Rewind the Tape Player

Delivering daily doses of nostalgia. Submit your music memory or 90s throwback now via the drop down menu to the top left of the page.

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Ode to the Girls who Spiced our childhood lives...

That's right we're talking about possibly the greatest girl group of the 90s if not ever, The Spice Girls. Sporty, Scary, Posh, Ginger and Baby (poor Baby, always seems to be last) formed the iconic British Quintet that took the world by storm! Or spice, as it may be.

Breaking through the charts in the year 1996 with 'Wannabe', the girls became an instant success. Songs such as 2 become 1, Spice Up Your Life and Stop, to name a few, soared to the top of the charts as well.

Not only was their music just freakin awesome, so were there outfits. Oh the outfits. Surprisingly what is donned by the girls in the above photo is quite tame for the girls in their hey day. Their genral go to outfits were as follows:

Scary >> rocking some sort of leopard print ensemble with a killer afro

Baby >> pretty in pink with her matching 'larger than life' platform sneakers (as above) and pigtails - always pigtails

Posh >> in all her elegance would definitely be wearing a designer LBD or something lacey (see above she has combined the two)

Ginger >> did she she ever wear anything that not have a sequened Union Jack plastered all over it?

Sporty >> oh Sporty, mixing comfort and style. Typical outfit = bright crop top, hectically high ponytail and nylon trackies. Nice. 

As much as we laugh at the styles I'm pretty sure every young girl between the ages of 5 and 15 wanted to be one! Young girls around the world sung their little hearts out all of the songs and undoubtedly had all the merch! (One of us here at RTTP rocked a Spice Girls bum bag circa 1998, need we say more??)

Then there was the movie and it also had it all; from bomb scares, to pregnant best friends, to aliens, to almost breaking up they really covered a lot of ground. I almost forgot to mention the Spice Bus! Yes, the Spice Bus! Among other things the bus included a swing set, a catwalk, an elliptical trainer, a fish tank, a fire pole, vanity mirrors, not to mention a whole team of people to help you run your life - seriously what more could you want?!

We could write about the Spice Girls for pages and pages, for many kids growing up in the 90s their cultural power can still be seen today. Here at RTTP we love listening to their old tunes as it brings up such good memories. 

**note: the 1998 departure of Geri 'Ginger' Halliwell from the group has not been detailed in this post as for those of us who remember that fateful day, we do not want to relive it. 

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RTTP Spotlight Listener: Geoff, 28

My music memory of this song reminds me of my early teen years. My dad had just bought a brand new Bose surround sound system and he explained to me 'Son, you don't know music until you have heard it on this'. The first song he played on full blast was this one: Shine on You Crazy Diamond, it changed my whole perception of music. To this day if I play it it has to be at full volume! 

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The RTTP 90s Throwback

If you're anything like us here at RTTP, when you press play on this track it will transport your mind back to watching 10 Things I Hate About You, one of our favourite 90s flicks!

Originally this song was written and recorded by 1970s band Cheap Trick and was then rerecorded with a slightly edgier, more modern twist by Letters Cleo in 1999. Don't know about you guys but I think the cover wins this one - probably just because it reminds us of drooling over a young Heath Ledger.

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"Really though, what is music’s purpose if not to be the one tangible thing that we can always rely on to invoke emotion, create energy and move the spirit? We all cling to a different religion or none at all. We each have a different approach to art or none at all, but who on earth can say that there is not one type of music that they embrace? One genre or sound - even the music that the ocean waves create when they crash to the shore - that doesn’t build feeling or whisper peacefulness to them? Even the hearing impaired have learned to feel music and that could possibly reach light years beyond what we feel. As Dashboard Confessional came up on Shuffle today, my first thought was not that my tastes no longer care for the music, but instead, I was immediately brought back to that seventeen, eighteen, nineteen year old me. The one that desperately reached for any kind of belonging, stability and identity. I find it so odd how you can forget such feelings so rapidly and maybe even completely until that one song, that one album, that one voice or band can bring you back in two seconds flat. In that moment, you transcend time and those last six or seven years have meant nothing at all. Hearing that song is like seeing your best friend after ten years of not speaking and starting up exactly where you left off, without a flinch or a second thought. Sweet nostalgia; bittersweet nostalgia. Music is both a blessing and a curse: a blessing because nothing in the world is better than it and a curse because nothing in the world will ever be better than it."

jennhasfeet: fellow Tumblr addict.

