logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2018
48m 41s

Why is 90s Pop so Bizarre?

Vulture
About this episode
The Switched on Pop Summer Throwback Series continues! This time, with a deep dive into the musical detritus of the 1990s. In true 90s fashion, our episode is inspired by a pair of classic VH1 shows; "Behind the Music" and "Where Are They Now?" Our subjects are two songs representing the lunatic fringe of 90s culture, "Cotton Eyed Joe" and "How Bizarre." In ... Show More
Up next
Yesterday
The power of singing together (ft. Tiny Habits)
Throughout pop history, groups from The Ink Spots to the Beach Boys to Fleetwood Mac all forged their sound in the alchemy of vocal harmonies, harnessing the magic that happens when different voices join as one. Then suddenly, right around the 1980s, vocal harmonies started to wa ... Show More
40m 33s
Sep 1
Questionably Country
For the first time in history, five country songs were at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Ella Langley, Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift and Stella Lefty all have songs that range from two-stepping hits to borderline Americana: what do these songs say about the state of country musi ... Show More
34m 57s
Aug 25
Phoebe Bridgers opens her Moleskine
Many of us keep a journal, but few of us are able to turn our unvarnished thoughts into cultural moments touching on love, death, and guitars quite like Phoebe Bridgers. Her new album Lost Weekend isn’t just throwing the pages of her personal life into song, it’s much more than t ... Show More
36m 27s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2021
The ’90s Summer Jams No One Should Ever Get Over
Every summer comes with a soundtrack, usually made up of the latest and greatest pop songs that keep us blowing out our speakers from the car to the beach all season long. But there's something about the summer jams of the '90s that will always hold a special place in hearts. On ... Show More
47m 36s
Jul 2016
When Great Artists Make Terrible Songs
You can blame bad Eighties production or a certain white powder, but even the giants of rock and pop sometimes hit a bad note; we delve into the most ridiculously entertaining examples, from musical heroes like Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan and more. Plus: new music from Wilco and the P ... Show More
34m 36s
Oct 2020
100 gecs and the Mystery of Hyperpop
What is hyperpop? A movement? A meaningless label? A Spotify playlist? Whatever the answer, it surely has something to do with 100 gecs, the duo of Laura Les and Dylan Brady, whose songs sometimes sound like the last three decades of popular music happening all at once. On this e ... Show More
39m 57s
Jul 2025
Justin Bieber’s Experimental ‘Swag’ Resurgence
Discussing the era-defining pop singer’s most idiosyncratic and musically adventurous release to date. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio ... Show More
48m 31s
Oct 2020
16: My 90s Playlist
The 90s are back in so many ways, but our favorite tracks never left. My 90s Playlist breaks down why we love the hits of the 90s so much, what made our favorite songs so popular back then, and why we are so nostalgic for them now. Throughout the season, our hosts Tracy Clayton a ... Show More
6m 46s
Feb 2023
100: "Smells Like Teen Spirit" vs. "Closer"
<p>OUR ONE HUNDREDTH NUMBERED EPISODE!! How have we gotten this far? We don't know, but we're going to celebrate it with a jumbo-sized podcast about two songs that are near and dear to our hearts, the alternative teen angst songs that changed the lives of so many '90s kids, espec ... Show More
1h 40m
Sep 2019
The 90s: Best Decade Ever!
Discussing music, movies, TV, and some cartoons of the 90’s. 
50m 55s
Jul 2022
'We Built This City' by Starship
This song was slandered as “The Worst Song of the 80s”. Why?? It rocks! But as Andrew and Evan get way way into, it also sucks in unique and exciting and dumb ways. An absolutely devastating ep, with crucial insights into: what is hoopla; pre-boomer boomer attitudes, why you alwa ... Show More
1h 1m