Rewind and React

This week on Rewind & React, Adam and Rob head back to 1993 to revisit one of the most recognizable dance hits of the decade. But while almost everyone knows the song, its surprisingly spooky music video might be a different story.

Instead of a nightclub full of dancers, “What Is Love” takes us into a mysterious mansion filled with seductive vampires, strange transformations, dramatic dancing, and some very questionable special effects. It's an unexpected direction for a Eurodance classic, but somehow it works.

Here's what we're covering:

• Why Haddaway's upbeat dance anthem has an unexpectedly vampire-themed music video

• The low-budget effects, reverse-motion footage, dramatic zooms, and bizarre dance sequences that make the video uniquely '90s

• How the mansion featured in the video later appeared as Wayne Manor in Batman Begins

• The surprising story of how Haddaway became a singer despite not originally planning a career as a performer

• Why vampires became so seductive in movies and pop culture, especially during the 1990s

• How Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan, and the Roxbury guys on Saturday Night Live gave “What Is Love” an entirely new cultural identity

• The unexpected connection between the Roxbury head-bob and Rob Zombie's “Dragula” music video

• Whether this is a genuinely good music video or simply a strange visual companion to an unforgettable song

Before diving into Haddaway, Adam and Rob also catch up on recent concerts, including Smashing Pumpkins, Olivia Rodrigo, and Babymetal, and discuss the live performances that can change someone's life.

Then it's trivia time as Adam challenges Rob to Haddaway or Ace of Base? From “The Sign” and “All That She Wants” to unexpected covers, Grammy nominations, and record-breaking album sales, how much does Rob really know about these two '90s European pop sensations?

More than 30 years later, “What Is Love” remains an instantly recognizable classic. Whether you remember it from European dance clubs, MTV, or three guys bobbing their heads on Saturday Night Live, there's no denying its lasting place in pop culture.

Listen to Rewind & React wherever you get your podcasts, and let us know what music video we should revisit next.

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This week on Rewind & React, Adam and Rob head into spooky season with Rob Zombie’s “Dragula,” the first single from his debut solo album Hellbilly Deluxe.

We break down the video’s rapid-fire mix of old horror-film footage, bizarre characters, deliberately cheap effects, psychedelic colors and the coffin-inspired hot rod at the center of it all. It may look sinister, but underneath the makeup and monsters is something much more playful, campy and wonderfully ridiculous.

Along the way, we get into:

• Why “Dragula” takes its name from an episode of The Munsters
• The vintage horror footage and imagery scattered throughout the video
• The Christopher Lee sample hiding at the beginning of the song
• Zombie’s memorable makeup, costumes and larger-than-life visual style
• Why his concerts may be even more theatrical than his music videos
• How “Dragula” was added late in the making of Hellbilly Deluxe and built around a tiny distorted guitar fragment
• Why the frantic editing works so well with the song’s pounding industrial-metal sound

Then it’s time for trivia as Adam puts Rob through Rob Zombie or Marilyn Manson? From Sweet Dreams and House of 1000 Corpses to Powerman 5000, David Lynch, Alice Cooper and Grammy nominations, Rob tries to determine which shock-rock icon did what.

It’s campy, chaotic, loud and unmistakably Rob Zombie.

Listen to Rewind & React wherever you get your podcasts, and send us the music video you think we should rewind next at RewindAndReact.com.

This week, Rewind & React rewinds to 1994 for the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage,” the Spike Jonze-directed music video that turns MCA, Mike D, and Ad-Rock into the stars of the most over-the-top 1970s cop show that never existed.

Adam and Rob break down why the video’s grainy, low-budget look, frantic camera work, ridiculous characters, and completely straight-faced performances work so perfectly with one of the Beastie Boys’ most explosive songs.

Here’s what we’re covering:

• How Spike Jonze recreated the look and feel of a vintage ’70s police drama

• The fake names, wigs, mustaches, car chases, rooftop pursuits, dummies, and other wonderfully unnecessary action

• The guerrilla-style production — including the story of two cameras that didn’t survive the shoot

• Why the video has almost nothing to do with the lyrics but somehow matches the energy of “Sabotage” perfectly

• The repeating musical riff that drives the song and the music-theory term behind it

• How “Sabotage” influenced filmmakers including Danny Boyle

• MCA’s infamous appearance at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards as his alter ego Nathaniel Hörnblowér

• The Beastie Boys’ willingness to disappear completely into characters rather than simply promote themselves

• Some of the real Los Angeles filming locations you can still visit today

Plus, Adam puts Rob through a new round of trivia: Beastie Boys or Run-D.M.C.? From Adidas deals and Rolling Stone covers to Grammy history, Madonna tours, and hip-hop milestones, can Rob tell which legendary group did it first?

More than 30 years later, “Sabotage” still feels fast, funny, inventive, and completely unlike almost anything else in music-video history. It doesn’t just parody a cheesy cop show — it commits to becoming one.

Listen to the full episode of Rewind & React, then let us know what music video we should rewind next.

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Rewind & React takes on one of Madonna’s most iconic music videos: “Express Yourself” — a bold, glamorous, industrial pop spectacle that may just be her best video ever.

