Decoder Ring

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

Jan 29, 2025

Explore the vibrant world of the '90s swing revival, from its surprising rise to its quick fall. Discover the underground scene that burst into the mainstream, complete with stunning performances like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at the Super Bowl. Delve into the personal journeys of musicians and dancers, and the cultural impact of swing music on fashion and identity. Hear tales of nostalgia and commercialization that shaped this unforgettable era, revealing a movement that was more complex and cool than it often gets credit for.

01:06:01

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Quick takeaways

The 1990s swing revival emerged from an underground scene, blending vintage music and punk rock energy to attract diverse audiences.

Mainstream popularity surged through events like the Super Bowl halftime show and cultural phenomena such as the film 'Swingers,' showcasing swing's broad appeal.

While commercialization led to a decline in authenticity and a perception of cheesiness, the swing revival's legacy endures in contemporary cultural celebrations.

Deep dives

Emergence of the Swing Revival

The swing revival began in the late 1980s, driven by a growing underground scene that embraced vintage music, fashion, and culture. Musicians like Mondo Dorame, influenced by their childhood experiences and old music styles, sought to introduce swing to their peers, creating groups such as Royal Crown Review. These bands offered a fresh sound by blending traditional swing music with punk rock energy and personal narratives, appealing to a diverse audience looking for something different. This resurgence quickly gained momentum as it caught the attention of mainstream audiences and music tastemakers.

Intro

2min

The Rise and Fall of the ’90s Swing Revival

6min

The Swing Revival Journey

13min

The Global Rise of Swing: A Cultural Zeitgeist

3min

Swing Revival: A Cultural Renaissance

14min

The Rise of the Atomic Fireballs and Their Blues-Inspired Swing

2min

Swing Revival: Between Culture and Commercialization

10min

The Rise and Fall of '90s Swing

12min

Reviving the Swing: Nostalgia and Cultural Impact

5min

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 DecoderRing@slate.com. 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.

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Decoder Ring

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

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Emergence of the Swing Revival

Mainstream Breakthrough

Cultural Impact and Complications

Decline of the Swing Era

Legacy of the Swing Revival

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts