Want to feel old? The early 2000s are now as far away as the 1980s were at the turn of the century. When Francis Fukuyama told us that we’d reached the end of history, he hadn’t taken into account that youngsters would start calling Blink 182 “dad rock.” But here we are.
If you’re feeling nostalgic, we’ve rounded up a collection of the best music history podcasts that will indulge your sentimentality. These shows cover most mainstream genres, like rock and pop music, and range in format from wide surveys to focused studies of an artist’s oeuvre.
Music podcasts continue to push the boundaries of the medium. We can’t help but relate to music on a deeper level, even when attempting to take a documentary approach. But rather than cloud the podcast genre with rambling episodes and directionless formats, people’s passion for music history has led to many ambitious and memorable projects. Here are some of our favorites.
60 Songs That Explain the ’90s
There’s nothing The Ringer does better than create fan communities around its shows. 60 Songs That Explain the ’90s is no exception. Each episode dives into a classic song from this influential decade, asking where a sound came from and where it took us next.
Hosted by Rob Harvilla, the show contends that the 1990s was a watershed decade in the history of music. With the internet’s current penchant for nostalgia, 60 Songs captures the contemporary zeitgeist uniting Millennials and Gen Z through their love for Paramore and Britney Spears. No wonder the series returned after its initial run for sixty more songs.
For the complete ‘90s experience, listen to Break Stuff: The Story of Woodstock ‘99 as a companion piece. The limited series amplifies Harvilla’s thesis that the 90s were a period of significant musical influence, both a synergy of emerging musical genres and a conflict between raw emotion and Big Label control.
For fans of: Singing Daft Punk in your car to avoid responsibilities
Paul McCartney’s musical legacy extends far beyond The Beatles. In McCartney: A Life in Lyrics, the musician sits down with poet Paul Muldoon to discuss his memories of writing his most famous songs. Over twenty-four episodes, McCartney traces his inspiration to moments in childhood, his time in that band, and what came after their famous breakup.
Muldoon asks gentle questions; you won’t hear any fresh gossip about The Beatles on this podcast. But while the series doesn’t yield new information for seasoned fans, McCartney: A Life in Lyrics will give admirers a curated insight into the mind of one of our era’s best songwriters. We challenge you not to sing along.
For fans of: Making your kids watch Yellow Submarine instead of Ironman 2
Original ideas can be hard to come by, especially in podcasting. So, how’s this for a hook: a music podcast about true crime. Be assured: Disgraceland is no gimmick. This long-running podcast has an extensive archive and numerous awards to prove its bona fides, not to mention an episode list with titles too good not to be clickbait. Dear listener, they’re not. Host Jake Brennan is sincere when he promises the most unbelievable stories about our favorite artists. Jennifer Hudson and a triple homicide. Taylor Swift’s stalkers. Ringo Starr and the Mexican Federales. You’ve got to hear these stories to believe them.
Brennan’s scripts are tightly composed, his delivery laugh-out-loud funny. Is he the Raymond Chandler of podcasting? We can’t see a better contender. Accompanied by pacy background music and top-notch editing, this show sounds best coming through your favorite pair of headphones. Irresistible rhythm and engaging storytelling make it one of the hidden gems of podcasting.
For fans of: “Asking questions” about John Lennon’s death
Hip-hop might be ubiquitous in mainstream culture, but even for die-hard fans, the tales that become legends often center on the same rivalries: Tupac and Biggie and now Drake and Kendrick. You get the idea. On Louder Than a Riot, the unsung stories of hip-hop finally get their moment.
Louder Than a Riot is a music history podcast from NPR that’s stylish, fun, and mission-driven. It looks at instances of marginalization within the genre, with particular focus on the fraught experiences of Black women as they navigate an industry hell-bent on reducing them. Hosts Sidney Madden and Rodney Carmichael weave celebration into every episode, ensuring that the negative moments never overshadow the achievements of their subjects. From Rico Nasty’s battle against toxic fans to Megan Thee Stallion’s assault case, this is a podcast with social justice at its heart.
