1. EachPod

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
Share to:
Natalie Imbruglia

Natalie Imbruglia "Torn" (w/ Georgia Mooney)

Michael tells the story of the Australian singer/songwriter/actor/model's fateful, circuitous 1997 global pop megahit. Georgia Mooney joins the conversation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo…

01:19:06  |   Thu 14 Sep 2023
The Darkness

The Darkness "I Believe in a Thing Called Love"

Michael tells the story of the English glam rock revival band's 2003 flashy, falsettoed smash

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

01:00:58  |   Thu 31 Aug 2023
Joan Osborne

Joan Osborne "One of Us" (w/ Franny Thomas)

Theo tells the story of the New-York-City-by-way-of-Kentucky singer/songwriter's 1995 contemplative, existential radio staple. Franny Thomas joins the conversation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri…

01:04:54  |   Fri 18 Aug 2023
Santana feat. Rob Thomas

Santana feat. Rob Thomas "Smooth" Part 2 (w/ Dave Holmes)

2 of 2 parts: Michael tells the story of the improbable 1999 sensation by San Francisco genre-spanning rock band Santana and Matchbox 20 frontman Rob Thomas. Dave Holmes joins the conversation.

Hoste…

01:08:34  |   Fri 04 Aug 2023
Santana feat. Rob Thomas

Santana feat. Rob Thomas "Smooth" Part 1 (w/ Dave Holmes)

1 of 2 parts: Michael tells the story of the improbable 1999 sensation by San Francisco genre-spanning rock band Santana and Matchbox 20 frontman Rob Thomas. Dave Holmes joins the conversation.

Host…

00:41:45  |   Mon 31 Jul 2023
Re-Hit: Aqua

Re-Hit: Aqua "Barbie Girl"

In time for the 'Barbie' movie release, we are revisiting our 2022 episode about the Danish-Norwegian bubblegum dance/Europop group's 1997 global smash "Barbie Girl," with a new addendum about the so…

01:13:36  |   Fri 21 Jul 2023
Rupert Holmes

Rupert Holmes "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)"

Theo tells the story of the British-American soft rock jack-of-all-trades' clever, breezy 1979 chart-topper

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

00:37:49  |   Wed 12 Jul 2023
Buster Poindexter

Buster Poindexter "Hot Hot Hot"

Michael tells the story of the New York City musical chameleon's 1987 calypso crossover smash.

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

01:09:13  |   Sat 01 Jul 2023
Fastball

Fastball "The Way" (w/ Josh Terry)

Theo tells the story of Austin, Texas alternative rock band Fastball's peculiar and tragic 1998 hit "The Way." Music journalist Josh Terry joins the conversation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva…

01:09:14  |   Fri 16 Jun 2023
Pinkfong

Pinkfong "Baby Shark"

Michael tells the story of the South Korean educational corporation mascot's American folk-song-turned-digital-age-kids-music phenomenon.

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

01:03:01  |   Thu 01 Jun 2023
Baz Luhrmann

Baz Luhrmann "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)"

Theo tells the story of the Australian film director's 1999 inspirational spoken-word, slow-burn hit.

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

01:24:49  |   Tue 09 May 2023
Eiffel 65

Eiffel 65 "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" [DJ Ponte Ice Pop Mix]

Michael tells the story of the Italian Eurodance trio's hypnotically goofy 1998 global smash.

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

01:15:09  |   Fri 21 Apr 2023
Napoleon XIV

Napoleon XIV "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haa!"

Theo tells the story of the eccentric American singer/songwriter, musician, composer, and producer Jerry Samuels a.k.a. Napoleon XIV's offbeat 1966 hit

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

00:52:03  |   Sat 08 Apr 2023
Weezer

Weezer "Buddy Holly" (w/ Amr Kotb)

Michael tells the story of the enigmatic Los Angeles alternative rock band's iconic 1994 breakout hit. Amr Kotb joins the conversation.

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

01:08:28  |   Fri 17 Mar 2023
Taco

Taco "Puttin' on the Ritz"

Theo tells the story of the Indonesian-Dutch singer's 1982 version of Irving Berlin's complicated 1927 song.

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

01:08:28  |   Mon 27 Feb 2023
The Knack

The Knack "My Sharona"

Theo tells the story of the LA power pop band's low-brow 1979 phenomenon

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

01:04:47  |   Fri 10 Feb 2023
Suzanne Vega & DNA

Suzanne Vega & DNA "Tom's Diner"

Michael tells the story of the unlikely 1990 "collaboration" between New York folk-rocker Suzanne Vega and British production duo DNA

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

01:05:09  |   Thu 19 Jan 2023
Band Aid

Band Aid "Do They Know It's Christmas?"

Theo tells the story of the star-studded UK pop supergroup's 1984 holiday charity smash

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

00:55:07  |   Thu 22 Dec 2022
Devo

Devo "Whip It" (w/ Alex Goldman)

Michael tells the story of the Ohio new wave/post-punk pioneers' deceptively layered 1980 hit. Alex Goldman joins the conversation.

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

01:02:57  |   Wed 14 Dec 2022
The Proclaimers

The Proclaimers "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)"

Theo tells the story of the Scottish twin brothers' 1987 (and 1993) folk-punk pub rock phenomenon

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

00:57:48  |   Mon 14 Nov 2022
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are the property of Michael Smith. This content is not affiliated with or endorsed by eachpod.com.