’s album ‘Writer’s Block’ and how it signals a shift in the commercialization of indie rock. (00:00) Intro: Is the Beach Fossils Bass Toss indie rock’s peak?(26:43) This week’s song: “Young Folks” by Peter Bjorn and John(31:50) The band’s early days in Sweden(36:43) ‘Falling Out’ and PB&J’s songs of fading youth(45:31) Indie twee and Rob’s whistling perils(52:38) “Young Folks” and highlights from ‘Writer’s Block’(01:02:55) Interview with Chris DeVille(01:27:55) Outro Host: Rob HarvillaProducers: Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, Justin Sayles, and Olivia CrerieGuest: Chris DeVille Power up your play with Nintendo Switch 2.CONNECTInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/60songsthatexplainthe90sTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@60songsthatexplainthe90s Email us at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Although this podcast has continuously shown that we cheer for the underdog, every now and then we must tip our cap to the suits and head honchos. When Evanescence’s record label insisted that Amy Lee sing alongside a rapper on their song, “Bring Me To Life,” their seemingly cringey idea only accentuated Lee’s angsty vocals and became a multigenerational anthem. Later, Rob is joined by Brittany Spanos to discuss what it meant to have such a feminine singer enter the male dominated emo rock scene. Host: Rob Harvilla Producers: Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, Justin Sayles, and Olivia Crerie Guest: Brittany Spanos Power up your play with Nintendo Switch 2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/60songsthatexplainthe90s/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@60songsthatexplainthe90s?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices