60 Songs That Explain the '90s

The Ringer

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.

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Top 10 60 Songs That Explain the '90s Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best 60 Songs That Explain the '90s episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to 60 Songs That Explain the '90s for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite 60 Songs That Explain the '90s episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

“Return of the Mack”—Mark Morrison

60 Songs That Explain the '90s

11/16/22 • 82 min

Rob reminisces on his first days working in a newsroom and watching ‘ThunderCats’ outtakes, all while riding on the sleek R&B roads of memory lane when looking back at Mark Morrison’s big hit “Return of the Mack,” along with other hip-hop-influenced '90s R&B songs.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Guest: Justin Charity

Producer: Justin Sayles

Associate Producer: Jonathan Kermah

Additional Productional Support: Kai Grady

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4 Listeners

1 Comment

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”—Nirvana with Courtney Love

60 Songs That Explain the '90s

05/17/23 • 163 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.” (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

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4 Listeners

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“Mr. Brightside”—The Killers

60 Songs That Explain the '90s

10/02/24 • 88 min

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 decade, same Rob. What are you waiting for?

Later, Rob is joined by The Ringer’s Chris Ryan to discuss more about the magic of “Mr. Brightside.”

Host: Rob Harvilla

Guest: Chris Ryan

Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles

Additional Production Support: Olivia Crerie

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4 Listeners

1 Comment

“In da Club”—50 Cent

60 Songs That Explain the '90s

10/16/24 • 96 min

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 joined by The Ringer’s Charles Holmes to discuss 50 Cent’s history of rap beefs and more!

Host: Rob Harvilla

Guest: Charles Holmes

Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles

Additional Production Support: Olivia Crerie

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3 Listeners

“Hurt”—Johnny Cash

60 Songs That Explain the '90s

12/11/24 • 105 min

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 the Ringer’s Brian Phillips to further celebrate Johnny Cash’s greatness.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Guest: Brian Phillips

Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles

Additional Production Support: Olivia Crerie

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3 Listeners

“Kids”—MGMT

60 Songs That Explain the '90s

11/13/24 • 92 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 into, before he ultimately unpacks the pop sensation qualities of its megahit “Kids.” Later, music writer Larry Fitzmaurice joins to parse the indie pop scene, share what it was like to cover MGMT during its ascension, and weigh in on the legacy that the band's music and particular aesthetic have today.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Guest: Larry Fitzmaurice

Producers: Jonathan Kermah, Justin Sayles, and Bobby Wagner

Additional Production Support: Olivia Crerie

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3 Listeners

“The Middle”—Jimmy Eat World

60 Songs That Explain the '90s

11/06/24 • 93 min

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 t-shirt cannon. Later, Rob is joined by ‘The Watch’ host Andy Greenwald to discuss his days of interviewing Jimmy Eat World, and more.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Guest: Andy Greenwald

Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles

Additional Production Support: Olivia Crerie

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3 Listeners

1 Comment

“Feel Good Inc.”—Gorillaz

60 Songs That Explain the '90s

04/30/25 • 92 min

Rob is back from hiatus with a loaded episode! Join him as he straddles the line between real life and virtual reality when discussing the virtual band Gorillaz and the career of its creator, Damon Albarn. Later, Rob is joined by Jeremy Gordon, the author of 'See Friendship' and senior editor at The Atlantic, to get to the bottom of how Gorillaz became so popular (1:07:00).

Host: Rob Harvilla

Guest: Jeremy Gordon

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Jonathan Kermah, and Justin Sayles

Additional Production Support: Olivia Crerie

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3 Listeners

“Back to Black”—Amy Winehouse

60 Songs That Explain the '90s

10/09/24 • 84 min

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 album ‘Back to Black.’ Later, Rob is joined by writer Julianne Escobedo Shepherd to discuss her memories of interviewing Amy Winehouse and more.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Guest: Julianne Escobedo Shepherd

Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles

Additional Production Support: Olivia Crerie

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3 Listeners

“Maps”—Yeah Yeah Yeahs

60 Songs That Explain the '90s

05/07/25 • 89 min

Rob heads back to Brooklyn to explore the 2003 indie-rock staple “Maps” and the history of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Later, he is joined by Niko Stratis to further explore the indie jam’s success.

Host: Rob Harvilla
Guest: Niko Stratis
Producers: Bobby Wagner, Jonathan Kermah, and Justin Sayles

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3 Listeners

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