meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Decoder Ring

Jump, Jive and Fail: The ’90s Swing Craze

Decoder Ring

Slate Podcasts

Documentary, History, Society & Culture

4.62K Ratings

🗓️ 29 January 2025

⏱️ 61 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

When we got multiple listener emails asking about the swing revival of the late 1990s, host Willa Paskin’s first, knee jerk reaction was just: no. She lived through it, and remembers it as being so incredibly corny and uncool. Insofar as the swing revival persists in the cultural memory, it’s usually as a punchline or as head-scratcher, a particularly odd-seeming fad.  But then we started talking to everyone who was anyone in the swing scene, from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy to the dancers in the infamous Gap khakis commercial. It turns out the 90’s swing revival is more involved, more interesting and, OK, maybe cooler than we ever imagined. It’s about an underground scene that went above ground in a major way, and how that level of success can obscure what’s happening while it’s happening—but also long after it’s over.  This episode was written and produced by Willa Paskin, Evan Chung, and Sofie Kodner with mix help from Max Freedman. Decoder Ring is produced by Willa Paskin, Evan Chung, Max Freedman and Katie Shepherd. Derek John is Executive Producer. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director. Thank you to listeners Lorraine Denman and Alex Friendly for originally asking us about the ‘90s swing revival. In this episode, you’ll hear from Mando Dorame, Michael Moss, Scotty Morris, Tom Maxwell, Sylvia Skylar, Christian Perry, Steve Perry, John Bunkley, and Carl Byrd.   Thank you to Kerstin Emhoff, Tom Breihan, Stephanie Landwehr, and Ken Partridge, whose conversation and book Hell of a Hat: The Rise of '90s Ska and Swing was extremely helpful. If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, email us at [email protected]. Or you can also call us now at our new Decoder Ring hotline at 347-460-7281. We love to hear any and all of your ideas for the show. Want more Decoder Ring? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the Decoder Ring show page. Or, visit slate.com/decoderplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

This episode is brought to you by Sun Express Airlines.

0:04.6

Looking for an affordable escape for the whole family, Sun Express has you covered.

0:09.9

Early birth deals to Turkey start at just 5999, fly non-stop to sunny Antalya or scenic ismia.

0:17.5

Perfect for making family memories.

0:19.8

These low fares won't last long. So book now,

0:23.1

tan later at sunexpress.com and secure your seats today.

0:29.8

Just a heads up before we begin, this episode contains adult language.

0:40.3

Super Bowl 33.

0:42.4

Denver 7, Atlanta 3, 212 left in the first.

0:46.0

In 1999, the Super Bowl took place in Miami, Florida,

0:49.8

and was a face-off between the underdog Atlanta Falcons

0:52.8

and the Denver Broncos, led by their legendary

0:55.7

quarterback John Elway.

0:57.7

Elway going deep and he's got Rod Smith.

1:00.6

That Smith's gone.

1:02.1

As the teams headed into the locker rooms at the end of the second quarter, the Broncos

1:06.0

were leading the Falcons 17 to 6, and there was little doubt that Denver was on its way to victory.

1:12.6

But there is a part of this Super Bowl that remains a little mysterious, even a little confusing.

1:19.2

And it was just about to begin.

1:20.8

The National Football League and Radio City Entertainment proudly present today's

1:26.3

Progressive Auto insurance Super Bowl 33

1:28.6

halftime show.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Slate Podcasts, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Slate Podcasts and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.