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Music is a total constant. That’s why we have such a strong visceral connection to it, you know? Because a song can take you back instantly to a moment, or a place, or even a person. No matter what else has changed in your or the world, that one song says the same, just like that moment.

Sarah Dessen, Just Listen (via quotethat)

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The RTTP 90s Throwback

Okay, we'll level with you - we're kinda cheating with this one since it was released in 2000, and not in the 90s, but I think we can bend the rules just this once.

Where to begin with Teenage Dirtbag? This song seriously epitomises everything about youth and unrequited love. I know we're probably generalising here, but RTTP thinks that we could easily say everyone knows the lyrics to this one. Particularly the little breakdown in which everyone puts on their best girly voice and sings 'I've got two tickets to Iron Maiden baby, come with me Friday, don't say maybe...'

Wheatus struck gold with this song, and it sat at the top of the Australian charts for 4 whole weeks, becoming the second highest single of the year! And we also can't forget that it was the most prominent song on the soundtrack of Loser - it basically spells out a lot of what the movie was all about; a dorky college kid (played by Jason Biggs, who else) having to cope with studying, being in a big city...oh and falling in love with Mena Suvari. It's a scenario I think a lot of people can relate to in their teens.

So hit play, and enjoy this (rule breaking) tune. Quick shout out to our friend Georgie for the suggestion as well!

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Ode to Justin Timberlake's Hair...

Now we could have dedicated a post to Justin Timberlake's stellar music career, but we at RTTP figured that there was something equally iconic that deserved its own 'ode to' while still keeping JT involved. And so we dedicate this post to the ever-changing creature that is - Justin Timberlake's hair.

Early 2000 - Cornrows

JT was at the peak of his N*SYNC boy-band days; considered a heart-throb by many young teenage girls. We'd like to think his new found superstar status was the catalyst for trying something a little 'out of the ordinary'. Probably wishful thinking, JT maintains his whitest man alive mantle.

Late 2000 - Ramen Hair [pt. I]

Ah the ramen noodle hair phase. Curly on top. Dark underneath. Frosted tips. Perfection! This hairstyle spurred on a whole host of hilarious meme's still around today

2001 - Sleek and Sophisticated

JT unveiled a more mature look - possibly foreshadowing his move into a solo career with a more mature sound. A small glimpse into what was to come in the future.

Early 2002 - Ramen, [pt. II]

Why JT, why?! You nearly had it and you let it all slip away again. I wonder if the return of this hairstyle was Brittney's idea...

2004 - Au Naturale

Ah Justin, finally we're beginning to see the man you truly are. This short, naturally coloured hairstyle represents the start of JT domination - suave and effortless, much like the main man himself.

Late 2006 - Shortaaaay

Go on wit ya bad self JT. Gone are the days of the curly ramen hair, Justin has finally come into his own and found a look that suits that beautiful bone structure of his. Girls hearts are melting worldwide.

Present - Mmmmm

Much like a fine wine, it all gets better with age. Besties with Jimmy Fallon, married to Jessica Biel, new album out and world tour under wraps. The man has it all. Some may say this is due to his immense talent, but we know better - it's all in the hair, that sweet sweet hair...

Gentlemen, good night. And ladies, good morning.

[butiknownothing]

The Music re-experience

Sometimes it is really hard to casually listen to music that has been listened to in the past. 

A song is like a a spiderweb. When it clicks, it inhales every thought and every feeling from the time, the place, and the experience during the time in which it clicks; it captures them into an association that changes both the experience and the music for the involvement of each other. And they almost become inseparable. 

Most of the time, this is beautiful and fantastic.

Some other times though, I don’t think we want to relieve the past.

