60 Songs That Explain the '90s

A song played at every wedding, at every dance, and in every store, “Stacy’s Mom” has cast a great shadow over the rest of the discography of Fountains of Wayne. Today, Rob is here to shine some light on their prolific careers, commemorating the life of legends including the lead bassist and lyricist for the band, Adam Schlesinger. Fountains of Wayne are clearly a 2000s-sounding band, but their lyrics are reminiscent of bands from Rob’s youth like The Cars, giving them a timeless sound. Later, he is joined by music journalist Annie Zaleski, who shares her favorite songs from their catalog, how “Stacy’s Mom” became a novelty song, and the many different projects of Adam Schlesinger after Fountains of Wayne like ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ and the band Ivy.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Guest: Annie Zaleski

Producers: Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, Justin Sayles, and Olivia Crerie

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(00:00) Intro: Starting from the End: Rob’s favorite song from Fountains of Wayne

(19:50) This week’s song: “Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne

(21:24) New Jersey’s prevalence in rock, and the influences of Fountains of Wayne

(36:58) The best of Adam Schlesinger’s lyricism

(51:08) Fountains of Wayne’s humor

(60:58) Interview with Annie Zaleski

(77:07) Outro

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For a brief moment in 2000, At the Drive-In were the best live band in the world—then they broke up. This week, Rob tracks how the El Paso post-hardcore outfit burned so bright so quickly with their complex, politically-charged tunes that made for some of the wildest shows in rock. The band then suddenly flamed out after it became clear that their intensity wasn’t sustainable when they struggled to contain an unruly, “sheep”-like crowd at Big Day Out. Later, Rob is joined by journalist Suzy Exposito to discuss the herculean task of covering “One-Armed Scissor” and the politics of the pit.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Guest: Suzy Exposito

Producers: Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, Justin Sayles, and Olivia Crerie

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(00:00) Intro: “Ice cream-eating motherf–kers,” Big Day Out 2001, and how to wrangle a mosh pit

(31:09) This week’s song: “One-Armed Scissor” by At the Drive-In

(32:17) ATDI’s formation amid tragedy

(38:11) The band’s ferocious, dense lyricism

(57:45) “One-Armed Scissor,” as performed on various late-night shows

(66:42) Interview with Suzy Exposito

(94:58) Outro

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Pack up your winter gear—we’re headed to the Wisconsin woods. This week, Rob retreats into Justin Vernon’s cabin to remember the buzzy indie album ‘For Emma, Forever Ago,’ which launched the career of the eventual Grammy-winning band Bon Iver. He looks back on how critics and audiences were enamored with the narrative that Vernon wrote the album while heartbroken and alone in the woods, and the way his voice conveyed those feelings. Later, Rob’s joined by The New York Times’ Jon Caramanica to discuss if “Skinny Love” possibly led to “stomp-clap” music and what collaborators like Kanye West and Taylor Swift heard in Bon Iver.

(00:00) Intro: Neko Case’s voice as a force of nature

(30:19) This week’s song: “Skinny Love” by Bon Iver

(32:36) Justin Vernon’s (many) early bands

(48:29) Bon Iver’s abstract lyrics

(55:05) “Skinny Love” and the narrative of ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’

(01:04:57) Interview with Jon Caramanica

(01:33:25) Outro

Host: Rob Harvilla

Guest: Jon Caramanica

Producers: Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, Justin Sayles, and Olivia Crerie

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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

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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

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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?

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Host: Rob Harvilla
Guest: Yasi Salek
Producers: Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, Justin Sayles, and Olivia Crerie

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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 Harvilla
Producers: Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, Justin Sayles, and Olivia Crerie
Guest: Chris DeVille

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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

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This week’s episode is all about comfort. It’s about being remembered and what better person to commemorate that feeling with than the person whose music doesn’t seem to age- Sade. Sade came out with “By Your Side” after disappearing with no explanation for 8 years because she felt that was best for her. That quiet confidence lends itself to making some of the, in Rob’s words, horniest music imaginable, and the world is better for it. Finally, he is joined by Danyel Smith who explains how Sade laid the groundwork for artists like Rihanna to be the ultimate cool girl and how younger generations are still discovering Sade.

