You Wanted a Hit!
A discussion of unlikely, perplexing, and positively bizarre hit songs that swept the nation, and often the world. Have you ever heard a classic song and thought, "why on Earth was this popular?" Or "How did this even get played on the radio?" Well, we're here to answer these questions for you. Each episode we will explore the backstory, creation, and success of one unlikely smash hit. The catch? Only one host knows which song will be the topic. Hosted by music fanatics and pop culture enthusiasts Michael Smith and Theo Beidler.
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- Update frequency
- every 17 days
- Average duration
- 63 minutes
- Episodes
- 90
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
Dire Straits "Sultans of Swing" (w/ Steve Sladkowski of PUP)
Michael tells the story of the English band's 1978 breakout pub-rock hit. Steve Sladkowski, lead guitarist of PUP, joins the conversation.
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01:33:19 |
Thu 07 Aug 2025
Spin Doctors "Two Princes"
Theo tells the story of the jammy New York pop-rock band's inescapable 1991 smash.
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01:24:35 |
Thu 24 Jul 2025
Discussion: Top Albums of 2025 So Far
Michael and Theo try something new and discuss their respective five favorite albums of the year thus far.
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00:59:43 |
Tue 08 Jul 2025
Harvey Danger "Flagpole Sitta" Part 2 (w/ Matt Gudernatch)
2 of 2 parts: Michael tells the story of the journalistic Seattle alternative rock band's snarky yet snappy 1997 smash. Actor, writer, and comedian Matt Gudernatch joins the conversation.
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01:08:27 |
Sat 21 Jun 2025
Harvey Danger "Flagpole Sitta" Part 1 (w/ Matt Gudernatch)
1 of 2 parts: Michael tells the story of the journalistic Seattle alternative rock band's snarky yet snappy 1997 smash. Actor, writer, and comedian Matt Gudernatch joins the conversation.
Hosted on …
00:51:50 |
Fri 13 Jun 2025
Jill Sobule "I Kissed a Girl"
Theo tells the story of the Denver singer-songwriter's witty, groundbreaking 1995 gay anthem
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01:01:08 |
Wed 28 May 2025
Jimmy Dean "I.O.U."
Michael tells the story of the Texas singer/songwriter, actor, TV host, and meat purveyor's 1976 sentimental spoken-word ode to moms
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00:58:54 |
Thu 08 May 2025
Frank & Moon Zappa "Valley Girl" (w/ Eliza Thorn)
Theo tells the story of the LA-via-Baltimore musical iconoclast and his daughter's 1982 novelty hit that forever changed American vernacular. Nashville singer/songwriter Eliza Thorn joins the convers…
01:28:30 |
Thu 24 Apr 2025
Nada Surf "Popular" (w/ Sofia Loporcaro)
Michael tells the story of the New York City alternative rock band's 1996 sarcastic, spoken-word singalong. Podcaster and music journalist Sofia Loporcaro joins the conversation.
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01:22:02 |
Tue 01 Apr 2025
Fine Young Cannibals "She Drives Me Crazy"
Theo tells the story of the Birmingham, England pop rock band's genre-defying 1989 chart-topper
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01:11:47 |
Fri 14 Mar 2025
Re-Hit: Buster Poindexter "Hot Hot Hot"
In light of David Johansen's passing earlier this week, we are revisiting our 2023 episode about his alter-ego's 1987 calypso crossover smash “Hot Hot Hot.”
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01:09:46 |
Thu 06 Mar 2025
Deniece Williams "Let's Hear It for the Boy"
Michael tells the story of the Indiana singer's 1984 last-minute soundtrack smash
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01:02:57 |
Tue 18 Feb 2025
Richard Harris "MacArthur Park"
Theo tells the story of the Irish actor's 1967 epic pop crooner turn that started a cultural domino effect.
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00:57:02 |
Fri 31 Jan 2025
Gerardo "Rico Suave"
Michael tells the story of the Ecuadorian rapper's 1990 alter-ego bilingual blockbuster.
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01:05:13 |
Thu 16 Jan 2025
The Waitresses "Christmas Wrapping"
Theo tells the story of the Ohio new wave band's distinctively cool 1981 Christmas classic, with a bonus dive into Kurtis Blow's 1979 holiday hip hop hit "Christmas Rappin'."
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00:50:43 |
Sat 21 Dec 2024
EMF "Unbelievable" (w/ Illiterate Light)
Michael tells the story of the English alternative rock band's classic, chaotic 1991 chart-topper. Virginia rock band Illiterate Light joins the conversation.
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01:27:04 |
Fri 13 Dec 2024
Bobby McFerrin "Don't Worry, Be Happy"
Theo tells the story of the groundbreaking New York City vocalist/composer/improviser's 1988 a cappella chart-topper
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01:03:04 |
Wed 27 Nov 2024
Shawn Mullins "Lullaby" (w/ Golden Everything)
Michael tells the story of the Georgia singer-songwriter's mysteriously specific 1998 semi-spoken-word smash. Nashville folk duo Golden Everything joins the conversation.
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01:19:12 |
Thu 14 Nov 2024
Mike Oldfield "Tubular Bells" (from The Exorcist)
Theo tells the story of the British musician's epic, genre-spanning 1973 opus that went on to become part of horror film history.
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00:54:12 |
Wed 30 Oct 2024
The Greg Kihn Band "Jeopardy"
Theo tells the story of the Bay Area pop rock band's 1983 funky heartbreak hit
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00:53:02 |
Wed 16 Oct 2024
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