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Georgina (23, Wollongong)

Forever Young reminds me of the first time I got a little bit drunk. I had joined the teens around my area in sneaking out late at night to go and drink by the lake. As I snuck back into my bedroom quietly, trying not to wake my parents I fell into my bed and my head was spinning with the nostalgic sounds of Forever Young playing in the background. I had a deep moment where I realised that this moment symbolised the end of my youth, or my innocence.

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RTTP Spotlight Listener: Keiran (26, Nowra)

On a family to road trip holiday to QLD when I was young my sister and I sang this song literally the entire trip (which was a good 13 hours or so); I think we drove our parents nuts! To this day my family still jokes about it. 

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RTTP Spotlight Listener: Elliot (22, Wollongong)

When I represented the Independent Australian Schools Under 16s for Rugby this song was played constantly during one of our trips. We played it before each game in the sheds. Every time I hear it I'm reminded of all these footballers  psyching up, pre game, singing the Veronicas. 

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RTTP Spotlight Listener: Gabby (23, Manly)

Seeing Bon Iver live was undoubtedly the best concert I have been to and the most amazing musical experience I have experienced. I had just finished high school and my final HSC exams so I was completely relaxed and stress free. Hearing this song takes me straight back to that place. 

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The RTTP 90s Throwback

For most, hearing the first 5 seconds of Noel Gallagher's sweet guitar chords is all it takes to recognise this weeks 90s throwback. Wonderwall: arguably one of the most popular/famous/influential/just plain awesome songs of its decade/all time.

Released in 1995 by British rock band Oasis, the track soared to the top of the charts worldwide and has had a long lasting presence in the ears of listeners in the decades since. For Aussie readers, Wonderwall came in at number one on Triple J's Hottest 100 of the past 20 years, not too shabby at all!

The track has been remixed and sampled countless times by acts such as Jay-Z, Knife Party and Ryan Adams, over numerous genres. It is a song that everyone seems to know; one that you find yourself singing along too, regardless of where you are. 

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RTTP Spotlight Listener: Keely (21, Sydney)

When I hear this song I think of summer, beers and happy times. It reminds me most of Australia Day when it came in at number 1 in the Triple J Hottest 100 - a day that I would deem one of the happiest moments of my life.

It makes me think of my two best friends and ultimately reminds me that life is so good.

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RTTP Spotlight Listener: Mae (23, Blue Mountains)

When thinking of a nostalgic music memory my mind instantly went back to being about 5 or 6 years old and dancing around the house with my parents. They were musicians so we used to listen to a whole range of stuff! The Brand New Heavies were one of our favourites, full of soul and funk. This song was always my favourite, I think because of the lyrics that just make your feel carefree. Back then of course I was carefree and it was just a cool tune to dance around the house to! 

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RTTP Spotlight Listener: Victoria (42, Bathurst)

Whenever I hear this song it takes me back to my first girls trip a away, without parents in year 12; a week in a unit in Sydney left completely to our own devices! Great laughs, lots of shopping and a few little tifs when some boys from school and a French sailor tried to crash! Hearing Crowded House reminds me of those crazy times, which are quite innocent when I look back on them. 

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Ode to the Discman...

Here at RTTP we are huge fans of the 90s and have so many music memories from the decade...so in another wave of nostalgia we would like to dedicate this post to the oh so cool Discman which allowed many of us to listen to our classic 90s beats in such style and convenience. 

Hitting the scene in the late 80s the Discman (or maybe some of you had a Walkman - same dif) definitely made you the coolest kid on the block, being able to listen to your music on the go, wherever and whenever you want! Hello convenience! I'm sure many of you had some funky accessories too - think wrap around the ear headphones, think an accompanying fluro yellow portable CD holder and think that sexy protection case/pouch thing (probably made from some sort of faux suede material) noice. 

As much as we laugh at our old portable CD players they really did change the way we listen to music. My parents will undoubtedly testament to the fact that the moment I was given a discman, car trips were a lot more silent...and peaceful, cheers Sony.