(00:00) Intro: Let’s remember some guys

(28:19) This week’s song: “By Your Side” by Sade

(31:46) Pride, “Smooth Operator,” and ‘Diamond Life’

(42:50) The legacy of Quiet Storm

(49:25) Sade’s public silences and ever-growing myth

(58:01) “By Your Side” and Sade’s comforting presence

(01:07:19) Interview with Danyel Smith

(01:42:50) Outro

Host: Rob Harvilla

Producers: Olivia Crerie, Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, and Justin Sayles

Guest: Danyel Smith

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Today, Rob explains how even after five successful studio albums, Spoon still felt vengeful enough to write the most triumphant song about being the underdog. He reflects on how Spoon's major label dropped the Austin rockers and became the opposite of a muse for the band, shaping their swaggery image. Finally, he is joined by music critic Ryan Dombal who greatly appreciates the snobbery of Spoon and the rockstar frontman energy of Britt Daniels.

(00:00) Intro: The three phases of major-label rock stardom

(21:23) This week’s song: “The Underdog” by Spoon

(25:39) Britt Daniel’s origins and ‘Telefono’

(34:56) How Spoon got dropped from Elektra Records

(40:48) Spoon’s evolution as the 21st century's most consistent band

(56:44) “The Underdog,” the ultimate mouth-horn song

(01:02:28) Interview with Ryan Dombal

(01:33:02) Outro

Host: Rob Harvilla

Producers: Olivia Crerie, Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, and Justin Sayles

Guest: Ryan Dombal

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We should have known that, despite the irony, the kid from New Jersey who defended the purchasing of serial killer comics would grow up to become the defender of the broken, beaten, and damned. Today, Rob recollects the discovery of his emo phase with the enduring anthem “Welcome to the Black Parade,” by My Chemical Romance. He recounts the rise of the young band in a post-9/11 New Jersey and the pinnacle of their success with the grandiose showmanship of the 'Black Parade' album. At the end, he is joined by former My Chemical Romance producer and mentor Geoff Rickly, lead singer of the band Thursday, who knew early on that the band would be a global phenomenon.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Producers: Olivia Crerie, Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, and Justin Sayles

Guest: Geoff Rickly

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We’re going back to our roots this week—back to our Toyota Corollas and Chrysler LeBarons or whatever other shitty cars we drove back in the ’90s—to blast some Bush. Rob ponders whether frontman Gavin Rossdale is a good lyricist and extends some empathy in the age of Nirvana, when no alt-rock band could compare, especially those singing about their “willies.” Finally, Rob is joined by national treasure and Rob’s daughter Yasi Salek, who comes to defend the lyricism of cheekbone himbo Gavin Rossdale.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Producers: Julianna Ress, Olivia Crerie, Chris Sutton, and Justin Sayles

Additional Video Editing: Kevin Pooler

Guest: Yasi Salek

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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 Latin American artists were also starting to make music in English. Later, he is joined by music journalist Suzy Exposito, who talks about why Shakira deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, her initial disappointment when Shakira dyed her hair blonde and started singing in English, and what it was like getting to interview her.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Producers: Julianna Ress, Olivia Crerie, Chris Sutton, and Justin Sayles

Additional Video Editing: Kevin Pooler

Guest: Suzy Exposito

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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 song, “1234,” coming later in her colorful and previously raucous music career. Rob breaks down Feist’s magical ability to bring new perspectives to covers and sing emotion into numbers before he is joined by Canadian filmmaker Chandler Levack. They discuss the role Feist’s music played in soundtracking Chandler’s college years and how this affected her most recent film, Mile End Kicks, which follows a young music journalist becoming increasingly more involved in the music scene she’s documenting.

Listen to the songs from the episode:'00s #44 Feist "1234"

Host: Rob Harvilla

Producers: Olivia Crerie, Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, and Justin Sayles

Additional Video Editing: Kevin Pooler

Guest: Chandler Levack

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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” music he discovered in the Bay Area, all of which led him to the harp virtuoso and wordsmith Joanna Newsom. He tries his best not to describe her unique singing voice while dissecting her ability to bend words and seamlessly expand her listener’s vocabulary. Finally, he is joined by music journalist and ex-h*pst*r Garrett Kamps, who recounts what it was like watching one of Joanna Newsom’s first shows and contemplates why fans may have felt protective over her.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Producers: Olivia Crerie, Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, and Justin Sayles

Additional Video Editing: Kevin Pooler

Guest: Garrett Kamps

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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 Rivalry.’ He explains how his focus on the ferocity of Wolf Parade’s music distracted him from the meaning of the lyrics and how they surprised him years later during the song's resurgence. Later, he is joined by Canadian Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about the differences in the Montreal and Toronto rock scenes, remind Rob of forgotten Canadian bands, and explain what a “reheat” is.