For fans of: Singing WAP for karaoke
The music industry might be filled with pomp and glitter, but Ongoing History of New Music charts its progress with clarity, simplicity, and great editing. Host Alan Cross covers all genres in his open-ended study of an industry that ranges from the birth of hip-hop to movie-themed songs.
Cross makes connections that most would typically overlook, yet these topics prove to be unexpectedly relevant, such as his two-part episode on the politics of music streaming. If you’re a fan of podcasts like Philosophize This!, this show may become a staple of your feed. The best part? The archive has over four hundred episodes.
For fans of: Having opinions about vinyl
Few music icons evoke the sort of universal affection Dolly Parton commands. Country fan or not, Parton has become a mainstream symbol of grace, authenticity and humor unlikely to be matched in our lifetime. Dolly Parton’s America is a seven-episode podcast about Parton’s unique brand of Americana that is still lauded as one of the best in the music genre.
The show’s success, which has been replicated but never matched, lies in its overthinking. Not many of us, other than the diehard Dolly fans, thought much about the country singer’s long and colorful career. Few personalities can convincingly warrant an entire podcast about their life – but Parton’s music, personal life, and politics make for fascinating listening. Written and hosted by Radiolab’s Jad Abumrad, the show tells its story with masterful empathy and nuance. Coupled with an iconic soundtrack, there is little to fault in this ten-episode series.
With the flair of a new journalist, Abumrad weaves his personal experiences into his telling of Parton’s life, demonstrating how the parasocial relationships we develop with our musical idols can have a positive influence. If you’ve already binged Dolly Parton’s America and are hungry for similar shows, give Anything For Selena and Cocaine & Rhinestones a listen.
For fans of: A modern take on Americana
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Describing A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs as a podcast feels reductive. It’s more like a historical archive, charting the course of a beloved genre through the work that best exemplifies its diversity. Andrew Hickey’s ambitious project, which aims to cover songs from 1938 through 1999, has already amassed hundreds of loyal fans.
If you’re worried about being late to the party, there’s still plenty of time before Hickey reaches his goal. The usual suspects are on the bill: Bob Dylan, The Velvet Underground, Elvis Presley. Many of the best episodes are about more obscure artists. This might be the first time a younger listener has heard of Wanda Jackson or Fats Domino; you could argue that this fact puts 500 Songs in the same category as Ken Burns’s exemplary Country Music documentary as a resource for those new to a genre. We highly recommend starting at the beginning and listening in chronological order. Catch you in 1999.
For fans of: Blue suede and nostalgia
From the BBC, The Rise and Fall Of… began as a podcast all about the history of Britpop. Hosted by Jo Whiley and Steve Lamacq, their most recent season, about the British rock band Oasis, is everything you could want from a music history podcast.
The show’s most obvious asset is Whiley and Lamacq’s experience; they were both working in the industry during the rise of this iconic band. As veteran music journalists, they bring their anecdotes and opinions to what is already a well-researched and expertly produced radio documentary. It leaves little room for criticism. Even if you’re not a fan of Oasis, their story represents a unique period in British music. Give this music history gem a try.
For fans of: The golden days of NME and Rolling Stone
No Dogs in Space regularly tops the list of the best music history podcasts. Here’s the case for why that could be true. The show is hosted by Marcus Parks and Carolina Hidalgo of the Last Podcast Network. Every season covers a different musical genre; so far, they’ve dissected Punk, Alternative, and Experimental Rock/Pop. Each episode is meticulously researched, revealing the meaning behind obscure lyrics and musical lore.
This is a music podcast that’s made for fans. Parks and Hidalgo strike the ideal balance between irreverence, analysis, and enthusiasm for both the music and each other. No Dogs in Space is the sort of show that acts as a companion to people who are already invested in these genres; if you enjoy feeling like the most knowledgeable person at the vinyl shop, add this podcast to your rotation.
For fans of: Waiting weeks between episodes
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Alice Florence Orr is a staff writer and assistant editor for Podcast Review. She is based in Edinburgh. You can connect with her on Twitter or read her work on aliceflorenceorr.com