Adam and Rob dive into the 1989 classic, directed by David Fincher, and explore how Madonna turned a dance-pop empowerment anthem into a massive MTV event filled with towering factory sets, gender-bending style, old Hollywood glamour, and a whole lot of Metropolis-inspired imagery.

Here’s what we’re covering:

• The video’s loose but memorable story — Madonna ruling over an industrial city while a factory worker finds his way into her world
• How Fritz Lang’s Metropolis influences the sets, lighting, class divide, machinery, and famous closing quote
• Why this feels like peak Madonna: powerful, glamorous, provocative, theatrical, and fully in control
• David Fincher’s music video style — and how this connects to his later work with Madonna, Paula Abdul, and eventually his film career
• The video’s massive reported $5 million budget, MTV premiere strategy, and place alongside other “event videos” like Thriller and Black or White
• The striking visual shifts between Madonna as businesswoman, seductress, masculine performer, and pop icon
• The strange-but-memorable details: the cat, the milk, the chains, the shirtless workers, the rain-soaked factory, and the Monopoly-man-style boss watching it all unfold
• How the music video version uses a different mix of the song — and why the track blends Motown energy with late-80s pop production

And of course, the episode wraps with a round of Madonna or Janet Jackson? — a trivia showdown covering MTV awards, movie roles, iconic albums, shocking moments, and two of the biggest pop queens of the era.

“Express Yourself” is more than just a great Madonna video — it’s the moment where she fully steps into the role of pop music power player. And this episode breaks down exactly why it still works.

Stream it now and subscribe to Rewind & React for more deep dives into the most iconic, strange, and unforgettable music videos ever made.

Rewind & React rewinds to one of Shakira’s wildest early crossover videos with a deep dive into “Objection (Tango).”
Adam and Rob revisit the Dave Meyers-directed video that blends tango, rock performance, animation, superhero parody, and full-on revenge fantasy into one chaotic early-2000s music video ride.

Here’s what we’re covering:

• The dramatic tango opening and how it sets up the story of betrayal, jealousy, and revenge
• Why “Objection” stands out from many of Shakira’s other videos by giving us a full narrative instead of just a performance showcase
• The unmistakable Dave Meyers visual style — cool metallic tones, crushed blacks, industrial textures, and that surreal early-2000s music video polish
• How the video jumps between genres, from tango drama to rock performance to comic-book fantasy to absurd comedy
• Shakira’s rocker-inspired look, from ripped tights and baggy jeans to the blonde hair with dark streaks that defined this era
• The ridiculous but memorable superhero twist, complete with off-brand Batman and Superman figures helping Shakira take down the cheating couple
• How “Objection” helped show Shakira’s range as she moved deeper into the English-language pop market after already becoming a major star in Latin music

Plus, Adam and Rob dig into the video’s animated fight sequence, the strange Batman-villain torture wheel, real Los Angeles filming locations, and have a Shakira or Bad Bunny trivia game.

From tango heartbreak to comic-book revenge, “Objection” isn’t just a breakup video — it’s Shakira turning jealousy into a full-blown action fantasy.

Stream the episode now and subscribe for more deep dives into the music videos that shaped pop culture.

Rewind & React rewinds to the dawn of the 2010s party-pop era with a deep dive into Kesha’s breakout music video for “TiK ToK.”
Adam and Rob revisit the glitter-covered chaos, bathtub wakeups, gold Trans Am energy, and messy house-party visuals that introduced Kesha as pop’s ultimate anti-polished party girl.

Here’s what we’re covering:

• The arrival of Kesha’s early persona — messy, rebellious, funny, chaotic, and completely different from the glossy pop stars around her
• Why the “TiK ToK” video feels like a never-ending party loop, from waking up in a bathtub to ending up right back in another one
• How the video captures the Great Recession-era need for escapism, cheap thrills, house parties, and “no consequences” fun
• The visual details that make the video memorable — the golden bicycle, the boom box trade, the gold Pontiac Trans Am, the police scene, the packed house party, and the camcorder-style chaos
• How “TiK ToK” became the perfect introduction to a new decade before TikTok meant anything other than Kesha’s massive pop single

Plus, Adam and Rob dig into Kesha’s songwriting background, her early appearances before fame, the Syndrome-directed video, Simon Rex’s cameo, and why the song’s simple, ridiculous, highly singable structure made it impossible to escape.

From bottle-of-Jack lyrics to glitter-drenched house parties, “TiK ToK” wasn’t just Kesha’s debut moment — it was the opening shot of the 2010s party-pop explosion.

Stream the episode now and subscribe for more deep dives into the music videos that shaped pop culture.

Rewind & React continues the artists-with-dollar-signs series with A$AP Rocky’s “Tailor Swif” (not to be confused with Taylor Swift) — a surreal, glitchy, and wildly unpredictable music video that feels like an Adult Swim sketch, a TikTok feed, and a high-fashion fever dream all rolled into one.