Listen to the songs from the episode: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3jGtG2AAHCdpazCzuSlHrP?si=c5055ad6583f45e6&pt=21d76d95c5a8429ca2ed00ab7a01c09a

Host: Rob Harvilla

Producers: Olivia Crerie, Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, and Justin Sayles

Additional Video Editing: Kevin Pooler

Guest: Elamin Abdelmahmoud

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Keep those negative thoughts to yourself! They are a parasite to those around you, and who knows that better than Thom Yorke? This week, Rob proves that Radiohead has the ability to sully the minds of even the most innocent by discussing “All I Need,” from their 2007 album, 'In Rainbows.' He breaks down the initial reaction to the pay-what-you-can release of 'In Rainbows’ and discusses why the album resonates with a new generation of Radiohead fans. Finally, he is joined by 'In Rainbows' expert Cole Cuchna from Dissect to break down the various lyrical interpretations of “All I Need” and the timeless quality of the album’s sonics.

Listen to Rob’s ’90s Radiohead episode:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7EHs9EMkYVbLrhl4KkzzSn?si=c4a63a2fee6e4a94

Listen to Dissect’s 'In Rainbows' breakdown:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3r7UlNtqVjeVEVUsOQoEsu?si=1bb40847b7e1472d

Host: Rob Harvilla

Producers: Olivia Crerie, Julianna Ress, and Justin Sayles

Additional Video Editing: Kevin Pooler and Chris Sutton

Guest: Cole Cuchna

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This week, Rob takes a trip down memory lane, a.k.a. 2000s Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Now that we are in the dark ages of social media and virality, there is a set-in-stone Mount Rushmore of late-night TV band performances, including the high-energy TV On The Radio debut of “Wolf Like Me.” Rob discusses how TV On The Radio was affected by post-9/11 New York, giving us the iconic opening album line, “I was a lover before this war.” Later, he is joined by musician and top-10 TV On The Radio fan Bartees Strange to discuss covering a monolith of a song like “Wolf Like Me” and how TV On The Radio paved the road for artists like Bartees.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Producers: Justin Sayles and Olivia Crerie

Additional Video Editing: Kevin Pooler, Julianna Ress, and Chris Sutton

Guest: Bartees Strange

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This week, Rob makes a solid argument that the coolest thing a person can do is watch cartoons and play pretend. He breaks down the many personas of Daniel Dumile, starting with Zev Love X and ending with his villain persona Madvillain. He argues that his best work was done with fellow children’s show lover Madlib before he is joined by rapper and podcaster Open Mike Eagle to talk about getting to collaborate with your favorite rapper and the appeal of concealing one’s identity as an artist.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Producers: Justin Sayles and Olivia Crerie

Additional Video Editing: Kevin Pooler, Julianna Ress, and Chris Sutton

Guest: Open Mike Eagle

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You’ve heard the song a million times, and you can sing along with the crowd when it comes on. But come trivia, would you be able to name the artist and song title? Today, Rob is going to drill every jock jam into your head, leading up to the iconic opening eight bars of “Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes. He breaks down the unusual nature of Meg and Jack White’s relationship and the perfect minimalism of Meg White’s drum style paired with Jack White’s unpredictable maximalist guitar. He tries to make sense of how, of all their songs, “Seven Nation Army” has reached the pinnacle of fame. Later, he is joined by author Chuck Klosterman, who shares his experience interviewing the White Stripes, discusses the small list of songs that are more iconic than their creators, and ruminates on whether Jack White could ever form a two-person band again.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Producers: Justin Sayles and Olivia Crerie

Additional Production Support: Kevin Pooler and Chris Sutton

Guest: Chuck Klosterman

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