logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2023
1h 27m

“One”—U2

The Ringer
About this episode

Rob ranks the top five funniest moments in the film ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ to kick things off for this very special U2 edition of '60 Songs.' Later, Rob focuses in on what Bono and U2 meant to music in the ’90s versus their ’80s impact. Writer Annie Zaleski later joins Rob to dive into all things U2.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Guest: Annie Zaleski

Producers: Jonathan Kermah and Justin Sayles

Additional Production Support: Chloe Clark

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Yesterday
“Can’t Stop”—The Red Hot Chili Peppers
Rob initiates this week’s show by waxing poetic on the mortality of his musical idols and the treasure trove of emotional tribute songs that proliferated after the tragic passing of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. His insightful homage leads perfectly into a loving soliloquy on the ... Show More
1h 32m
Jun 25
“Since U Been Gone”— Kelly Clarkson
Rob contemplates the art of making an ironic cover song sincere as he enters the dark realm of the 2000s hit TV show, ‘American Idol’. He follows the inevitable success of Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson, who proves with her impossible-to-sing hit song, “Since U Been Gone,” that s ... Show More
1h 37m
Jun 18
“How to Save a Life”—The Fray
This week, Rob examines the hallowed art of employing songs within the soundtrack of a crucial TV scene to emotionally manipulate the viewing audience. Along the way, he evokes classic moments from ‘General Hospital’ , 'ER', and ‘Scrubs’ before ultimately expounding on the highly ... Show More
1h 27m
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2020
The Best Songs of 2020
From the Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" to Lady Gaga's "Stupid Love," we look back at the year in songs, with Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield joining host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 
48m 52s
Apr 2024
'Don't Forget Me' | Every Single Album: Maggie Rogers
Nora and Nathan are here to break down the third album from Maggie Rogers, 'Don't Forget Me.' They talk about how the fact that the album was written over the course of five days impacted its sound (1:00), how she's moved away from the electronic sounds of 'Heard It In A Past Lif ... Show More
1h 22m
May 2024
'Hit Me Hard and Soft' | Every Single Album: Billie Eilish
Nora and Nathan talk about the third studio album from Billie Eilish: 'Hit Me Hard and Soft.' They discuss how Eilish is displaying new vocal ranges in songs like 'The Greatest' and 'Birds of a Feather' (17:32), her continued collaboration with her brother Finneas and whether or ... Show More
1h 23m
Jun 2024
'The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess' | Every Single Album: Chappell Roan
Nora talks about her experience at the Eras Tour in Edinburgh, Scotland (1:00). Then, Nora and Nathan talk about the meteoric rise of Chappell Roan and her 2023 album 'The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.' They discuss how her career took off this summer after opening for Oli ... Show More
1h 30m
Mar 2024
It's Pop Girl Spring! | Every Single Album
With everyone from Beyoncé to Taylor Swift to Dua Lipa releasing albums this spring, Nora and Nathan are coming together to discuss them all. They talk about why we may be seeing this flux in album releases (1:00), what Taylor's been up to ahead of the release of 'The Tortured Po ... Show More
50m 22s
May 2023
The Life and Music of Tina Turner, the Queen of Rock & Roll
With Tina Turner's death at the age of 83, we look back on her oft-difficult life, career triumphs, and world-shaking music. Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield join host Brian Hiatt for the discussion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 
40m 34s
Jun 2024
The So-Called Vinyl Wars and Other Pop Music News and Notes
Nora and Nathan cover a grab bag of pop music news, including Sabrina Carpenter's announcement that her next album, 'Short n' Sweet,' is coming in August (1:00), whether or not Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish are feuding over releasing vinyl variants (15:21), and what surprise son ... Show More
1h 2m
May 2024
'Eternal Sunshine' | Every Single Album: Ariana Grande
At long last, Nora and Nathan cover Ariana Grande's 'Eternal Sunshine,' her seventh studio album. They talk about how this album seems to be lacking the viral hits that 'Sweetener' and 'Thank U, Next' had (1:00), whether this is a divorce album or if it's actually about Grande's ... Show More
1h 37m
Jun 2024
Brat | Every Single Album: Charli XCX
Nora and Nathan kick off their "brat summer" by talking about Charli XCX's sixth studio album. They talk about how this album differs from her past, more mainstream pop albums (1:00), the inner monologue that is running through many of the songs on this record (31:49), and the na ... Show More
1h 28m
Jun 2024
'The Secret of Us' | Every Single Album: Gracie Abrams
Nora and Nathan discuss the second studio album from Gracie Abrams: 'The Secret of Us.' They then talk about Taylor Swift's influence on and close relationship with Abrams, as well as whether that's helping or hurting Abrams's music (1:00). Later, they get into how her songs feel ... Show More
1h 10m