Adam and Rob break down the 2024 release, filmed in Ukraine in 2021, and explore how Rocky drifts through a world of upside-down urinals, suited dogs, wine-drinking rabbits, flying objects, warped bodies, penguin boxing matches, and one very strange giant toe.

Here’s what we’re covering:

The rapid-fire, vignette-driven structure — and why the video feels more like chaotic internet browsing than a traditional narrative
The Adult Swim energy of the visuals, from surreal animals to impossible physical gags
How practical effects, 16mm film, miniatures, and real-world stunt setups make the video feel stranger than CGI
Why filming in Kyiv before the war gives the video an unexpected visual and historical texture
The “Tailor Swif” title itself — from the missing “T” to the clickbait, SEO-friendly joke behind it referencing Taylor Swift
How the video balances absurd comedy, high-fashion cool, and A$AP Rocky’s relaxed presence in the middle of total visual chaos

Plus, the episode wraps with a round of ASAP Rocky or Taylor Swift? — a trivia showdown covering Grammy's, fashion campaigns, high-profile relationships, Easter eggs, album masters, and one very famous scarf.

“Tailor Swif” may not tell a clean story, but that’s exactly the point. It’s a strange, stylish, post-internet spectacle — and this episode shows why it works.

Stream it now and subscribe for more Rewind & React deep dives into the weirdest, wildest, and most memorable music videos.

Rewind & React dives into the hyper-chaotic, internet-fueled world of bbno$’s “1-800” — a music video that feels less like a story and more like a scrolling feed brought to life.

Adam and Rob break down how this absurd, rapid-fire visual captures the evolution of music videos in the post-TikTok era, where the artist isn’t just the star — they’re the product.

Here’s what we’re covering:

• The non-narrative, vignette-style structure — and how it mirrors TikTok editing and short-form content consumption
• The role of Ironmouse and VTuber culture — blending digital identity with modern music stardom
• How the video satirizes capitalism, branding, and the idea of the artist as a sellable product
• The low-budget, high-creativity approach — and why chaos, quick cuts, and center-framing keep it engaging
  Visual callbacks and influences, including similarities to Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer” and other MTV-era experimentation
• The rise of SoundCloud artists like bbno$ — and how platforms have reshaped the path to success without traditional labels

Plus, the episode wraps with a trivia showdown all about songs with numbers in the title — featuring everything from “867-5309/Jenny” to “99 Luftballons” and beyond.

“1-800” isn’t trying to tell a clean story — it’s a post-internet spectacle. And this episode explores exactly why that works.

Stream now and follow along as Rewind & React explores the new wave of music video chaos.

Rewind & React rewinds to one of the most inventive music videos of the early 2000s with a deep dive into Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Californication.”
Adam and Rob break down the video game-inspired visual that turned the band into playable characters and captured the surreal, chaotic dream of California at the height of PlayStation-era culture.

Here’s what we’re covering:

• The groundbreaking concept of turning a music video into a fully immersive video game world — complete with character selection screens and level-based storytelling
  How the video mirrors the song’s themes of Hollywood illusion, cultural decay, and the dark side of the California dream
  
• The influence of early 2000s gaming — from Crazy Taxi to Cool Boarders — and how it shaped the look, feel, and pacing of the video
  
• Why the constantly shifting environments — from oceans to mountains to cityscapes — keep the video engaging from start to finish
  
• The deeper meaning behind the destruction at the end, and how it reflects the cracks beneath the surface of fame and fantasy.

Plus, Adam and Rob dive into behind-the-scenes details, including the last-minute graphic upgrades inspired by the PlayStation 2 launch, the directors behind the video, and the small Easter eggs that give it lasting value.

From pixelated avatars to cultural commentary, “Californication” isn’t just a music video — it’s a playable vision of a world that’s as alluring as it is unstable.

Stream the episode now and subscribe for more deep dives into the music videos that shaped pop culture.

Rewind & React returns to the world of Britney Spears with one of the most stylish and inventive pop videos of the 2000s: Toxic.

Adam and Rob break down the slick, spy-movie inspired visual that helped cement Britney’s status as a full-blown pop icon and pushed the boundaries of what a mainstream music video could look like.

Directed by Joseph Kahn, the video plays like a mini action film—complete with disguises, secret missions, and one of the most unforgettable outfits in pop video history.

Here’s what we’re covering:

• The high-concept spy narrative and how the video blends action-movie storytelling with pop spectacle

• The multiple disguises Britney uses throughout the video and how each scene escalates the fantasy

• The instantly iconic diamond-covered bodysuit and why it became one of the most recognizable looks of the 2000s

• Joseph Kahn’s cinematic direction and the film influences that shape the video’s style

• The airplane scene, poison kiss, and other moments that make the video feel like a pop-music thriller

Along the way, Adam and Rob dig into behind-the-scenes details, discuss why the video still feels so visually ambitious today, and explore how “Toxic” became one of Britney’s most celebrated songs—earning her a Grammy Awards win and solidifying the track as a defining pop moment of the decade.

From espionage fantasies to unforgettable fashion moments, “Toxic” proves that a music video can be just as thrilling as the song itself.

Stream the episode now, and don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to keep the rewind going.