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You Wanted a Hit! - Podcast

You Wanted a Hit!

 Michael Smith

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pop Radio Music Commentary Music Music History
Update frequency
every 17 days
Average duration
63 minutes
Episodes
90
Years Active
2021 - 2025
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Bob Carlisle

Bob Carlisle "Butterfly Kisses"

Michael tells the story of the California Christian adult contemporary singer's 1997 crossover ballad

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01:06:22  |   Tue 01 Oct 2024
The Rembrandts

The Rembrandts "I'll Be There for You"

Theo tells the story of the American pop-rock duo's short-but-sweet 1995 TV-theme smash

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00:56:58  |   Thu 22 Aug 2024
Starland Vocal Band

Starland Vocal Band "Afternoon Delight"

Michael tells the story of the Washington, DC singing group's 1976 epochal, deceptively low-brow chart-topper. [WARNING: Contains explicit content; listener discretion is advised.]

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01:14:23  |   Thu 08 Aug 2024
Iron Butterfly

Iron Butterfly "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"

Theo tells the story of the California prog proto-metal band's epic 1968 sleeper hit

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00:54:09  |   Mon 15 Jul 2024
LFO

LFO "Summer Girls" (w/ Liz Riggs)

Theo tells the story of the Massachusetts boy band's head-scratching, pop-culture-referencing 1999 rap-pop surprise hit. Novelist Liz Riggs joins the conversation.

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01:23:58  |   Thu 27 Jun 2024
Rebecca Black

Rebecca Black "Friday"

Michael tells the story of the Orange County singer's 2011 polarizing, perhaps misunderstood, viral phenomenon

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01:12:39  |   Fri 14 Jun 2024
They Might Be Giants

They Might Be Giants "Boss of Me"

Theo tells the story of the quirky Brooklyn-via-Massachusetts cult alt-rock band's 2000 ska-inflected, Grammy-winning TV theme song.

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01:08:38  |   Wed 15 May 2024
Fatboy Slim

Fatboy Slim "Praise You" (w/ Steve Reidell of The Hood Internet)

Michael tells the story of the UK big beat DJ and producer's sample-heavy, star-making 1998 smash. Steve Reidell of The Hood Internet joins the conversation.

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01:36:57  |   Wed 01 May 2024
Tag Team

Tag Team "Whoomp! (There It Is)" / 95 South "Whoot, There It Is"

Double episode! Theo tells the stories of the coincidentally(?) competing 1993 hip-hop hits. [WARNING: Contains explicit content; listener discretion is advised.]



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01:25:24  |   Tue 09 Apr 2024
Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson "Chattahoochee"

Michael tells the story of the Georgia country superstar's 1993 slangy summertime calling card

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01:07:05  |   Thu 14 Mar 2024
Melanie

Melanie "Brand New Key"

Theo tells the story of Queens folk singer-songwriter Melanie's whimsically controversial 1971 chart-topper

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01:02:59  |   Thu 29 Feb 2024
Len

Len "Steal My Sunshine" (w/ Courtney E. Smith)

Michael tells the story of the Toronto slacker rap-rock band's 1999 disco-sampling hangover hymn. Courtney E. Smith joins the conversation.

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01:32:58  |   Sat 17 Feb 2024
Kim Carnes

Kim Carnes "Bette Davis Eyes"

Theo tells the story of the Los Angeles singer/songwriter's 1981 movie star name-dropping synth-rock chart-topper.

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00:56:47  |   Sat 27 Jan 2024
OMC

OMC "How Bizarre" (w/ Danny Davis of Husbands)

Michael tells the story of the New Zealand Pasifika group's distinctive 1995 global triumph. Husbands frontman Danny Davis joins the conversation.

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00:59:55  |   Thu 11 Jan 2024
The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl

The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl "Fairytale of New York"

Michael tells the story of the Irish/English Celtic folk-punk band's legendary Christmas classic

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01:07:08  |   Sat 16 Dec 2023
Arlo Guthrie

Arlo Guthrie "Alice's Restaurant" (w/ Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie)

Theo tells the story of the wry American folk prince's long-winded 1967 talking-blues Thanksgiving classic. Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie joins the conversation.

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01:00:00  |   Wed 22 Nov 2023
4 Non Blondes

4 Non Blondes "What's Up?"

Theo tells the story of the San Francisco queer, feminist rock band's synonymous 1993 singalong smash

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01:09:02  |   Wed 15 Nov 2023
Wheatus

Wheatus "Teenage Dirtbag" (w/ Jason Hawk Harris)

Michael tells the story of the New York rock band's unexpectedly complex 2000 alternative anthem. Jason Hawk Harris joins the conversation. [WARNING: Contains descriptions of gruesome violence; liste…
01:24:00  |   Mon 30 Oct 2023
Midnight Oil

Midnight Oil "Beds Are Burning"

Michael tells the story of the Sydney post-punk band's electrifying, uniquely Australian 1987 social justice anthem.

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01:15:39  |   Fri 20 Oct 2023
DJ Casper

DJ Casper "Cha-Cha Slide" (or "Casper Slide Part 2")

Theo tells the story of the Chicago house DJ's 2000 instructional line dance phenomenon

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00:48:33  |   Thu 05 Oct 2023
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