60 Songs That Explain the '90s

De: Rob Harvilla

Narrado por: Rob Harvilla

A companion to the #1 music podcast on Spotify, this book takes readers through the greatest hits that define a weirdly undefinable decade.

The 1990s were a chaotic and gritty and utterly magical time for music, a confounding barrage of genres and lifestyles and superstars, from grunge to hip-hop, from sumptuous R&B to rambunctious ska-punk, from Axl to Kurt to Missy to Santana to Tupac to Britney. In 60 SONGS THAT EXPLAIN THE '90s, Ringer music critic Rob Harvilla reimagines all the earwormy, iconic hits Gen Xers pine for with vivid historical storytelling, sharp critical analysis, rampant loopiness, and wryly personal ruminations on the most bizarre, joyous, and inescapable songs from a decade we both regret entirely and miss desperately.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Somehow, Rob Harvilla brings new light to the songs and artists that we grew up with and thought we already fully understood. Turns out, there’s so much more depth, nuance, tragedy, and humor to be discovered. This book made me tear up about party anthems, marvel at discarded one-hit wonders, and laugh out loud at deadly-serious ballads. This is more than a tribute to the music that scored our childhoods; it’s an exploration of how the songs somehow mean even more to us now. (Also: Rob’s mom is right about U2).”—Elie Honig, CNN Senior Legal Analyst and bestselling author

“I love the 90s. I grew up in the 90s. I’m protective of the 90s. And the right person has stepped forward to lead us back into the 90s! This book is awesome. Robs podcast, and now his book, is my new best 90s companion. A+ all the way. Must read. “—Bobby Bones, host of The Bobby Bones Show

"Rob Harvilla understands how channel-surfing products of the 90s want their info. Quick, punchy, fun, moving on to the next thing before they even have time to think ab—. This book covers an entire decade of pop culture through a lightning-fast journey of deeply researched histories, funny personal asides, and often forgotten juicy gossip. You’d never expect a chapter that opens on Salt-N-Pepa to end on blink-182 (while touching on Bonnie Raitt, Nine Inch Nails, and Liz Phair along the way), but somehow, it does."—Dan Ozzi, author of SELLOUT: The Major-Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore (1994-2007)

"Gratitude for this book, which doesn't only allow a reader to sink into a kind of empty nostalgia, but adds a real generous weight and context to songs, and the world they existed in. I found myself building playlists while I read. This is an interactive, immersive delight."—Hanif Abdurraqib, author of A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance

“Thankfully, Rob doesn’t aim for some grand unified theory of 90s music. Instead, his chapters blend history, personal experience, and cultural criticism into funny, insightful riffs. What a sellout.”—Rider Strong, actor, writer, and director

"Rob Harvilla is my kind of writer: Smart, funny, infectiously joyous, and full of heart. Let me emphasize the 'writer' part — if you only know Rob from his delightful podcast, you are about to learn that his mix of critical analysis, cultural journalism and self-effacing Midwestern dad humor is just as entertaining on the page as it is on 60 SONGS THAT EXPLAIN THE '90s. This book is like that friend from high school that you don't see much anymore, but when you do hang out it instantly feels like old times."—Steven Hyden, author of Twilight Of The Gods

True nostalgia at its finest

As a fan of the podcast, I absolutely loved this book that took me right back to high school car rides and college parties. Rob Harvilla can gracefully weave in so many songs and artists with such ease. It was so good that I was actually sad when it ended, kind of like the end of the 90s. Thank you for taking me down memory lane.

Sheer Entertainment

Even if you care not for the 90s or it’s music, Rob Harvilla entertains with his colorful analogies, gleeful tangents, and earnest admiration of the music he has been dedicated in covering here, and in podcast form. Truly a delightful listen with laugh out loud moments and exciting song discoveries.

Rob is a tremendous storyteller

Cannot imagine getting anything but the audiobook. Perfectly read and a worthy retelling of my adolescence.

Great Podcast and Book

Love the podcast, and the book was also so good. I do miss hearing the song clips, but it doesn’t hurt the experience, and my they played along in my head anyway. I wish the podcast wasn’t ending. Perhaps we’ll get a sequel to the book someday.

Expanded Version of the Podcast

This book is an expanded, long format version of the podcast. As a long time listener of 60 Songs, I was afraid much of the material would be repeated but instead found new insights and fresh stories. If you love the podcast, this book is for you!

Rad listen for all us 90s kids

This dude takes us back to a time when music was everything and rock gods still ruled the earth. Great writing, stories and takes. Dig how Rob weaves in and out of the tunes, albums and artists like it’s all one connected energy force taking control over each of us little pukes as we try to figure out how to do this life thing. Crazy the amount of absolute amazing music from this decade and its influence on me as a person. I’ll be on a 90 playlist for a few.

So good. Just so good

Rob - if you’re reading this, please write another book. And narrate it. Write about anything you’re passionate about. Don’t care if I no literally nothing about it - I will read it. This was that good

Super fun!

If you enjoy the podcast, you’ll love the book. This is tighter than the podcast, will make a great playlist, and appreciated through and through.

Nostalgia

Fabulous companion to the podcast, though not necessary to listen to both for full enjoyment. If you loved the music of the 90s, this is a fun listen with endearing stories.

Loved it!

Was so happy Rob released this after burning through the podcast. Thoroughly enjoyed the book. He truly loves the music and his passion for it makes the book so fun to listen to.